Slate Writer

Slate Writer is a Java-based tool that site owners can offer to their visitors, allowing those visitors to create, markup, and share documents in an online environment. Visitors need only their Java capable Web browser to utilize the tool, and can be provided with their own password protected access area with both a public (allowing other users to see and interact with documents they have created) and a private folder for their own work in progress. Additionally, a special "Site" folder contains documents/images for interaction provided by the Web site itself; allowing the site owner to publish, for example, word games, images (such as could be used by the user to create custom greetings), forms, homework assignments, or other types of markup related documents for use by visitors.

The tool itself somewhat resembles a PaintBrush or other image editing interface, with individual drawing tools (including lines, brushes, rectangle, ellipse, fill, alpha characters, etc.) on the left of the console; point-n-click color selection on the right; and action buttons along the bottom. Among the available actions are those pertaining to managing the alterations to the document (undo, clear, delete) and those pertaining to document storing and sharing, including saving the document to disk, sending it via E-Mail or fax, or printing. Additionally, a purchase button allows site owners to allow visitors to purchase what they see within their Slate Writer.

Other features of Slate Writer include the ability of the server component to act as a proxy and "fetch" images provided on a separate site for use in the Slate Writer tool; domain and path-specfic protection (only users accessing the Slate Writer tool from authorized sites and sub-paths within those sites are allowed to proceeed); tablet input support and customizable support for multiple languages. Additionally, a forthcoming component from Slate Technologies, Visual Instant Messaging, will allow Slate Writer users to chat with one other by exchanging typed or scribbled messages within a Slate Writer-like window.

Slate Writer is available now, in both vendor hosted and licensed (for Linux or FreeBSD servers) versions. For further information, contact Slate Technologies.