This paper describes the hardware, software, and a document model for a prototype E-Writer. Paper like displays have proved useful in E-Readers like the Kindle in part because of low power usage and the ability to read indoors and out. We focus on emulating other properties of paper in the E-Writer: everyone knows how to use it, and users can write anywhere on the page. By focusing on a simple document model consisting primarily of images and strokes we enabled rapid application development that integrates easily with current paper-based document workflows. This paper includes preliminary reports on usage of the E-Writer and its software by a small test group.

A document log is an ordered list of entries providing a history for any sort of media or file, just as a logfile provides a history of a computer program and a logbook provides a history of a journey. The history of a document may consist of copyright information, approvals, annotations, or any sort of metadata. This paper describes a metadata architecture using Content Based Identifiers and Document Logs that facilitates location of metadata from distributed sources, caching, ordering of log entries, and detection of changes in metadata or documents. The techniques used complement existing metadata format standards and are contrasted with storage of metadata in a file or document management system.

The ASP package, a spreadsheet implemented in Smalltalk-80, is discussed. A description of the unique data manipulation features of ASP is given. A discussion of how these features arise from the Smalltalk-80 environment is included, with emphasis on features not common to all object oriented languages.