Together with the use of specialized automatic translation systems, these hold much promise for the future as a viable method of fast, cheap, approximate translation and for the preparation of first drafts of foreign language texts, which need limited post-editing to be converted into quality publications.Īuthors can experiment with this kind of system for free with Google Translator Toolkit or Wordfast Anywhere. Online systems also facilitate the use of shared translation memories and terminology databases. There is enhanced integration with other online resources, such as automatic translation and dictionary look-up.Since all editors work on the same version, there is never any conflict between versions from different sources.All previous versions are stored and the editing of each version can be traced.File storage is more secure online than on a local hard disk.The word processing environment in these online editors is more rudimentary but they offer advantages over desktop word processors: (For a useful website listing these and other possibilities, see Pixel Privacy ). On the other hand, if you want an alternative to Google, there are a number of possibilities, including Synqion, Nextcloud or Tresorit. Popular options are GoogleDocs (recently rebranded as Google Drive), Zoho and Microsoft Office 365. Basic online word processors are a viable alternative to desktop software. The most radical option is to do away with the desktop word processing environment altogether, at least in the initial stages of text creation. Teamwork can be enhanced by synchronizing desktop files to a shared online copy, as with the service offered by DropBox. This is the case for online dictionaries such as Word Reference, and also for automatic translators, such as Google Translate and Microsoft Translator.

Many of the tools available in desktop word processors are now available online and in some cases these tools are more powerful.

Desktop word processors are powerful programs that can be adapted to users’ preferred ways of working, but they have their limitations, particularly when document editors are working as a team.

Online word processor