I am reviewing edition, 4.7.  I will be updating to  the latest version soon, but one may (generally) assume that the more recent one is better. 

I like a couple of things about it.  One is that you can use it on several computers (they don't mind) so you can have it on your laptop, at home, and at your summer house.  When you upgrade any of your computers, you just uninstall it from the old one, and it gives you a new number so you can install it again on the new one.  Or you can just keep the disc with you, and never worry about the numbers.  Its really flexible in that regard.

As far as ease of use, let me just say to begin with, if you are considering writing a script, buy a script writing program. It makes no sense at all to try to do it on a word processor, unless your time is worth absolutely nothing.

One thing you will find, even in an industry that presumably cherishes creativity, the one area where they do not, in any way, shape or form, appreciate any deviation from the norm, is in script format. 

The cover must be card stock, white preferred, ivory tolerated.  page count must fall in the range specified by the format.  Three holes must be punched, but only two used.  Brads of specific length.  correct typeface, correct size, no italics.

And that is all before you even write a single word.

Formats are very strict.  the exact format depends on the type of script.  If you have the wrong anything, it is very, very likely that your script will be looked at as amateur, if it is even looked at.  If your script looks at all nonstandard, your name better be Stephen King, or it might not even be read.

The function of script writing software is to take care of the formatting end of the deal, and let you just write.

Screenwriter has a number of different script types that you can use, including screenplay. a couple of sitcom formats, radio,  animation, and others, about a dozen in all.  I have based this review on the screenplay template.

First of all, I found it to be pretty intuitive, it anticipates what kind of text you are going to write next, (dialog, action, etc) and automatically formats for it.  Usually it is right, and when it is not, it's easy to correct.

The program will auto complete your characters names, as well as locations and such. 

After the writing is done, the value of this kind of program really comes to the fore.

As one writer once said, the art of writing is re-writing.  With this program, it is easy to change everything around.  change the characters names, change the scene order, etc.  It has a pretty nice index card feature that lets you view your scenes as if you had them on index cards.  This allows them to butcher your pristine creation six ways from sunday. (painful, but evidently quite necessary)

If you are doing your own production, this software really shines.  It is not only a word processor, but also a spreadsheet of sorts.  It can sort your scenes in a number of ways for ease of schedule.  It can print your dailies, issue revisions, make your breakdowns, and such.  There are a whole family of add on programs that dovetail with screenwriter, such as Screenwriter Scheduling and Screenwriter Legal, which one  hopes not to need.

There are still some glitches, of course,  but they are seemingly random, and not all that frequent. Importing and exporting is not yet seamless, and I have noticed that when exporting to microsoft word, it expands a few pages, even though it is theortetically using the exact same font and type size.

Overall, I would give it about four out of five stars, because although it is pretty good, it still has a few areas it could smooth out a little.

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