Post XV. Good Notes

I didn’t expected to have so many readings in the PDF format when beginning my master’s studies at FSU. Since I am not comfortable with lengthy reading on the computer, I needed to figure out how to deal with all those PDF files. That was the time I found the Good Notes iPad application. I decided to buy it basing on rapturous reviews of users and never regret it.

Now, Good Notes costs $6.99 (one dollar more), but it is worth every dollar spent. The app combines the functions of a note-taking space and an annotation tool for PDF files.

GoodNotes recognize handwriting beautifully. The app works very smoothly enabling you to take notes in a creative manner by using different pen and marker colors, geometric figures, textboxes, etc. The notes are searchable, which makes Good Notes an assisting media in going paperless.

Talking about the PDF annotation functions Good Notes provide, they are absolutely stunning. You can handwrite on a PDF and then export this annotated document to the cloud service you prefer (GoogleDisk, iCloud, Box, or Dropbox). The app also allows inserting pictures in the document and typing on it. All the changes you made can be synchronized between different devices.

Here is a video overview of the Good Notes app demonstrating its practicality.

I also would like to share the annotation methodology I utilize while reading PDFs via Good Notes. It may be useful for international students J
On the picture below, you can see the first page of the Kosonen (2009) reading we had two weeks ago. To make PDF annotation more organized, I use color codes. I mark definitions with the brown color, unknown words – with the green color, and the unknown synonyms for the words I know – with the blue color. I use the yellow color for marking the author thoughts I find to be useful for my class projects. You can also see that I type the Russian translation of the unknown words above them so that it will be easier for me to work with a text when I come back to it for assignments.

Do you use special applications for reading PDF files? I would be happy to hear about any counterparts of the Good Notes app you are familiar with.

Post XII. FocusWriter.

FocusWriter is another writing environment allowing the user to stay focused when working on a text. Its unique feature is the “hiding” interface that the user can make visible by mousing to the top of the screen. Thus, the app is somewhat similar to the Focus View mode offered by the MS Word program. However, FocusWriter is quite more useful because, oppositely to MS Word, it optimizes not only the reading experience, but also the writing one.

In addition to the practical interface, FocusWriter includes a timer and statistics for tracking the writing progress, easy-to-adjust themes, and the auto-saving option. FocusWriter is multiplatform. It also supports various document types and various languages (including Russian – yay!).

FocusWriter would be a great tool for those people who would like to immerse themselves as much as possible in their work. The great news is that it is cheap – only $5 “donation-money” for the whole app. Here, "donation" means that if you prefer not to pay for the app, you can get it for free. 

If interested, watch the short video demonstrating the features of FocusWriter below.

Post XI. Twine

This week readings inspired me to search for a writing tool that is free to use following the idea of open-source software. I found a lovely tool that would be of use for anyone who needs to keep track on how story goes when writing something. If you are one of those people, check out Twine.

Twine is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to publish directly to HTML with no coding involved. The tool is widely used for story structuring. Also, Twine is popular among the game designers who develop interactive web-based games due its simplicity and ability to adjust to the specific needs of the user (e.g., you can insert conditional logic, images, or JavaScript into text).

As with any popular Web 2.0 tool, there exist Twine community that provides newbies with advice and support.

Here is the link to the game made with Twine - Escape from the Man-Sized Cabinet, - and the picture below shows the title page of this game.

Post X. Ulysses

Ulysses is the text editor for those people who write a lot and, therefore, need the writing app that would enable them to organize the numerous pieces of writing they produce. Ulysses offers smart filters helping the user sort texts; what is more, it is possible to create your own filters basing on your particular preferences. This app can serve as a typewriter, a library, or as a writing coach.

There is a variety of ways your documents can be displayed on the screen, and all of them are beautiful. So, from this perspective, Ulysses is the complete opposite of the Typed app discussed in the previous post. The former is made to be aesthetically pleasing and functional at the same time, while the latter is all about concentration. By the way, talking about functionality, Ulysses allows its users to export texts into the PDF, RTF, HTML, and even ePub formats.

It should be noted that the Ulysses for iPad app represents astonishingly convenient writing environment for this device. I am using the word "astonishingly" here because my previous experience with iPad writing apps was quite disappointing. Unlike other apps, Ulysses for iPad has intuitive navigation and clean interface that are absolute pleasure to use. The only disadvantage of the app is its price ($19.99 and no free trial).

Below, you will find the app preview video for Ulysses for iPad.

Post IX. Typed.

When writing a blog post or an assignment paper, it is not easy to stay concentrated due to the widespread attention-deficit problem that is peculiar to our era. Among the most influential hindrances to on-work concentration, I would name continuously biping smartphones and other devices we all owe. Fortunately, technologies not only interfere with our work and study duties, but also assist in dealing with them. This week, I would like to experiment with my blog’s content and create a serial of posts related to one topic: Technological aides for those who write.

Let us start with Typed, a nicely-done minimalistic application. Its target audience is people who prefer writing apps having only basic functions that do not distract the user from the process of writing. The set of tools Typed offers includes a word count, auto saving, and HTML-generator for web-writers. 

What is absolutely great about this app is that the number of choices is low, which stimulates the user to focus on writing, rather than wasting their time on fonts’ or themes’ selection. For example, Typed has only three themes to choose from (day-time, night-time, and – my favorite – beige); thus, there is no way for procrastinators like me to delay starting a paper while browsing all the theme options the app has.

I also recommend anyone interested in Typed to try using the Zen mode the app offers. In this mode, you can select one of 8 calm and pleasant Buddhist soundtracks to stay insulated from the outside noise. Such a wonderful experience! 

What tools are you using to enhance your writing?