LyX

If you have to prepare a scientific document for publishing, then you would need something more than a conventional word processor. This is where LyX comes in. The program incorporates the TeX typesetting system, as well as the LaTeX preparation system and it combines them with a straightforward and easy to understand functionality. You can use this powerful and flexible editor to create a wide range of structured documents, including academic articles or theses, with mathematical contents if you want to, as well as books, theater plays or film scripts. Another advantage is that LyX is absolutely free and open source.

The application comes with a user friendly and highly customizable interface. Everything you need to lay out your document can be found on toolbars and on the menu bar. You can insert images and other graphical contents, create hyperlinks to websites, emails or files, add labels and much more. Additionally, you can insert TeX code and math macros. It is also possible to switch between different predefined layouts, like number of bullet lists, description and others, just by clicking the corresponding icons on a toolbar. Other layout options can be found in a drop menu, in the upper left corner of the interface.

LyX comes with many other useful features, which make it shine when compared to other editors. For example, the application comes with a built-in equations editor, which makes it quite easy to include any mathematical expressions in your document. Furthermore, reference listing and index creation tools come standard with LyX, which makes scientific authoring very easy.

The best part about LyX's functionality is the fact that you don't have to make countless tweaks and get tangled in a series of convoluted menus every few minutes, as you would in certain word processors. Once you have made your initial selections, you only need to type and nothing else. If you change your mind about the layout, you can switch to another one on the fly, without any kind of difficulties.