whirlybird Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Hi Everyone. After having posted a suggestion to the Featured Requests section of the forum (where Thoth so kindly chatted with me) I decided to stop lurking and send out an official hello. I've enjoyed everyone's posts and am really impressed with how helpful and supportive everyone has been. Now that I'm retired I'm having quite a bit of fun spending my time writing. Since I have multiple computers that I like to dabble on, I sent a message to the Storyist site asking if I would have to purchase several copies of the program so that I can use the program on all three computers. I was surprised to get an answer as quick as I did and from the developer no less. That sold me on the program right there and I haven't been sorry. I really have enjoyed using the program and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a well thought out writing program. I may never get anything published but I'm having fun writing. And that's what counts for me. Take care all. Whirlybird PS-As I told Thoth, I just learned how to make my first avatar today. Now I don't feel so naked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Welcome to the forums! Yes, Steve is a fabulous resource (Thoth, too—and he's about to cross the big 4K line [4,000 posts] ). Happy writing, Marguerite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Hello Whirlybird, and M. Yes, Customer Service is one of Storyist's great strengths. And, of course, Steve, busy as he is, has been amazing. And M, since you mentioned it, here is my four thousandth post. Talk about milestones. -Thoth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Hi whirlybird, Welcome! Thanks for posting. -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Thank you, Marguerite, Thoth, and Steve for the warm welcome! I've read just a fraction of the instances where Steve has answered a question personally. That really stands out in my book. I don't know where he finds the time. I've also seen where you, Marguerite and Thoth, have chimed in even before Steve gets a chance. It is such a nice way for people to get to know the program and to realize that they're not alone trying to struggle through a specific issue they're trying to solve. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sorry, Thoth. I forgot to say congratulations on your 4,000th post! And Marguerite you're not doing too bad yourself. Good work, guys. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sorry, Thoth. I forgot to say congratulations on your 4,000th post! And Marguerite you're not doing too bad yourself. Good work, guys. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 I've also seen where you, Marguerite and Thoth, have chimed in even before Steve gets a chance. I've noticed this too (time and time again ) and it's something I'm particularly grateful for. -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 My pleasure. Whirlybird, Thoth and I are beta testers. We go back to version 1.1, in my case, and even earlier in his. So I, at least, have managed over four years to make most of the mistakes that are possible in Storyist, which gives me a reasonably good sense of how to undo them (although the iPad app seems to have spawned a whole new layer of potential confusion, and I'm not always able to help out there). We also get the program for free, so answering questions in the forums is that little bit of payback. Plus Storyist is just a great program, and I want other people to like it as much as I do! Best, M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Steve-for as busy as you must be I can see how all their help is very much appreciated. It is also very easy to tell by everyone's posts that they are genuinely excited about Storyist and it's catchy. Of course, the program is great in it's own right but this just takes it to a higher level. Marguerite-I'm very excited about Storyist and I've only been using it for a few months. I've told a lot of my friends but, alas, most don't have Macs. Some have gotten iPads so that's a start. Wow, you've been using Storyist for four years. That's wonderful! And, by using it for so long, you really know your stuff. I guess the iPad version is new for everyone so there has to be some sort of learning curve involved. The iPad version is my next purchase. I've held off because, although I type emails and short messages, I do like typing on a real keyboard better for longer periods. By getting the program for free and then sharing your knowledge to spread the word and to help others sound like a nice symbiotic relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 ... by using it for so long, you really know your stuff. She absolutely does. ...The iPad version is my next purchase. I've held off because, although I type emails and short messages, I do like typing on a real keyboard better for longer periods. .... That's been my main problem too: I don't care much for the flat ersatz keyboard. (I had such high hopes for the iPad. We'll see what the iPad 3 brings us.) By getting the program for free and then sharing your knowledge to spread the word and to help others sound like a nice symbiotic relationship. "We are nothing if not symbiotic." - the Packled Captain to Geordi La Forge from ST:TNG. -T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Writing at length on the iPad seems to me to be a bit of a challenge, unless one employs an add-on keyboard (which I have done, with good results). Others on these forums are writing novels and screenplays on the iPad with no access to the Mac version. More power to 'em. I wouldn't try it myself. But I do find the iPad app—which costs a whopping $9.99, remember—to be a great tool for revising and for structuring. For example, I can read through my novel in progress and enter any changes directly into the text, then open the edited file seamlessly on the Mac. I can't add fields on the iPad, but I can type a bunch of information into sheets, add sheets and images as needed, and open those on my Mac. And I can do these things while sitting on the couch, rather than turning my back on my family. Worth $10 to me! Marguerite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thoth and Marguerite, Great points. I didn't know that the flat keyboard on the iPad is an ersatz keyboard. Cool. I don't fault the iPad for it not being the best for lengthy writing. It's great to just pick up and run and write a few quick notes. I find my most common mistakes when typing on it are touching the capitalization key instead of the 'a' and not reaching the spacebar and getting an 'n'. I haven't used the add-on keyboard but I have the one for my iMac so I could try it with that only if I was going to do a lot of writing. I agree that at less than $10 the iPad version is a great price. I do like the idea of doing some quick editing while on the go with my iPad when I wouldn't normally have my MacBook Airs. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they will put on the iPad3. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 ... I didn't know that the flat keyboard on the iPad is an ersatz keyboard. Well, it's not a genuine keyboard since it contains no actual keys. It's just an inferior substitute for a keyboard. Adding a real keyboard just defeats the purpose of a tablet computer. You might as well buy a laptop. IMHO. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they will put on the iPad3. I think they're going to add intelligent voice control (like on the iPhone 4S) and maybe a telephone (like, well, you know). But don't quote me. -T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 I think they're going to add intelligent voice control (like on the iPhone 4S) and maybe a telephone (like, well, you know). But don't quote me. Now that I'm learning to make these quotes, I had to quote you. I like the IVC and the telephone idea. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Now that I'm learning to make these quotes, I had to quote you. I like the IVC and the telephone idea. From your lips...er...fingers, to Apple's ears. -t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thoth, Are you using the iCloud thing yet? The only reason I'm asking is I'd like the iPad3 to have an even bigger hard drive such as 128G. Some people are telling me the iCloud will solve that issue. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Are you using the iCloud thing yet? Nope. I have mixed feelings about the whole cloud issue and the cycles of centralization and decentralization computer technology experiences as a whole since the first mainframes. Look at the Kindle Fire. They're not only letting you move your data to the cloud but browser processing power as well. This may become the trend for the next few years. So much so that the "cloud" may become inescapable. Then a few major server farms will crash and people will want their data and programs and processing power back on their desktop. The only reason I'm asking is I'd like the iPad3 to have an even bigger hard drive such as 128G. Some people are telling me the iCloud will solve that issue. I wouldn't mind more flash memory on the iPad either. (I'd like more ports too! But I guess the whole point of a tablet computer is not to be tied down by wires.) Does the iCloud solve your storage problem? That's a big fat maybe. It can store the data, sure. But tell me, are you happy with your file transfer speeds now? What will it be like when you're competing for broadcast bandwidth (WiFi, etcetera) with millions of local devices, all trying to get into the "cloud"? Who knows? They used to say the same thing about coax cable. We'll all muddle through somehow. -Thoth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I have iOS 5 on my iPad and 10.7.2 on my desktop, so I am using iCloud to some degree. Mostly to sync my address book and calendar. Since I rarely buy things (mostly iBooks and Kindle books) on my iPad, don't have a camera, and use Storyist rather than Pages, I don't have the experiences shown in the iCloud video (you buy/snap/change it here, it shows up there). And I don't use it explicitly for Backup, because like Thoth I take a skeptical view of the whole cloud phenomenon. So for me, the only difference between iCloud and MobileMe/.Mac is that it's become a bigger headache to access my iDisk, which used to be right there in my Finder Sidebar. And, of course, iDisk itself will go away next June. So I'm moving selected backups to Dropbox, but even then I see files on my computer as the "master" copies. Technology firms—Apple especially—are just too ready for my taste to abandon perfectly good formats and products for the next great thing, even if it leaves their users stranded. Goodness, I sound like a curmudgeon. But iCloud has not impressed me so far. Back to the novel that gave me my avatar, M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve E Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I have iOS 5 on my iPad and 10.7.2 on my desktop, so I am using iCloud to some degree. Mostly to sync my address book and calendar. Since I rarely buy things (mostly iBooks and Kindle books) on my iPad, don't have a camera, and use Storyist rather than Pages, I don't have the experiences shown in the iCloud video (you buy/snap/change it here, it shows up there). And I don't use it explicitly for Backup, because like Thoth I take a skeptical view of the whole cloud phenomenon. So for me, the only difference between iCloud and MobileMe/.Mac is that it's become a bigger headache to access my iDisk, which used to be right there in my Finder Sidebar. And, of course, iDisk itself will go away next June. Ah, but M, Apple wants you to buy things. They want you to get that camera. They want you to use Pages rather than Storyist (darn their Steve-less black hearts!). The question in my mind is, how far will they go to force us to do things their way? They're already dropping iDisk (next June, as you say). Remember all the iDisk hype? When do you think they'll start charging for iCloud connections. "Think Differently", my ass. (My bank wants to start charging my checking account monthly unless I give them my direct deposit business. ) Goodness, I sound like a curmudgeon. ... Hey! Steve said that's my job! (Curmudgeon away. There's plenty of room.) -T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 I'd like more ports too I just had a situation where I needed to copy a video file from my iPad and I was away from my iTunes. I definitely like the idea of having a port. What will it be like when you're competing for broadcast bandwidth (WiFi, etcetera) with millions of local devices, all trying to get into the "cloud"? I would guess much slower than I'd like. And I agree that I would fear that I would either lose my content if there was some sort of crash on the iCloud or at least be without it for a long while. so I am using iCloud to some degree. Mostly to sync my address book and calendar. I've only been using MobileMe to do the syncing and never got into iDisk. When do you think they'll start charging for iCloud connections. My understanding is/was that you can store you Apple purchased items on the iCloud for free (at least for now) but you have to pay for non-Apple purchased items if you want to store them there. I have lots of non-Apple purchased stuff so that would cost me a lot. I have my iTunes on an external drive because it's way too big for my 1TB 27"iMac. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 My understanding is/was that you can store you Apple purchased items on the iCloud for free (at least for now) but you have to pay for non-Apple purchased items if you want to store them there. I have lots of non-Apple purchased stuff so that would cost me a lot. I have my iTunes on an external drive because it's way too big for my 1TB 27"iMac. -Whirlybird Right. But MobileMe started out free, too, back when it was .Mac. Then Apple decided it was worth $99/year. As I recall, that was even before it got its goofy name (at least, iCloud is an improvement over .me, although I've just about had it with the iEverything). Thoth can speak for himself, but I suspect that's what he was referring to. And yes, you can buy extra storage on iCloud for $20-50/year, which is very reasonable even compared to Dropbox. I haven't dashed to sign up, though, in part because I wonder how long the "introductory pricing" will last. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 that was even before it got its goofy name I've only known MobileMe so I've had nothing to compare it to. I liked it because it would sync my iCal, Address book and a few other things between devised (Marguerite, I believe you mentioned this somewhere). The only other thing about .me that I like is that I have a .me email address which is nice and short and people, for some reason, are impressed with it although they have no idea it's an Apple thing. And yes, you can buy extra storage on iCloud for $20-50/year, which is very reasonable even compared to Dropbox. I haven't dashed to sign up, though, in part because I wonder how long the "introductory pricing" will last Since I have a big external hard drive with an even bigger backup drive, is there any sense in going to the iCloud. Or is it that I can access my iTunes (which is associated with my iMac and its external hard drive) on my MacBook Air? I guess I'm not getting what the advantage is to the consumer. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marguerite Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 There is an advantage to having important files backed up offsite, in case something happens to your house. There is also a disadvantage to having files backed up offsite (security, primarily: the backup companies swear everything is encrypted and accessible only to you, but are your banking records, say, really safe?). Other companies besides Apple offer backup services, and some have longer or better track records. Or at least they are less likely to pull the rug out from under you, which is essentially what Apple has done with MobileMe. The advantage to iCloud is supposed to be a bit different. If you have apps on your Mac(s) and your iOS devices that are set up to work with iCloud (and that's a big if, at the moment), it will back up your documents and their changes without you having to do anything. So you can edit a file in Pages on your iPad, and next time you open the same file on your Mac, it will contain the changes. And since those iCloud-aware/Lion-aware apps also preserve previous versions of files, you benefit even if, like me, you tend to make a change, then decide that you like some of the previous wording and want to merge them. That's how it works in principle. I haven't tried it myself, though. Best, M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlybird Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 in case something happens to your house I guess I was thinking why I would want to send out my personal files out to an unknown location for unknown things to happen to it. You have stated a very good reason to have an off-site backup. And you also bring up great points such as how reliable a backup company is and how safe is their encryption. Since I, like you, have MobileMe I thought it would be around for awhile and not go away like the dodo bird. it will back up your documents and their changes without you having to do anything. So you can edit a file in Pages on your iPad, and next time you open the same file on your Mac, it will contain the changes. And since those iCloud-aware/Lion-aware apps also preserve previous versions of files, you benefit even if, like me, you tend to make a change, then decide that you like some of the previous wording and want to merge them. I've just signed up at DropBox now that I've downloaded the Storyist iPad version with my birthday money (I feel like a ten year old kid). Haven't used it yet and don't even know how. If all goes according to Apple plans, would be able to use the iCloud instead of DropBox to see the changes to our manuscripts, etc from say our iPad to iMac and then back again? Thus far, I've saved all my changes to my Storyist story on my Air and iMac with a USB. Since it's timestamped more than once I've gone back to the previous day's version because I found that I didn't like my newest revision. -Whirlybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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