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Distraction Free - A Writeroom Review
Monday, February 25, 2008
Writeroom
One of the problems of owning a Mac is that it can be easy to become distracted by all the shiny buttons and slick programs. Sometimes, there is just too much "stuff" cluttering up the screen and drawing away attention that needs to be elsewhere. Fortunately, there is a cure for this problem.
Enter Writeroom ($24.95, Mac only) from Hog Bay Software. Writeroom is a bare bones text editor with a sense of style. The secret agent-esque green text and black background lend themselves fully to the sense of coolness that envelops you when you use this program. It is definitely the best solution I have yet found for coping with the everyday distractions of having a Mac.
Writeroom 1.0 was indispensable for taking notes during class, and version 2 has taken it up a notch. With the ability to do both plain and rich text, I don't have to worry about reformatting things later on.
I'm interested in the "Edit in Writeroom" feature, which allows you to edit text from other applications in Writeroom, but unfortunately, this feature does not work in Leopard yet. However, the developer appears to be working on a solution.
There also seem to be a lot of features "in the pipes" so to speak, so I await them eagerly. Personally, I'd like to see an option to temporarily disable the internet connection while the program is open, set adium/ichat status to away, and silence all system and growl notifications.
If you have a Mac and want a "distraction free" writing tool, I highly recommend you take a look at Writeroom.
For Windows users, there is a similar program called Dark Room.
On a final note, I would like to point out that this review was done with a promise of a free license for this program; however, I have used this program (at least, I have used version 1) for quite a long time.
Labels: apple, computer, software
Long time no post...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Well, it's been a rather unusually long time without a post, as I really have not had the time/motivation/content for one...Heck, even now, I am mostly writing this to note that I am still alive.
Of course, a lot has happened since my last posting... I upgraded to OS X Leopard, got a Wacom tablet, bought the MacHeist bundle, and broke my leg snowboarding... but of course, none of that is worthy of a blog post, right?
Ok, so maybe it is...
Thoughts on Leopard
Wow... I like it. Very well done, and nice in just about all the important places. Quicklook is wonderful, and really speeds things up, I just have to get used to hitting the spacebar instead of double-clicking. Coverflow in finder is a feature that I haven't really used as much as I figured, as I generally use column view these days. The new Finder interface is definitely awesome.
Time Machine, although nice in its ease of setup and use, can be annoying in some ways... The lack of preferences bugs the control-geek in me.
Spaces is cool, and quite useful, though I haven't really had much opportunity to exploit it fully as of yet.
My whole system does seem to be noticeably faster as well.
Complaints: Leopard seems to be a bit less stable with programs than Tiger; I've had a few more application crashes than before, though the system itself seems to be more stable overall. Stacks is nice for the downloads folder, but lousy for almost everything else.
I believe Wacom is pronounced "Wakkum"
So, I got a Wacom tablet recently, and I really like it. It definitely is helpful for anything visual design oriented, though it can be tricky finding a place to store the pen when you have to type something quickly.
I'll probably write more on this later...
MacHeist
As you may have already known, I participated in the very fun MacHeist over winter break, and ended up purchasing the awesome bundle. Definitely worth the price.
I don't feel like talking about my broken leg.
New additions to my portfolio
I've recently completed two more sites: http://chazymusictheatre.org and http://ncachurch.org.
Labels: apple, mac, new stuff, software
Leopard
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Since the release of Mac OS X Leopard--I mean, since I got my MacBook, I've been looking forward to the release of OS X Leopard with great anticipation. Now that it's been released, I've been anxiously anticipating being able to afford a copy. Meanwhile, I've been eagerly devouring every bit of information about the new system that I can get my hands on.
So, without further ado, here is what I'm looking forward to most:
Coverflow in Finder and Quicklook. Finally, filmstrip view on the Mac. As a graphic designer, the inability to simply browse my photos and designs through the finder has been a real PITA. It is perhaps my biggest complaint about Tiger, and seems to have been more than adequately delt with. Quicklook in particular appears to have some really powerful applications.
Faster performance. Always welcomed.
True 64-Bit computing. The implications of this will probably become evident sometime next year as more developers take advantage of the enhanced performance and security of 64-bit computing. The stuff under the hood may be the most significant improvements in the entire system.
The new Mail.app looks promising, and will hopefully address my main complaints with Tiger Mail.
Spaces. Appears to be the most viable virtual desktop system for the Mac to date. Should be useful for laptop use.
Time Machine. This is more exciting to me in that it makes the Mac by far the best desktop system for any home use besides gaming. Though it has already garnered complaints from some power-users, this application seems to be more useful for the casual computer user crowd.
There are a lot of other things that make this upgrade worth it to me at this point, which I won't go into, but it has occurred to me that perhaps what excites me most about this system is the load of little things that will make my computer more useful, more powerful, and more fun.
Labels: anticipation, apple, computer, mac, new stuff, software
The Mac, Part 2
Monday, August 27, 2007
Continued from Part 1...Software
One of my requirements was to be able to run my essential design software, such as Dreamweaver and Fireworks. Luckily, these two programs come in Mac versions, and I didn't have to buy anything new. I was also able to find Mac versions or equivalents of all the software I need. Naturally, I immediately installed Firefox, which I find is somewhat faster on the Mac. I got Adium for instant messaging, and was amazed at how much better it is than any of its Windows counterparts. For recording, I decided to invest in new software rather than run my stone-age copy of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 through a Virtual Machine. I purchased Logic Express 7 along with the computer, and while I still have a long while to go before I have really learned how to use it, I am impressed by what I have seen so far. On a related note, I also am quite impressed with GarageBand '08, which is really good for quickly stitching stuff together. The included software instruments are also spectacular. iMovie is also quite good for quick jobs, though it lacks some really important features, and can be a bit frustrating in its simplicity. For example, I find its automatic transition length feature to be annoying and difficult to turn off.
Complaints
As much as I love my new MacBook (and even though it's as close to perfect as I have yet seen a computer come), I do have some complaints. Possibly the biggest problem I have is the lack of a filmstrip view in Finder. I would like to second Molly Wood of Buzz out Loud in saying that I am astonished that an OS that is so graphically oriented would lack such a useful feature.
Also, it can be a bit annoying for a former Windows user to realize that clicking the Big Red Close Button doesn't exit the program, but merely the window. To actually quit the program and free up RAM, you have to click the Application name in the Finder bar and click quit or click Cmd-Q. As I use the computer more, I am starting to not mind this so much... it's just a matter of getting used to it.
The only other annoyance I can think of is the lack of a "start" type app menu... While the dock is great, it is more comparable to Windows desktop icons, and opening the application folder a billion times can get a bit annoying.
Wrap Up
I'll make this short... I really like my MacBook (as I'm sure you could tell) and am now a loyal Apple fan. This computer is for people that are serious about computing, but is also easy enough for beginners to use. I'll write another analysis after I have used it longer.
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P.S. I really like the Expose feature and find it beats the crap out of Aero's "Flip."
The Mac, Part 1
Monday, August 27, 2007
All right... so earlier I said I'd do a sort of review of my new machine...and I wasn't lying. So here goes Part 1 of what will be a continuing saga chronicling select parts of the life of my new MacBook.The Box
My MacBook arrived in a brown cardboard box courtesy of FedEx... I must congratulate Apple on the superfast buildup and shipping times, they saved my life. Inside this corrugated brown box was the elegantly designed MacBook box. I must admit that Apple sure has style like no other. I rabidly tore through the outer packaging and beheld my bride (sort of). Lookwise, it's totally awesome. From the glowing Apple logo on the back of the display to the lights on the caps lock and num lock keys on the super-smooth keyboard, this is a computer that just begs to be used.
First Impressions
I hurried to flip open the notebook and turn it on. After using it a few minutes, I was pleased to see that even though I have been a right clicker since I was three (or thereabouts), I did not have too much trouble getting around. I immediately was taken in by the slickness and smoothness of the entire experience. There is just something about this computer that makes it work. While it is super fast, it is not jerky, like Windows can sometimes be.
To Be Continued...
Wow.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Alright. I admit it. Windows sucks...compared to a Mac.I just got my MacBook yesterday, and it totally rocks. It's smoking fast and absolutely gorgeous... I'll write a fuller review later...
Dying of Anticipation
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I just ordered my Macbook last Thursday, and have been in a state of anticipation ever since. It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning...wicked fast, Apple! It will be my first Mac, and I have very high expectations. It's the white 2.16 GHz model, with 120 Gb hard drive and 2 Gb of RAM. It will have Logic Express preinstalled (I've been using an ancient copy of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 up to now...time for something...modern...and Mac compatible.) As a student, I also get a $200 rebate on any iPod $200 or more, so I bought a 30Gb white iPod with video (just arrived via FedEx...beats the crap out of my old Zen V Plus in almost every way...love it). And I also got a $100 rebate on a $100 printer... sweeeeet! Well, I've got to get back to waiting... and getting my accumulated mess of files into order for transfer onto the new machine...Maybe I'll write a review...
'Till then,
Happily anticipating.
Labels: anticipation, apple, computer, mac
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