Jack -

I'm not an expert in the area of spec writing tools.

Here are two suggestions:
1) There is an add-on for ArchiCAD made by Cadimage called Key Notes. It facilitates creation and usage of a database of keynotes. These notes have an identifier (e.g. PL05 or ST01 or 107 etc.), a short description (e.g. GAS METER, CERAMIC TILE, etc.), a longer description (e.g. GAS METER TO BE INSTALLED BY …), and an optional spec reference link. You can build up an office database of these notes, and/or customize or compile them for a specific project. The notes on the drawings can show up as simply the identifier, or the short description, or both, and can include the longer description in some cases.

Key Notes will compile all the note references for a particular drawing, sheet or project into a nicely formatted listing, grouped by category or discipline heading. These are kept up to date, much like a door schedule.

For more info on Key Notes, please visit http://www.cadimagetools.com

It is part of their Documentation Suite, and can be purchased separately. If you decide to buy it, please use the promo code BCG during the checkout process to get a 15% discount (good only through 12/31/08) and give us credit for referring you (good anytime!).

2) You could post this question on ArchiCAD-Talk, the online forum for ArchiCAD users, at http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com

You will get responses from people around the world about their experiences or advice.

I wish I could be of more help. Please let me know how it goes, and if you learn something from ArchiCAD-Talk, I'd love to hear about it.