Maxit Simplified English

[Robert Stoker <info -at- seatechpubs -dot- com>]

I know of the MaxIT Checker, although I have not used it. I do, 
however,  have experience with a similar tool, and we have developed a 
word checker plug-in for FrameMaker. The electronic editing tool I have 
experience with is proprietary, and not for sale on the open market 
(luckily).

In short, I don't think electronic editing tools can take the place of 
a human editor. An electronic editor may be able to improve really bad 
writers, but in my opinion, human interaction is a more effective way 
to improve writing skills. Also, I think the tool can tend to make good 
writers worse, due to the constraints the software places on the 
writer. These tools can also reduce the efficiency of the writers—the 
writers spend too much time trying to get their sentences past the 
editing algorithms. The software may tell the writer that something is 
wrong, but the software cannot fix the problem. The writer still has to 
rewrite the sentence and send the passage through the software again.

I'm not a fan of this type of tool. I think a good editor, and a 
standardized word list is a better way to go.

Regards,
Robert Stoker
Seatech Publications, Inc.
Content Development,
FrameMaker Plug-ins, and
Product Information Management Systems
www.seatechpubs.com