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Pathagoras differs significantly from other programs in its category. We think that it is helpful for you to understand at least a little bit about the different approach we took in building our systems, and how Pathagoras distinguishes itself from its competitors.
Differences in clause and form development:
With most other document assembly programs, you have to create a large ‘master’ document (sometimes called a ‘template'). This master contains every possible textual variation which will lead to a final product. When you want to add more options, you return to the master and code in the new text.
There is no ‘master document’ required by Pathagoras. Pathagoras can build documents from master documents like the others, but, being a true ‘paragraph assembler,’ Pathagoras can just as easily build them from the ground up. The choice is yours.
Differences in How Clauses are Stored: Pathagoras stores its 'building block' text as standard Word documents in standard Word folders. No other program using an untouchable database in a foreign location stands between you and your clauses. You can easily access, edit, copy, paste to and from, etc. your source text using your current Word skills. You don't have to learn another editing program. Storing source text in Word folders as Word documents allows you a degree of flexibility and control (not to mention intuitiveness and comfort) that is simply not provided by other approaches.
Differences in how personal data is collected: Other programs demand that you design a data collection page before you can begin productive document production. Creating these pages can be quite daunting. You essentially need to know from the outset the variables that all of your future documents will contain. And future documents can only contain the variables that you hard-coded into the data collection device. (Of course, you can later add and edit those variables, but that too is challenging and needlessly time consuming.)
Not so with Pathagoras. Variables in source forms are composed in plain-text. Pathagoras data input form is created ad hoc after the document is assembled. Quick, easy, but powerful and accurate. (Pathagoras simply scans for bracketed variables in the documents and presents them in a dynamic data collection screen called "Instant Database." And it truly is an 'instant' database. The data you collect can be saved for the particular client and reused with other forms containing the same variables.)
Pathagoras allows you the option of creating a more stylized data collection tool, but it is based entirely on the Instant Database module.
Differences in document creation process:
Most other document assembly programs demand that you follow a specific order for document creation. Typically it is:
(1) You must first complete a personal data form (or recall an existing one) for the client or customer for whom the document is being drafted. This creates an unbreakable connection between the document being built and ultimate recipient of the document.
(2) You can proceed to assemble your document. Document variables will never be shown since they will be completed automatically during assembly.
Pathagoras’ approach to document assembly does not have this 'must select client first' orientation. More often than not,
(1) you will assemble the document first and then
(2) personalize the document. (It can be done the 'other' way as well, but this is the preferred method in Pathagoras.)
Pathagoras simply rejects the idea that connecting a client to the document about to be built should be a mandatory first step. The link can wait. Sometimes you will want to compose a document without all (or any) of the client's data. This flexibility allows you to experiment in designing your clauses. You never have to link with a client, not even a ‘dummy’ client, in order to test your work.
Our customers have commented that they prefer Pathagoras‘ approach. It is more intuitive because it more closely mimics the flow they followed before using a document assembly program.
Differences in Document Management styles:
Pathagoras enhances and speeds up document storage and retrieval. It does so by augmenting Word and Windows functionality, not supplanting it. It preserves the standard Word and Windows screenage and functions with which you already familiar, so you do not have to learn an entirely new system.
Pathagoras does not, however, provide an indexing system as do many of the other programs. Retrieving a specific document by typing key or indexed terms is not possible with Pathagoras. But free or inexpensive indexers are offered by, for example, Google®, Copernic® and others. We didn't create an indexer because such powerful ones were already on the market.
Differences in 'philosophical approach':
Our overriding philosophy is 'simpler is better.' Just because a new technology exists, it doesn't mean it has to be used. Operators in the field tend to reject technologies that are difficult to implement, and for good reason.
Pathagoras has affirmatively opted for the plain text, what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach to document assembly and management.
Illustration of the Libraries, Books & Clauses Metaphor
 | | Libraries and Books |
A library consists of up to ten books. Three 'libraries' are depicted above. Each book within a library will typically be on the general topic of the library, but the books contain clauses on a fairly narrow subject.
 | | Books & Clauses |
Some clauses in a book are 'boilerplate' and will be used with every document. Other clauses allow the operator the flexibility to create highly personalized documents for the particular client or customer.
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