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ilembitov

Member

Registered: 2008-10-07

Posts: 124

Version control for word processing

Hi, all.

I've never used any kind of version control system (like git or cvs or anything), but know I think that I have a use for one.

Basically, my point is that I write documents mostly in markdown/xhtml (perhaps I'll start using LaTeX one day, but that's another story), so I only use a text editor and not a word processor. So I think that a simple revision control solution would provide me with a feature that many word processors have: the ability to track all changes and revert to any past state of the document.

So what would you suggest? Something simple, lightweight and smart. I'm not gonna use it for coding, or even publish it anywhere, so my requirements are rather humble.

cebru

Member

Registered: 2009-06-17

Posts: 39

Re: Version control for word processing

If you don't mind command line tools, git coupled with a web front end is really nice.

I personally use cgit.

scio

Member

From: Buffalo, NY

Registered: 2008-08-05

Posts: 366

Re: Version control for word processing

The only problem with using a version control system with a text editor is that you have to either set it up to commit automatically on every save and every few minutes.  Word processors especially docs.google.com are very good about saving revisions for you.

So look at the DVCS list here and pick one (mercurial, git, and bazaar are the more popular ones) and think of a good system for auto-committing.  The day you realize you forgot to commit a version before a major change you will kick yourself for not having a good system in place.