Technical+Editing+Electronic+Editing

= **Electronic Editing** =

Electronic editing is the process of editing a document directly using a software program that can track changes and provide a “paper-trail” for author and editor review. Common track changes programs include Microsoft Word’s “Track Changes” feature, OpenOffice Writer, and LaTeX.

Certain projects lend themselves to electronic editing better than others.
 * Manuscripts with limited room for editing.
 * Manuscripts that are passed back and forth over long distances.
 * Manuscripts requiring heavy editing or restructuring.

Benefits of electronic editing include:
 * Tracked, easily reversible changes.
 * No hand written symbols which can be misinterpreted.
 * Editors can insert comments and changes directly into the manuscript. This saves the author the trouble of learning all the editing symbols.
 * More manageable than a stack of papers.

Electronic editing is becoming the norm as more companies make the switch to internet and electronic-based communication. However, some companies and individuals may prefer to work in hard copy, and it’s important for the technical editor to know how to edit electronically and on paper.

Norbert Elliot, Professor of English at the //New Jersey Institute of Technology// offers an excellent discussion on electronic editing on his wiki, ElliotMedia.