Reviewed by Donald MacRae
Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies
Brock University

Bookends Plus 4.0 is the latest release in the line of Bookends software products from Westing Software. It offers the user complete bibliography and reference management functions. This reviewer has already examined Bookends 3.1.1 and Bookends Web and given both of them enthusiastic support. MacUser and MacWorld have given Bookends 3.1.1 four mouse/star ratings and Apple has listed this newest release of the program among its hot New Products listings. Bookends Plus 4.0 continues in the tradition of its predecessors. It combines an impressive list of features from earlier versions of the program with a very significant number of new ones. Here are just a few of them. Bookends Plus:

• reads and writes files from the major Macintosh word processors, including files created in Framemaker (MIF) and Nisus (RTF). Seamless integration with all of these word processors is provided through a link defined by the user. It is a simple matter to switch from the word processor to Bookends Plus by means of a user-designed hot key; a mouse click returns the user to the word processor. Bookends Plus also imports styled text (RTF) references from other databases and word processors, while at the same time retaining the styled text information. The user may also import references from a myriad of on-line services.
• formats references according to supplied or user-defined styles. The formatter provides for control of "ibid.," the insertion of formatted references in notes, capitalization control for titles, and the production of bibliographies with letters to differentiate among similar publications (e.g., Smith, 1966a; Smith, 1966b).
• offers considerable database control. The user may quickly preview any reference in a bibliography format, sort all references by two fields simultaneously in both ascending and descending order, and removes duplicates effectively and quickly. One may also attach any file, whether text, data or pictures, to references and view PICT and bitmapped (MacPaint) graphics or QuickTime(tm) movies from within Bookends. Search strategies may be saved.

Since this review cannot possibly consider all of the interesting aspects of Bookends Plus 4.0, we shall limit ourselves to a general examination of the program and then highlight a few of its most useful features, in particular its search and find capabilities and its superb formatting functions. Prospective users are encouraged to download the latest demo version from Westing and try it out for themselves.

Like most bibliographical programs Bookends Plus 4.0 is both a database manager and a bibliography/footnote maker. With its wide range of desirable new features this program should make the process of creating bibliographies and footnotes easier than ever before.

The learning curve for the program is not unduly steep, but to help smooth the way for the beginner, Bookends Plus offers a comprehensive tutorial. The tutorial leads us through the various features of the program step by step from the installation or upgrade from earlier Bookends packages to full use of Bookends Plus as an effective bibliographical tool.

Before we begin the tutorial we are given an overall view of its structure and a concise definition of the various terms which recur throughout the manual. When we first open the database we wish to create, the following screen or "reference" appears (see View 1).

This reference shows that Bookends Plus has been "linked," in this case to Corel Word Perfect (top center), in order to establish the dynamic relationship between Bookends Plus and the word processor in use. Data can now be entered into each of the fields as desired. Some fields may contain only a word or two while others, particularly the "abstract," may have detailed notes. Each field may contain up to 30,000 characters. Not all of the fields have to be filled and Bookends Plus can manipulate these empty fields when required. Bookends Plus automatically saves any entries we make, so there is no need to "save" from the file menu. The size of the database is limited only by the available space on the hard drive.

Virtually every field in View 1 is a button which will either allow us to enter data (authors, keywords, publisher, etc.), or provide us with information (hits list, unique ID number, word processor being used), or take us somewhere else in the program (Find, Attach, move through references). These options are simple to use and intuitively presented. As long as the information entered is consistent with the rules, Bookends Plus will work correctly.

The "Copy Citation" button is worth a quick note. It is used in conjunction with the "Scan a Document for Citations" feature. A click on this button will automatically copy a specific reference to the clipboard for pasting into the linked word processor. Author, journal, pages, date will appear in curly brackets. These will later be scanned and replaced in the finished bibliography. This ensures the accuracy and the unambiguity of the material being copied into the word processor. As we have indicated above, this button has been greatly improved in version 4.0.1.

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System Requirements:
Macintosh computer with a hard drive and at least 8 megabytes of memory. Both 680x0 (from SE) and Power Macs are supported. Bookends Plus is accelerated for Power Macintosh. Hard disk should have at least 1.5 megabytes free. System 7.5 or later. Version 4.0.1 runs seamlessly under Mac OS8. On-line capabilities require Web server software such as MacHTTP or WebStar and the ability to access the Internet. Some advanced features require extensions: AppleScript 1.1 or later; Apple Guide (preferably 2.0 or later).

System used for review:
Macintosh 7500, 1.2 gigabyte hard drive, 48 megabytes RAM, System 7.5.3.

Version:
Latest: 4.0.1
Reviewed: 4.0
Note: Version 4.0.1 is a minor upgrade which I downloaded after I had reviewed version 4.0. It introduces a few new and useful features: Bookends Plus 4.0.1 will now run seamlessly under Mac OS 8. Minor cosmetic changes have also been made. Users working under Mac OS 8 will find the dialogue boxes sport a new greyscale appearance. Live scrolling is implemented in most lists and external windows such as: Author / Keyword / Editor / Journal, HitsWindow, and View Text File. The contents of a list scroll in real time as you move your thumb in the scroll bar. The "Copy Citations" button has been greatly improved and is now a large, very accessible button. The "Find" button has been moved to the floating palette. Version 4.0.1 has improved handling for very large files.

Version 4.0.1 is the latest demo available from the Westing Website. Registered users of Bookends Plus 4.0 will be able to replace their present copy with a fully operating version 4.0.1 at no charge. Explicit instructions on updating existing files are clearly given.

Availability:
Virtually all Westing products are sold directly through the company. Bookends products are available by phone or fax (numbers above), or electronically from Westing.

Retail: $129; Educational: $109. Volume and upgrade discounts are available.

Demo:
Available via Westing's web site. The demo offers all of the features of the complete program, including a complete tutorial, but the database is limited to 15 references. When the program is ordered, this limitation is removed.

Screen Capture:
(Click for larger image)

View 1: Opening the Database

View 2: Search Dialog

View 3: Editing a Format

View 4: Previewing a Format