# RagTime

> frame-oriented business publishing software

**Wikidata**: [Q123714](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123714)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RagTime)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ragtime

## Summary
RagTime is a frame-oriented business publishing software used for computer graphics and document management. It is a cross-platform application designed to run on both Microsoft Windows and macOS operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Categorized as software and a tool within the computer graphics sub-field.
- **Current Version:** The stable version is RagTime 7, released on September 13, 2023.
- **Operating Systems:** Supports Microsoft Windows (since 1985) and macOS (since 2001).
- **File Formats:** Uses the "RagTime document" as its primary readable and writable file format.
- **Official Website:** Hosted at http://www.ragtime.de/.
- **Identifiers:** Recognized by Freebase ID /m/0b00kq and Wine AppDB ID 1944.
- **Language Support:** Documented in five Wikipedia languages, including English, German, Spanish, and French.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of RagTime?
A: RagTime is a frame-oriented publishing software specifically designed for business use. It is utilized for computer graphics and professional document creation.

### Q: Which operating systems can run RagTime?
A: RagTime is compatible with Microsoft Windows and macOS. It has supported the Windows family since November 1985 and Apple's macOS since March 2001.

### Q: When was the most recent version of RagTime released?
A: The most recent stable version, RagTime 7, was released on September 13, 2023.

## Why It Matters
RagTime represents a specialized category of business publishing software that utilizes a frame-oriented approach to document design. Its significance is marked by its long-term availability across the two major desktop computing platforms, Microsoft Windows and macOS. By maintaining a dedicated file format (RagTime document) and continuing development into its seventh major version as of 2023, it provides a consistent environment for computer graphics and business publishing tasks. Its presence in multiple languages and archival databases like the Internet Archive and Wine AppDB indicates a sustained role in the software ecosystem for nearly four decades.

## Notable For
- **Frame-Oriented Design:** Specifically structured as a frame-oriented tool for business publishing.
- **Cross-Platform History:** One of the few publishing tools with a history on Windows dating back to 1985 and macOS to 2001.
- **Proprietary Ecosystem:** Maintains its own specific "RagTime document" format for both reading and writing data.
- **Active Development:** Continues to release stable updates, with version 7 being the most recent major milestone.

## Body

### Software Classification and Use
RagTime is defined as a non-tangible executable component of a computer system. It is classified under the sub-field of computer graphics and is primarily used as frame-oriented business publishing software. The software is identified in various technical databases, including the Wine Application Database (ID 1944) and the Internet Archive (ID tucows_204503_RagTime_5).

### Platform Compatibility
The software is developed for two primary operating system families:
*   **Microsoft Windows:** Supported since the operating system's inception period in late 1985.
*   **macOS:** Supported since the early 2001 release of Apple's modern operating system.

### Versioning and Documentation
The stable version of the software is RagTime 7. This version was officially released on September 13, 2023, as documented by the developer's newsletter and support resources. RagTime maintains a presence on Wikimedia Commons and is documented across several Wikipedia language editions, including German (de), English (en), Spanish (es), and French (fr).

### Technical Specifications
*   **File Handling:** The software utilizes the "RagTime document" format. It has the capability to both read and write this specific format.
*   **Web Presence:** The official technical support and system requirements are maintained at ragtime.de.
*   **Data Identifiers:** The entity is tracked via Freebase ID /m/0b00kq, with records dating back to at least 2013.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.ragtime.de/web/support/systemvoraussetzungen.html)
2. [Source](http://www.ragtime.de/Newsletter/2023_09_13-f/page1.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013