Mac Computers

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Comment by Steve Novak on December 7, 2010 at 2:29pm

Thanks, Kevin! I've been dutifully using MS Word all this time and this Scrivener looks like something I need to try. Keeping all my notes and files related to each book readily available and organized in one program? Priceless.

Comment by Kevin Cullis on December 7, 2010 at 10:17am

Hi Susan,

The one that comes to mind is Scrivener (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php) that might be helpful. HTH.

Kevin

Comment by Susan Lundstedt on December 7, 2010 at 9:50am

Forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong place.....I haven't figured out just how to navigate through sites of this sort yet, and I only have a few minutes before I have to pick up my mother and take her to the oral surgeon (ouch).

Many years ago when computers were first coming into use in printing and publishing (yes, I am indeed that old) I worked in what was then called the "Creative" department, as opposed to the "Editorial" dept. So, I learned most of what I know, using Quark. I left publishing behind when it started to get to precarious...and now make maps for a living....

However, I think I may have a novel in me, and what I'd like to ask is, do any of you have any experience with word processors or copy writing software other than Word (which I hate) and Pages (of which I have many of the same complaints). I want a good no-nonsense writing program (possibly with some sort of character and research note tracking) not something that is trying to be a page make-up program and dish-washer combined.

Any thoughts, suggestions or war stories would be welcome. I've been away soooo long.

Thanks.

Comment by Gary Roberts on September 23, 2010 at 5:37pm

Bradley

I've been using Freeway Pro for over 6 years. All my sites are created and managed with it (exception being the blog, which is Typepad).

Softpress stays on top of problems with updates as well as adding new features requested in the forums. The forums alone are worth it... both the staff and users frequent the forums and are always helpful in resolving problems simple or complex. There are also a raft of apps offered by various people to enhance Freeway.

The drag and drop feature is great, however I prefer to import graphics to have better control over the thumbnail and parent image. If you're working with low res jpeg images, drag and drop is easy.

In the real world, comparing Freeway to all the software I used while working in libraries, I prefer Freeway Pro hands down. It's incredibly flexible and powerful or fairly simple and direct, depending upon your choice. If you spend some time looking through the gallery section of the Softpress website, you'll see the array of sites people create, both professional and non-professional.

There's the typical learning curve, but nothing like Dreamweaver or any of the current high end content management programs out there. But then, Freeway was built for the Mac, so we don't have to deal with all the Windows junk.

There are free trials which I strongly recommend. The new version of Pro, 5.5, is even more feature loaded and worth the price. Or, you can choose to ignore the power features and build a simple site.

iWeb is not content management, it's just a web page program. Moving up to Freeway gives you greater control over a website rather than a web page.

Gary

Comment by Bradley Flora on September 23, 2010 at 1:20pm

Gary,

Whoa. It sounds like the drag-and-drop web devel feature with Freeway Pro and Freeway Express could potentially allow just about any publisher to easily create a quality website. Is this one of the features that you like most about the software, and how well does it work in the real world?

Thanks.

Comment by Gary Roberts on September 22, 2010 at 11:42pm

Forget iWeb and get Freeway Pro or Freeway Express, both great for web design and content management on a Mac.

Comment by Kevin Cullis on September 22, 2010 at 6:38pm

Thanks for the post Christina.

Comment by Christina Vaughan on September 22, 2010 at 4:10pm

Regarding iWeb, if you have a host other than Mobile Me, you can have a business website, although iWeb is a little limited in layout. I put my iWeb website on www.machighway.com. Mac and iWeb friendly. You have to use another ftp program to upload, though. I use Automator because it's FREE.

Christina Vaughan, www.youdrawitbooks.com

Comment by Gary Roberts on June 14, 2010 at 12:05am

Pat

Very nice work. Clean and navigable interface that leads the reader to where you want them. Sans serif fonts read well too. My only recommendation would be to change the font color to black. While mundane, it is still the most legible way to read online. You don't know what computer or monitor the reader is using, which may or may not change the color values.

Otherwise, great job and kudos to your family.

Gary

Comment by Patricia Pillard McCulley on June 13, 2010 at 11:12am

All those who commented on my webpage issues, go and take a look. My son and husband did it according to my specs and design requirements. It's still in process tho. Used WordPress.
www.FindingTheLostUniversalPrinciples.com

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