LyX-Outline is a forthcoming add-on to the popular document processor, LyX, that will give it many of the same features as the writing tool, Scrivener. This add-on is a recognition that writing is about more than just plugging away at a piece of prose until it is finished. It’s also about tracking down loose ends, trying to visualize structure, and avoiding as many dead-ends as possible. In a word, it’s about getting from first to final draft by the quickest route possible, which may not necessarily be a straight line.
LyX-Outline will be completely cross platform and available for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other Unix variants. If you’d like to know more about LyX-Outline, you can find an update on development progress here. (There is also an essay that explains the motivations and vision behind the project.)
Development Progress
Current development is focused on integrating the features of the python prototype (see below) with the LyX codebase. All current development is being done with C++.
If you are interested in the development of LyX-Outline, you can find more information at https://launchpad.net/lyx-outline, this includes a copy of the current LyX-Outline source code.
If you are a tester, you can file bug reports. If there is a feature that you would like to see, might create a blueprint describing it and why it would make the world a better place. Like in all things, please be as specific and concrete as possible.
If you unable to contribute in other ways, of course cash donations are always accepted. Cash donations will be used to pay for developer time, web hosting fees, bandwidth costs and other associated needs as they arise.
Python Prototype
Early development efforts focused on creating a stand-alone prototype that could showcase the most important features of LyX-Outline. The team has since begun integrating the features with the existing codebase of LyX. More information can be found at https://launchpad.net/lyx-outline.
Downloads – Python Prototype
- Source Code (713.2 KB). The python source code and supporting files.
- Microsoft Windows (2000, XP, Vista) (10.5 MB). Precompiled binaries for Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7. Includes all of the necessary Python and Qt4 dependencies.
- Mac OS X (75.8 MB). Precompiled binaries for Mac OS X which include all of the necessary Python and Qt4 dependencies. The package size is large due to the inclusion of debugging information in the build. Unfortunately, they are necessary for the program to run correctly.
Installation – Python Prototype
The following instructions describe how to install the python prototype of LyX-Outline. Instructions which describe how to download and compile the current development version will be posted soon.
Source Code
LyX-Outline is written in entirely in Python and PyQt. Before you can run LyX-Outline, you must install a functioning PyQt development environment. General instructions to do this can be found here. Platform specific instructions for Windows, Mac OS X and Ubuntu Linux are also available. After PyQt has been set-up, download the LyX-Outline source code and extract it. Then, open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the recently extracted folder. LyX-Outline can be launched by typing:
python LyX_Outline_Main.py
Microsoft Windows
The precompiled binary package for Windows contains everything that you need to run the program. Extract the files to a location on your local drive. To launch, double click on LyX_Outline_Main.exe.
Mac OS X
Extract the program to your Applications folder. To run, double click the application bundle.
Note: Due to changes in Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), the python version of LyX-Outline no longer works. Interested people are encouraged to download and compile the source code for the C++ version.
