I don't usually talk about technique or really worry about what program posts are written on, but I've recently given Ommwriter Dana II a go because it was recommended to me. So I decided to set up a thread discussing what programs get used for writing posts and so forth, because my previous program of choice was whatever word processor I had handy.
The reason why I found it attractive enough to plunk down a few bucks for to buy is that it offered a reduced-distraction environment for writing and concentration. Of late, I've found that I tend to write posts when I slow down during a jog and the creative juices are flowing and I only have one freakin' screen rather than two screens, a taskbar, stuff that flashes in the background to notify me of a new message or whatever. Basically, I was writing on the phone because it was in a place of less distraction and more concentration, and when someone in IRC mentioned to me a program that helps recreate that environment, I said, "Okay, let's try it!"
And so Ommwriter sort of dispels all that very simply; full screen or nuthin', and it blanks out screen #2.
Well, it actually does seem to deliver what it's advertising in that sense -- immersion into the writing, and a blocker from all the little distractions. It keeps the popups from interrupting you.
The music is kinda cheesy, but it also fades right into the background fast, but I never had a problem writing with any kind of music so the music may well be a deal breaker. In that case, disable the elevator music and run a music app; it doesn't block that. I don't particularly mind the elevator music in most cases, but I wanted to see what I could do about music choices if I wasn't feeling the new age. I also disable the keyboard sounds because I already use a mechanical keyboard and get the sound feedback thing going naturally.
Ommwriter is very skimpy on formatting, but since the Guild uses BBcode anyway, it's not hard to just type it out manually (that's what I do anyway). The program does .txt and a proprietary file type, but that means I can open just about everything I have, as my RP stuff tends to be saved in .txt, making the transition pretty seamless for me. I suppose if I were doing something that required actual typefacing and editing, I'd copy and paste from ommwriter to Word or Librewriter or whatever I'm using and finish it off in there, though I have yet to use Ommwriter for a business purpose and don't expect to put it to that use very often at all.
Seeing as it is a 'set your own price' download, it's also a good buy for the average Guild member, as you can, if things are tight, lowball on the cost.
The reason why I found it attractive enough to plunk down a few bucks for to buy is that it offered a reduced-distraction environment for writing and concentration. Of late, I've found that I tend to write posts when I slow down during a jog and the creative juices are flowing and I only have one freakin' screen rather than two screens, a taskbar, stuff that flashes in the background to notify me of a new message or whatever. Basically, I was writing on the phone because it was in a place of less distraction and more concentration, and when someone in IRC mentioned to me a program that helps recreate that environment, I said, "Okay, let's try it!"
And so Ommwriter sort of dispels all that very simply; full screen or nuthin', and it blanks out screen #2.
Well, it actually does seem to deliver what it's advertising in that sense -- immersion into the writing, and a blocker from all the little distractions. It keeps the popups from interrupting you.
The music is kinda cheesy, but it also fades right into the background fast, but I never had a problem writing with any kind of music so the music may well be a deal breaker. In that case, disable the elevator music and run a music app; it doesn't block that. I don't particularly mind the elevator music in most cases, but I wanted to see what I could do about music choices if I wasn't feeling the new age. I also disable the keyboard sounds because I already use a mechanical keyboard and get the sound feedback thing going naturally.
Ommwriter is very skimpy on formatting, but since the Guild uses BBcode anyway, it's not hard to just type it out manually (that's what I do anyway). The program does .txt and a proprietary file type, but that means I can open just about everything I have, as my RP stuff tends to be saved in .txt, making the transition pretty seamless for me. I suppose if I were doing something that required actual typefacing and editing, I'd copy and paste from ommwriter to Word or Librewriter or whatever I'm using and finish it off in there, though I have yet to use Ommwriter for a business purpose and don't expect to put it to that use very often at all.
Seeing as it is a 'set your own price' download, it's also a good buy for the average Guild member, as you can, if things are tight, lowball on the cost.
