The Aquamacs Project this week released Aquamacs 1.4, the latest version of the venerable and time-proven Emacs-based text editing software, adapted specifically for Mac OS X. Running as a standard OS X application, Aquamacs 1.4 integrates with Apples 'Aqua' GUI, offering a simplified version of the notoriously complex Emacs user interface. Combining standard OS X keyboard commands with the extended options native to Emacs, the text editor offers the extensibility and ergonomics of GNU Emacs with the ease of installation and performance of OS X.

Aquamacs 1.4 includes the following improvements:

* New multi-tabbed interface similar to Safari. This makes switching between open files faster and more intuitive.

* Full screen editing now available. This allows you to focus just on editing your files without distraction from other applications.

* Aquamacs no longer creates backup files by default: less clutter in your files.

* Now uses standard "unified" toolbar, with improved icons, for greater ease-of-use.

* Improved LaTeX support.

* Numerous improvements in text search.

* Can check for program updates from the application menu.

It offers support for most programming languages including C, C++, Python, Ruby, Perl, Java, AppleScript, and Lisp -- as well as text and markup formats like HTML or XML; Aquamacs requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and runs natively on PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs. [requirements updated]