Comparison of Tools for Digitally Tracking Changes in Text

Abstract

Tracking changes in digital texts is a longstanding interface challenge, as early digital technologies left no recorded traces of alterations. Currently, two key categories of tools track text changes: code editing and word processing tools. Each has implemented different interface patterns to accomplish several goals: attributing change authorship, tracking the time of change, recording the change action taken, and specifying the location and content of the change. While some visual characteristics of change tracking are consistent across all tools, there are significant differences in change representation divided along the tool-type line, that may reflect their specific cultures of use. Overall, however, there is a limited range of visual methods for representing changes to digital text over time.