RagTime (computer program)

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RagTime is a computer program primarily used for desktop publishing. The software combines spreadsheet features with word processing and embedded multimedia.

Documents created with RagTime can combine multilingual word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, databases, and programmable objects. In many institutions it is the standard program for report editing and publishing.^{[citation needed]}

The current (April 2009) version for Mac OS and Windows is 6.5. Recently added features include capabilities for making fully programmable dynamic presentations, spot color support, HTML publishing, video and sound filing and limited editing, plus the possibility of handling DWG files (Autocad). RagTime is also extensible via plugins. For example, geo-referenced map rendering is supported using a plugin developed by a third party^[1] that reads and transforms DXF and SHAPE files and articulates them to data in a spreadsheet.

[edit] History and Use

In 1984, RagTime was initially developed by German software company B und E Software GmbH for Apple Macintosh computers. Subsequent versions for Windows-operated machines were released beginning in 1998^[2].

While successful in Europe from its inception, the program is less widely used in the United States and the Americas. Potential barriers to acceptance for RagTime might include its unusual genre, perceived as a spreadsheet/desktop publishing hybrid, or the daunting feature set and its correspondingly demanding learning curve.^{[citation needed]}

1. ^  RagTime developers offer a fully functional version of the program (Ragtime Solo 5.6.5) that can be downloaded [3]and installed free of cost for private use, i.e., not in a network.
2. ^  The plug-in is GeoInsight, developed in Florida, USA by Comgrafix

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