Paratext has a feature called Paratext Live that lets a group of users edit the same document at the same time, keeping their versions up to date on each computer as they work together.  This can be used, for instance, when a group is discussing a text, allowing several people to edit the text and improve on each other’s changes, evaluating the result together before agreeing on the best translation.  This is similar to the kind of collaborative editing found in editing environments like Google Docs.

Unfortunately, some performance limitations in the Paratext Live server have made this feature less useful than we wish.  We have now written a new Paratext Live server that has important advantages over the earlier one:

• It is much faster
• It can handle more simultaneous users
• It is easier for us to support

Both Paratext 8 and Paratext 9 now use the new Paratext Live server.  To use the new server, Paratext 8 must use 8.0.100.87 or newer and Paratext 9 must use 9.0.100.5 or newer.

Older versions of Paratext 8 and Paratext 9 can still use Paratext Live, using the old server, but they cannot use the new server.  If you want to use Paratext Live regularly, we encourage you to upgrade to the current version.  We also encourage you to make sure other people on your team upgrade to the new version – if team members are using different Paratext Live servers, they will not be visible to each other.   Each member will see only the team members who are using Paratext Live on the same server they are using.

If you start a Paratext Live session and you can’t get everyone into the same session, please check everyone’s version numbers to make sure they are on the same server.

We are pleased to announce that the Paratext 9 final release is now available on the Paratext download page. Paratext 9 will help translators work more efficiently through improved menus and window layouts, and by providing easier access to reference materials through Enhanced Resources. The Paratext 9 beta has been available since mid-June, and has been used in active translation projects and translator’s workshops, where it has been well-received.

Why switch to Paratext 9?

Paratext 9 is the current released version, which will be continuously improved. Some people upgrade simply because they like to use the latest and greatest software, others prefer to wait. You should try Paratext 9 now if you:

• want to try the new, improved, user interface.
• want to organize your work environment flexibly, making it easier to put the
  tools you need wherever you want them to be.
• want to try Enhanced Resources, which turn gateway language translations into source texts with direct links to the source language text, source language dictionaries, encyclopedia-length articles, and images.
• want to be able to find resources more easily using filters and search criteria.
• want to use Paratext on more than one screen.
• want to use a powerful and flexible new Parallel Passages tool.

How hard is it to learn Paratext 9?

The user experience of Paratext 9 is quite different from Paratext 8, with a new approach to menus and window layout. Most users who have learned Paratext 9 find it more logical than Paratext 8. Most of the tools in Paratext 9 are unchanged, so the core experience should remain familiar. Based on our usability testing, field testing, workshops, and user feedback, we expect experienced users to be able to learn the differences in an hour or two, whereas users who usually require support will be able to learn the differences in less than a day of active use. Please take the time to review the following guide to help you get started:

Introducing Paratext 9

Can I keep using Paratext 8?

As long as Paratext 8 is still supported, you do not have to switch to Paratext 9. We know that some teams are slow to adopt new versions, so we will continue to support Paratext 8 for a long period after Paratext 9 is fully released, giving people time to adapt and learn the new version.

You can also continue to use Paratext 8 while you try out Paratext 9. Just don’t open them both at the same time. If you already have Paratext 8 on your computer, the installer does not remove it.

If other members of your project are using Paratext 8, you can do Send/Receive with Paratext 9 on the same project.

Thanks to our translators!

We hope that Paratext 9 will be a blessing to translators worldwide. Many of you have helped us design and test Paratext 9, trying out early versions on your translation projects to help us create a tool that will work in the real world. We believe in the work you are doing, and everything we do is motivated by our desire to support you in that work. Paratext 9 is our gift to you for the work you are doing.

The Paratext development team

We are pleased to announce that Paratext 9 is now available as a beta version. Paratext 9 will help translators work more efficiently, creating better layouts, and providing easier access to reference materials through Enhanced Resources. It has already gone through a lot of testing and users have been very happy with it. You may encounter some minor problems that we aren’t aware of yet, so there will continue to be some minor changes over the next couple months as we work towards the official release. However, we are confident that it is stable enough for everyday use.

Should you use the Paratext 9 Beta?

Yes, if you:

• want to try new UI features that let you organize your work environment to simplify your work.
• want to try Enhanced Resources for easier access to Greek and Hebrew, encyclopedia-length articles, images, and media from a gateway language translation.
• have good computer skills or support from people who do.
• are willing to take the time to report bugs promptly.
• are connected to the Internet frequently to receive updates.

You can download the Paratext beta from the Paratext 9 download page. Double click the downloaded file to launch the installer. The installer will then guide you through a short installation procedure.

You can continue to use Paratext 8 while you try out Paratext 9. Just don’t open them both at the same time. If you already have Paratext 8 on your computer, the installer does not remove it. If other members of your project are using Paratext 8, you can do Send/Receive with Paratext 9 on the same project. We know that some teams are slow to adopt new versions, so we will continue to support Paratext 8 for a long period after Paratext 9 is fully released, giving people time to adapt and learn the new version.

The user experience of Paratext 9 is quite different from Paratext 8, with a new approach to menus and window layout. Based on our user interface testing and user feedback, we expect experienced users to be able to learn the differences in an hour or two, whereas users who usually require support will be able to learn the differences in less than a day of active use. Please take the time to review the following guide to help you get started:

Introducing Paratext 9

We hope you enjoy it!

The Paratext development team