While our old editor was suitable for writing research papers by anyone (LaTeX, Markdown, or rich text) there were many foundational issues that precluded a smooth workflow for researchers typically using Word or Google Docs. Learning LaTeX, Markdown, or git came with a steep learning curve that simply precluded many researchers from even trying Authorea. As one of our former Word writers in the office quips,
"I thought LaTeX was a type of rubber when I first head about it and Markdown was a rap group!"
Based on extensive testing and feedback we recently released our
new editor, transitioning from a heavy focus on writing LaTeX online to an interface that it is more approachable to all researchers. In technical terms, we're more WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
formatting and less \textbf{formatting} or **formatting.**
Because the new Authorea editor feels a lot more like Microsoft Word or Google Docs yet is much more powerful we wanted to highlight some differences that make Authorea stand apart from Word, Google Docs, or Dropbox Paper.
1. Authorea supports multiple markup languages for better collaboration
Authorea supports a wide range of markup languages (rich text, LaTeX, and Markdown). As noted above, researchers from different disciplines write documents in different ways. Some differences are cultural but many times researchers are forced to write in a certain way out of necessity (have you ever tried to write a math equation in Word?!). We've made it easy for researchers from any discipline to collaborate, together. This will become increasingly important as the number of authors per paper continues to grow \cite{Aboukhalil_2014} as does the degree of cross-disciplinary work \cite{Luke_2014}. In short, whether you're Donald Knuth himself or someone that thinks LaTeX is rubber, we've got you covered.
2. Authorea documents are git repositories for better version control and data management
Authorea documents are git repositories, which allow for robust version control, collaboration, and data hosting within a document. We've taken git, the gold-standard for version control, primarily used by software developers to write code collaboratively and adopted it for writing research papers.
3. Directly submit to publishers from Authorea
Authorea has a growing list of direct-submissions to publishers making publishing via Authorea extremely easy. We want you to focus on your writing, while we take care of the formatting.
4. Authorea is connected to leading data visualization tools.
Authorea supports a wide range of markup languages (richtext/Word, LaTeX, and Markdown) and scientific integrations, including the most popular citation management, graphing, and visualization plugins.
5. Preprint on Authorea
Authorea allows you to not only write your documents using the most sophisticated tools available, it also allows you to preprint or publish it. When you're done writing, issue a DOI and preprint your article on Authorea, the only preprint server to post articles in full HTML5.
6. Easily write math on Authorea
Authorea allows researchers to easily write math online, like below: