ATLANTA, GA -- June 19, 2002 -- Building Systems Design (BSD) announces the immediate availability of new versions of its groundbreaking specification writing products, BSD SpecLink(R) and PerSpective(R). Released in early June 2002, the new editions have improved features that include a new interface with reduced dependence on color cues and wizard capability for adding intelligence to office master specifications.

BSD SpecLink is used for preparing construction specifications, while PerSpective is designed for preparing performance specifications early in a project, before building materials and systems have been selected. Both products are sold on an annual subscription basis primarily to design professionals. In response to requests from some subscribers with various types of colorblindness, BSD has made a number of changes designed to complement color cues in the software with shape and position markers. For instance, paragraph status indicators now change shape as well as color to indicate link status. Paragraphs that have been selected automatically by green links from user-selected paragraphs display a green square. Paragraphs automatically excluded by red links display a red stop sign. And paragraphs that are highlighted by yellow links display an inverted yellow triangle. In addition, the status indicator for any active paragraph now appears to be depressed, whereas those for inactive paragraphs--unselected text that will not print as part of the project specifications--appear raised. Paragraph icons that indicate the availability of a master or project note or the presence of a user-modified or user-added paragraph also have been changed to be more descriptive and less dependent on color.

Another major new feature in both BSD SpecLink and PerSpective is the ability to attach a tag to any paragraph. 28 different tags are available, and most are used to generate special reports for a project. For example, paragraphs calling for shop drawing submittal would have an SD (shop drawings) tag attached, while paragraphs calling for samples would have an SA (samples submittal) tag. Specialized non-printing (NP) and non-selectable (NS) wizard tags allow the user to add a checklist at the beginning of a section with links to the specification text. If the checklist questions are tagged NP, designers in the office can select options applicable to a project, the links will automatically edit the section, but the checklist questions will not be included in the printed specification section. Users can also include instructions that are turned on by links under some circumstances. If these instructions are tagged NS (non-selectable), they will not print with the section, but in addition, users will not be able to select or exclude the instructions inadvertently. According to BSD president Robert Paul Dean, "by using these tags creatively, a specifications specialist can add an amazing amount of intelligence to an office master specification that is used by non-specialists within the firm."

Both SpecLink and PerSpective include master specifications data that is maintained in a relational database, rather than as word processing files. The user's project files are stored separately and are merged with the master data for viewing and printing edited specification documents. The database structure allows selective updating on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis and also makes possible BSD's exclusive text linking feature.

About BSD: Building Systems Design is a software development company founded in Atlanta in 1983 to create PC-based software tools for the a/e/c market. In addition to its specifications products, BSD offers a line of construction budgeting and cost estimating software tools, including BSD CostLink/CM. For more information about any of the products in the BSD SoftLink suite, contact Robert Paul Dean at 888-BSD-SOFT (888-273-7638) or rdean@bsdsoftlink.com. PowerPoint presentations and software demonstrations are also available at www.bsdsoftlink.com.