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Advice needed from Mac owners
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Posted by Kenneth Rhee
May 1, 2007 at 09:30 PM
I’m thinking of getting a Mac Notebook to create a dedicated writing machine for myself. I can’t change to Mac completely, but I can use the notebook for writing.
At this point, I’m thinking, a couple of programs to use in the program. I won’t load so many program like I have done with my Thinkpad, but I figured there are some essential programs I need for writing.
1. Tinderbox (one of the reasons I want to get the Mac notebook). I got tired of waiting for the Windows version.
2. Mac Wordprocessor (I can’t recall the one that has been recommended here)
3. Bibliographic software (I think I might stick with Endnote)
I can get MS Office for Mac through a program we have at my university.
So, is there any other program can you recommend for writing?
Posted by David Dunham
May 1, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Well, I use Opal for all my writing projects. (Shouldn’t be a big surprise.)
I’m not a big Word fan, I tend to use Pages for things that need any kind of layout.
Contact me once you have your Mac and I’ll give you a discount.
Posted by Franz Grieser
May 1, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Kenneth
>1. Tinderbox (one of the reasons I want to get the Mac
>notebook). I got tired of waiting for the Windows version.
You´ll get Yoyimbo with the Tinderbox license. Yoyimbo is a nice clipping manager and text database. It’s not as powerful as Zoot, Infoselect or Ultra Recall but a good piece of software where you may put stuff and organize it before moving it to Tinderbox.
>2. Mac Wordprocessor (I
>can’t recall the one that has been recommended here)
I recommend Scrivener (http://www.litteratureandlatte.com).
If you don´t like it: Check out Jer´s Novel Writer, Ulysses or Avenir.
>3. Bibliographic software (I
>think I might stick with Endnote)
>
>I can get MS Office for Mac through a program we have
>at my university.
A free alternative to Microsoft Office is NeoOffice (the Java edition of Mac OpenOffice.org).
>So, is there any other program can you recommend for writing?
If the outlining feature in Scrivener does not satisfy you, check out
- Omnioutliner (http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnioutliner/)
- or TAO (http://artec-software.com/products/neo/en_index.html) - both are excellent outliners; for my needs, however, the outliner in Scrivener is more than good enough.
In case, Yoyimbo/Tinderbox does you meet your requirements, try Devonthink Pro or Office.
I think the piece of software you were looking for is Scrivener.
Franz
Posted by Franz Grieser
May 1, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Ah,
I forgot Opal as an alternative outliner - sorry David.
Franz
Posted by Jonathan Probber
May 1, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Kenneth - I’m a Mac user of 2 weeks’ vintage. Check out Scrivener: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.htm
Seems a great organizing/writing tool.
I’ve not seen Opal, but a version of OmniOutliner was residing on my new MacBook.. They’ll try and get you to upgrade for $$$$, so you may want to switch over to Opal if Mr. Dunham can cut you a discount (I might take him up on such an offer myself!).
I’ve used AbiWord and OpenOffice on Windows. Unless your writing needs are complex, AbiWord for OS X should be fine. If you need an office suite, try NeoOffice (an OS X specific port of Open Office). If you still need Microsoft, wait until the end of the year when the new version of Office for Mac is released.
Anyway, enjoy your Mac….I am!
Jon