Software that's enjoyable ... software that's a drudgery

Posted by Hugh
Mar 1, 2015 at 11:41 AM

Paul Korm wrote:
I couldn’t agree more. I enjoy my notebooks, my pens and pencils. I
>enjoy notetaking on paper more than anywhere else. As much as I enjoy
>CRIMPing and the software I’ve recommended in this thread and elsewhere,
>I believe that much of what I evaluate about working with this or that
>software is how close it comes to the same mental experience of writing
>in a notebook.
> >Ken wrote
>>Sometimes a piece of paper is my best friend, as it does not share its
>function with anything else, nor does stuff find its way onto the paper
>without my writing it.

I agree. Before word processors, before even personal computers, I made my living writing or re-writing thousands of words a week, and I used well-sharpened pencils, A4 pads - and the third essential tool (apart from a constant supply of coffee) rubbers (sorry, erasers) on the ends of the pencils (because nobody’s perfect). My requirements of software now are similar to those I required of that kit then: that it does what it purports to be able to do, and its “user interface” is clear.

However, I have to say that with rare exceptions I gain greater satisfaction from ends rather than means. I can put up with quite a few minor failings and imperfections in the tools I use, as long as the objectives towards which I’m working promise to bring me enjoyment.