What would be your ideal software/tools to help you write?

Discussion in 'Writing Software and Hardware' started by OverTheHill, Sep 27, 2013.

  1. tupbup

    tupbup Member

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    I move around a lot when I write, laptop, desktop, handwriting, diddy laptop ... If it wasn't for dropbox I'd be forever wondering whether I'm working on the latest version of my work or not. The only problem I have with that is, if I handwrite anything it doesn't fit in very well with everything else. I can type it into the main document after but in a world of perfect technology it'd be nice to just scan it in and have it converted into the same text/file type as everything else without me having to do anything complicated :)
     
  2. ChaosReigns

    ChaosReigns Ov The Left Hand Path Contributor

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    that sounds cool, or a USB pen that records what you writes and saves it as a word document!
     
  3. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

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    Isn't there such a pen? Not a USB one but a pen that records what you write and that you can transfer later as text in document? I've heard about something like that but I'm not sure what it's called!
     
  4. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    There are actually a few already on the market. ;)
     
  5. Michael Timothy

    Michael Timothy New Member

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    I'd like this a million times if I could. Well said, sir.
     
  6. ChaosReigns

    ChaosReigns Ov The Left Hand Path Contributor

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    sweet! i must look into them
     
  7. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

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    Scrivener. I started using it in August and, not meaning to sound too dramatic, it's revolutionised the way I write. Just having chapters, notes, plans, etc all there within easy reach, being able to rearrange things easily, setting session targets that motivate me as I see the bar filling and turning green - it's a really great piece of software.
     
    FlyFast likes this.
  8. Dresden260

    Dresden260 Corrupt Diplomat

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    I just use word. I don't like spending money on any of the fancy writing programs out there.
     
  9. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

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    It's not really like the difference between writing with a pen in a notepad and writing with a pen in a slightly fancier notepad though. Using something better will save you time, help you to organise everything and (probably) be more productive as a result.

    I mean, Scrivener is only $40 after all. A few of the main pieces of software have free trials too, so you can always try them out.
     
  10. A.M.P.

    A.M.P. People Buy My Books for the Bio Photo Contributor

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    I need 3 things

    1) OpenOffice
    2) A dictionary/thesaurus
    3) internet to use the dictionary/thesaurus
     
  11. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    My dictionary requires no internet, and no power source. Only enough light to see the pages, and enough dexterity to turn the pages.

    My thesaurus reminds me when I need to do some dusting.
     
  12. Duchess-Yukine-Suoh

    Duchess-Yukine-Suoh Girl #21 Contributor

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    I would love something that can read my mind and write my thoughts down. I don't like to type that much/write by hand/talk, so the only thing I really do when I "write" is draw rough pictures and add captions. (And that is why all my books are graphic novels)
     
  13. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

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    If you don't mind me asking - what's the benefit of a paper dictionary when an electronic one is far quicker and has more detailed descriptions?
     
  14. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

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    Exactly what he said - no internet, no power source. Internet may be faster, but what do you need more detailed descriptions for (unless the basic definition is written poorly)?
     
  15. Komposten

    Komposten Insanitary pile of rotten fruit Contributor

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    I use both. When working on a computer I use an internet-based dictionary (if I have access to internet), and when working with paper and pen I use an ordinary one (if I've got access to one).

    A good thing with internet-based ones is that they often provide more examples of how to use the word, a pro when you end with a lot of synonyms and don't know which one to use.
     
  16. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

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    If you have "a lot" of synonyms and don't know what they mean, you should drop them all and go with the word you do know.
     
  17. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

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    Exactly. And who doesn't have Internet or power in 2013? Also you can get them downloaded on most phones that don't require an Internet connection to use.
     
  18. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    i'm wondering if those 'smart pens' produce an editable version in typescript, or just transfer the handwriting to the screen...

    if the latter, i don't seen it being any improvement over writing with a normal pen and then having to type it into the computer...

    and if the former, i have to wonder how accurately it can transcribe the scrawls that pass for many folks' handwriting...
     
  19. Komposten

    Komposten Insanitary pile of rotten fruit Contributor

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    Take a look at Samsung's Galaxy Note-tablets. With them you can change the usual Android keyboard for a handwriting pad. It does recognize my handwriting almost perfectly, and it has to be damn good software for that. If these pens are at the same level there shouldn't be any problems.
     
  20. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

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    You obviously don't live in a rural area, or haven't traveled in them, nor had the battery in your phone get low. Power and/or internet is not a given - a book is always ready.
     
  21. Komposten

    Komposten Insanitary pile of rotten fruit Contributor

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    Not being a native speaker of English it happens quite a lot that I look up a word that I've never known in English. That's when it is good with examples, most words will have more than one translation.
     
  22. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

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    What if you haven't got it with you?

    Just messing - different strokes and all that - but carrying a charger is no different than carrying a book around everywhere, except with the benefit of it being far quicker to look things up.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2013
  23. A.M.P.

    A.M.P. People Buy My Books for the Bio Photo Contributor

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    Real question is why would anyone be traveling and all of a sudden need it or the internet to use it?
    If you are doing any writing, odds are one of the two versions will be available, and even a dictionary app.

    Honestly, if you have no cellphone data coverage to go online/get an app, no power to charge the phone, no physical copy of the books, no internet, if your PC crashes, if you're phone get's stolen....
    All these horrible things can happen... if they do, the real question is why are you still trying to write and not fix them?

    "Oh, but I'm in a cabin in the woods."
    Then don't forget to bring a physical copy...

    "Power went out for days!"
    Writing your novel probably shouldn't be a priority. Maybe getting out of there to somewhere safe and warm with a fridge to keep your perishables from perishing...

    RAGE!!!!
     
  24. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Wow. Where's the thread on Internet addiction...

    Yes, I use online dictionaries. I also use hard copy ones. I often look up words in more than one of them. Also, I will at times indulge in reading definitions I encounter along the way.

    Sometimes the journey is more enlightening than the destination.

    Remember books? Those quaint little blocks that open to reveal paper covered with words?
     
  25. Michael Timothy

    Michael Timothy New Member

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    Online dictionaries are a go-to simply because I do all of my writing on the computer. I have pen and paper backup to keep working if I need to, bu no dictionary or thesaurus for now. I plan on even building a library in my new place, and those will be among the first additions.
     

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