Scrivener + OneNote = Perfection
As a relatively new Mac user, I am completely enjoying my introduction into the wonderful world of Mac Application. Unlike many Windows Apps that still sport a 1990s Windows ME look, Mac Apps are clean and contemporary.
One of the new applications I am falling in love with is Scrivener. Scrivener is a writing tool without equal.
Unfortunately, for someone like me trying to juggle both a Windows OS world and a Mac OS world, there is nothing close to Scrivener for Windows. I have tried many of the suggested applications, but without exception, the Windows apps lack the killer features Scrivener offers.
For me, it's not too critical, because I do have a Mac, and Scrivener is quickly becoming part of my workflow. What I am missing on the Mac side is Microsoft OneNote. As with Scrivener, OneNote is without equal as an information gathering tool. The newest version of OneNote 2010, just released this spring, takes the app from good to Wow! I love OneNote.
This got me to thinking about my "perfect" toolbox. What would it look like if all applications were cross-platform?
Here is my Windows toolbox (Work):
- OneNote (structured research for projects/papers. Better organization, note-taking, highlighting, compiling)
- Evernote (general information capture)
- PersonalBrain (long-term information store. Shows connection between areas of focus. Thoughts link to pages in OneNote or Evernote)
- MindManager (Dashboards for planning and 30,000 to 50,000 related tasks. Mindjet the maker of MindManager offers a Mac version of MindManager, but it is essentially a new purchase at upgrade pricing. At $XXX+, that's too much for cross-platform convenience.)
- Microsoft Word (like it or not, most of my writing must end up in Word format, which is the standardized format in most sectors)
- TaskAngel / Toodledo for list management and GTD implementation
- GoToDo app on Android mobile phone syncs with Toodledo
- I will add The Journal to this list. I have played with the trial version the last few weeks, and this will become my writing tool. Prior to this, I have used Microsoft Word.
Here is my Mac OS toolbox (Home):
- Evernote (sync with my Windows data)
- PersonalBrain (syncs with my Windows brain via SugarSync)
- OmniOutliner (the best outliner I have used without question. If only it was available for Windows!)
- Scrivener (This is where my search for a Windows replacement for Word started. I love Scrivener and would pay any price to have access to its features on both Mac and Windows. The Journal is my Scrivener counterpart in Windows, but to be honest, it's not even close.)
- Toodledo via the web interface.
What's missing from my Mac OS perfect world? OneNote. I love OneNote.
So, if we can engage in some fantasy right now, here is my "perfect" toolbox if all of the applications in the world were cross platform:
- OneNote
- MindManager
- PersonalBrain
- OmniOutliner
- Scrivener
- Microsort Word (a necessary final destination)
- OmniFocus (synching with Toodledo)
- GotToDo on my Android phone
What do you think? How would you blend applications in perfect world?
Windows 7 Installation Troubles
OK, I must admit that I was eager to see Windows 7 on my laptop. I had installed the Release Candidate this summer in a virtual machine, but I wanted to see it in all of its glory, unhindered by any issues that may be caused by the virtual environment.
Once I saw Windows 7 available for download through Microsoft’s Software Assurance, I downloaded Windows 7 Pro (x64). My laptop is running Windows Vista Ultimate (x64) because that is what came preinstalled, and Windows 7 Ultimate is not available through the Software Assurance program.
This began a day-long journey through Microsoft installation hell.
The install program started without issue, and I ran the upgrade compatibility test. According to the test, my computer was ready to go. I started the installation only to be informed that I could not upgrade from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Pro.
OK, so I’ll try it on my desktop, which is running Vista Business x64. Again, my computer passes the upgrade compatibility test with flying colors and I begin the installation process. I make it through the complete installation and have Windows 7 running on my desktop. Everything is looking good, except the video display looks fuzzy. I do some investigating, and soon discover that my graphics card needs a Windows 7 driver. No problem, I think, I head to the manufacturer's website, click on drivers, find my graphics card, and download the Windows 7 64-bit driver. All is well. Click on the install program for the driver, and an error box pops up telling me that this driver will not work with the current operating system. Thinking I may have downloaded the wrong driver, I repeated the process and made sure I was downloading the Windows 7 64-bit driver. Click on the install and get the same error message. Hmmmm.
So, my troubleshooting mind goes to work, and I decide to try the Vista 64-bit driver. Download the file, click the install program, and get the same “this file will not work with your current operating system” error. I’m at a dead-end. I hookup the USB drive and restore my backup image. My desktop is now back to Vista Business.
OK, so I have one last option to try. I am running Windows XP Pro within a virtual machine on my Mac using VMWare Fusion. Unfortunately, I am running Windows XP Pro 32-bit on my Mac, so I need to download the Windows 7 Pro 32-bit install file. These install files are well over 2 gigabytes each. I download the install file, go into Windows XP Pro on my Mac, and try to do the upgrade. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Pro will not do an in-place upgrade from Windows XP Pro. Basically, it will be a clean install, which means having to reinstall all of my applications.
It’s at this point that give up on Windows 7. I’ve wasted five hours of time and I’m no closer to having Windows 7 running on one of my computers than I was when I started.
Does it really need to be this difficult? I couldn’t help but remember my upgrade experience a month ago when I upgraded my Mac OS from Leopard to Snow Leopard. I dropped the DVD into the drive and came back in an hour; my computer was fully upgraded and ready to go.
XP Pro to Windows 7 Easy Migration
What’s next? I came across this article on TechRepublic.com by Greg Schultz. He outlines an easy migration using a dual boot process. It looks promising. Maybe when I have a free day or two to try it again, I’ll try this process.
Until that time, I’ll stick with Vista and let all of the techies out there determine the best way to upgrade to Windows 7
Windows / Mac Applications Cross Comparison
I am now a Mac/Windows crossover. (In other words, I am going from a Windows OS to Mac OS.) A week ago I purchased my first Mac, a Macbook. While I think I am going to like it a lot, it is very different from what I am used to. I mentioned in a twitter post that it feels like I am driving from the right side passenger seat when I am used to driving from the left side driver’s seat. Everything is different.
One of the most obvious involves the software that I run my life on. Obviously, with almost 20 years of Windows experience, I have an extensive library of Windows-based software. Some of it transitions to the Mac nicely, but at a cost. Other titles simply are not available for the Mac.
(I will add, that while I do understand why software companies need to charge for both Mac versions and Windows version of the same software, it does seem unreasonable to charge full price if my desire is to transfer a license from Windows to Mac. A good balance, I think is Logos Bible Software. They charge a small fee for the Mac engine that drives their system, but all of the resources I have work in either a Mac or Windows environment. That’s reasonable. Adobe, on the other hand, appears to charge full price for one of their applications if I want to use it on my Mac rather than on Windows. That’s unreasonable.)
Here is a listen of the software I currently have installed on my Windows laptop and a comparison to what is available in the Mac OS. Note: If a program is unavailable for the Mac, this does not mean there are not alternative apps I can use instead of the Windows app, it just indicates there is not an windows-to-apple equal.
| Windows OS | Max OS | Note |
| AceReader Pro | Available for Purchase | |
| Acronis True Image Home | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Adobe Air | Available – Free Download | |
| Adobe Audition 3.0 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Adobe Fireworks CS4 | Available for Purchase | |
| Adobe Flash Player | Available – Free Download | |
| Adobe InDesign CS3 | Available for Purchase | |
| Adobe Media Player | Available – Free Download | |
| Adobe Reader 8.1.3 | Available – Free Download | |
| Adobe Shockwave Player | Available – Free Download | |
| AI Roboform | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Allway Sync | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Apple Mobile Device | Available – Free Download | |
| Audible Download Manager | Available – Free Download | |
| AVG Antivirus Free 8.0 | Not Applicable | |
| Bluebeam PDF Revu | ||
| Bonjour | ||
| Camtasia Studio 6 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| CCleaner | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| CyperLink DVD Suite | ||
| Diskeeper 2008 Pro | ||
| Dragon Naturally Speaking | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| eBook Library by Sony | ||
| Evernote | Available – Free Download | |
| FileZilla FTP Client | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Flock 2.0 | ||
| FranklinCovey PlanPlus | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Google Chrome | ||
| ISO Recorder | ||
| iTunes | Available – Free Download | |
| Java 6 | ||
| Journal Sync | ||
| Logos Bible Software | Available for Purchase | |
| Livescribe Desktop | ||
| Logitech QuickCam | ||
| Microsoft OneNote 2007 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Microsoft Office Pro 2007 | Available for Purchase | |
| Microsoft Silverlight | ||
| Microsoft Visual C++ | ||
| Mindjet MindManager 8 | Available for Purchase | |
| MobileMe Control Panel | ||
| Mozilla Firefox | Available – Free Download | |
| Mozilla Thunderbird | Available – Free Download | |
| MyScript for Livescribe | ||
| Netflix Movie Viewer | ||
| NetObjects Fusion 11.0 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| PhatNotes for Outlook | ||
| Picasa 3 | ||
| Quicken 2008 | Available for Purchase | |
| QuickTime | Available – Free Download | |
| ScanSoft OmniPage Pro | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| ScanSoft PaperPort 11 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| ScanSoft PDF Create | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| SecondLife | Available – Free Download | |
| Skype | Available – Free Download | |
| SlingPlayer | ||
| SmartDraw 2009 | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| SnagIt | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Sony DVD Architect | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Sony Vegas Movie Studio | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| SugarSync Manager | Available – Free Download | |
| TreeSize Free | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| TweetDeck | Available – Free Download | |
| Wildform Flair | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Windows Live Essentials | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| Windows Live Writer | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| WMDC | Not Available for Mac OS | |
| WORDsearch 8 | Available for Purchase | |
| World in Conflict |
My 2009 Software Toolbox
In this blog article, I look at the software applications that I use on a regular basis to stay productive.
In this blog article, I look at the software applications that I use on a regular basis to stay productive.As part of my new year’s routine, I was reviewing some of the tools I use on a regular basis. It always interests me how some tools are on the list year-after-year, while others seem to come and go.If you are not careful, it’s easy to follow a constant rabbit trail of new software applications and services. This year, for example, I started bookmarking all of the new Web 2.0 applications I came across in my daily work and research. At the end of 2008, I had bookmarked 68 different services. You can view the list here.Without further delay, here are the applications that I use on a regular basis:
Microsoft OutlookIt’s the first app started and the last one closed. I use Outlook to manage all of my e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks. Outlook is the central hub of my productivity world. Working along side Outlook is Franklin Covey’s PlanPlus for Outlook (PPO). PPO helps me integrate FC’s planning procedures into Outlook. Moreover, PPO provides a nice dashboard to view all of your important Outlook components in one screen.
Microsoft OfficeWhen I’m not in Outlook, I’m probably in Word, Excel or Powerpoint. Word has been on my list for almost 20 years. I started with Word before Microsoft Office was introduced. I started with Word when it was still in DOS version. I’m now in Office 2007, made the adjustment to the “ribbon” at the top of the screen, and like many of the features that are now standard to office applications. It’s simply the best. (Although, many of the web-based office suites are getting better and better. I use Google Docs on a regular basis, and have grown to like the capabilities of Zoho, which has a lot to offer. If you need to collaborate on a project, you cannot beat one of the web-based suites.)
EvernoteThis is a new application on my list this year. Last year, I used OneNote to fill the role of information management. In mid-2008, I started playing with the beta version of Evernote, and soon was hooked on its synching capability. Prior to using Evernote, I tried to keep OneNote in synch using a variety of different methods; none of them worked. Invariably, I would lose some piece of information in the synching process. Not with Evernote. Regardless of my platform, all of my information is right where I expect it to be.
Mindjet MindManagerThe more I use MindManager, the more I like it. In fact, I would find it hard to live without now that I have integrated it into my work process. I use MindManager as part of my weekly review, for planning and goal setting, for research and writing. This past fall, MindManager helped me organize a lot of information related to my graduate work. In developing teaching series and curriculum, MindManager is the first program I turn to as I start to visualize and flesh out the various components for the series. If I could only purchase one program in 2009, it would be MindManager.
Logos Bible SoftwareLogos is my digital library. A lot of people think I am a really good teacher when the truth is I have Logos. ;) Logos makes Bible study easy. I can dig deep and get the information I need without a lot of research or digging. The truth is, I’ve used Logos for so long that I really don’t remember what it is like to dig into a biblical passage using traditional commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, etc. Of course, one of the benefits of being a long-time user is the depth of my library. I have an excellent library that goes with me everywhere. It still amazes me that I can carry close to 3,000 volumes on my laptop!
WordSearch Bible SoftwareWhy do I need to use WordSearch if I am such a Logos fan? Because WordSearch gives me access to a lot of resources not available for Logos. Most importantly, I use WordSearch to access my Preacher’s Outline Study Bible, all of my Holman Bible references, including the Holman New Testament Bible Commentary, and all of John Butler’s resources, including his outstanding Butler Biography series.
iTunesThis is the center of my podcasting world. I never leave home without my iPod and 30 GBs of audio to listen to while on the run. I listen in my car and I listen wherever I have a few minutes between activities. Most of the content I listen to comes in the form of free podcasts, although I do purchase books from Audible.com.Rounding out the list are the following:Adobe InDesignMy page layout application of choice.Adobe FireworksMy web graphics application of choice. (Note: can’t afford/justify Photoshop.)NetObjects FusionMy web development application of choice. (Most of the web development I do today either involves WordPress or some other form of a content management system. I used to employ Dreamweaver on a daily basis, but for a simple site, NetObjects does the job.)Adobe AudtionMy sound editing application of choice.Sony VegasMy video editing application of choice.Sony DVD ArchitectMy DVD authoring application of choice.PicasaMy image database of choice.WordPressMy blogging platform of choice.OmniPage ProCharacter recognitionPaperPortDigital filingDragon Naturally SpeakingVoice recognition applicationWindows Live WriterThe tool I am using to write this blog post!SnagItImage CaptureAcronis True Image HomeDisk BackupDiskkeeperDisk defragmentationLivescribeDigital pen / recorderSony ReaderDigital bookSo, what’s in your toolbox? What tools do you find indispensible to your personal productivity, and what tools can you live without? Are their desktop applications you used to rely on daily, but now you rely on web-based tools?Regardless of the tools you use, the key is to focus on what matters most and to work at regularly and consistently producing quality work. Tools are just tools…nothing more.
Recording with Skype
Skype is a wonderful tool. A couple of weeks ago in my Emerging Instructional Technologies class at UNI, I witnessed the power of Skype when we had the opportunity to interview guest experts via Skype.
Since that time, I have wanted to experiment with Skype and see how it worked to create a podcast. For my first test run, I choose Dr. Leigh Zeitzas my guest. He had just returned from a week in San Antonio, TX for NECC 2008, and I had followed many of his experiences via twitter. Still, I wanted a frontline report of what was happening in the tech field.
Eager to get going, I sent Dr. Z an e-mail with my idea and he responded immediately. Great idea! So, I opened Skype, opened Total Recorder, which I use to record all kinds of steaming Internet audio, and made a quick test call.
Crash.
My PC acted like I had jolted it with 100,000 watts of electricity and froze. I did a quick google search and found a great article on recording Skype with Total Recorder, and started making the necessary corrections to my settings.
This time, my PC didn't crash, but the audio sounded like it was in a bucket and it stuttered. Not good. This was the start of a four hour search for a solution.
Lesson #1: Make sure your setup is working perfectly beforeyou contact your guest expert and setup the interview.
I'll try and recreate the process I went through:
- Total Recorder. I think Total Recorder would have worked with Skype, but I am using a USB headset, which seems to create some problems for TR, plus I know from past experience, that TR can be touchy if the settings are not correct. After working with TR for an hour, I decided to move on. (I already own a copy of TR, so it is the logical first solution.)
- A google search for apps that will record Skype calls led to a few tries. The first was an app called Hot Recorder. I installed it and everything worked great...except it wouldn't record. Strike 1.
- My next attempt was TechSmith's outstanding screen capture program, Camtasia Studio. I had downloaded a trial version of Camtasia a week ago to experiment with creating Flash Files from a PowerPoint presentation. While searching on google, I saw on a user forum that Camtasia would record from Skype. Well, after 30 minutes of trial and error, I gave up on Camtasia. Strike 2.
- My next try was a program called Skype Recorder. Again, I installed the program, fired up Skype, and the program would not record. I didn't even mess with trying to get this one to work. I uninstalled and kept moving. Strike 3.
- My next google hit was a site called DigitalPodcast.com. I found an excellent video by Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani on "How to Record a Podcast Using Skype." Score. This podcast led me to two programs that worked right out of the box (so to speak). The first is CallBurner and the other is Pamela for Skype. I liked CallBurner, but it was $80 US while Pam sold for only $20 US. I decided to give Pam a try. After I edit the podcast, I will post it via podbeam.