Word Processor Recommendation - Q10

There are so many distractions when it comes to writing using the computer. The is only just a click away to pry you away from what you are doing. Even the solitaire or minesweeper beckons every once in a while, making you want to procrastinate for a few minutes.

When it comes to writing, my default word processor of choice is the Microsoft Word. It offers a plethora of bells and whistles for any of your writing needs.

Alternatively, LibreOffice is a free word processing software, albeit with fewer capabilities. I have it installed in my computer, but I use it only when Microsoft Word or my other preferred word processor - the Q10 - acts up.

But when I need to write without distractions, my go to word processor is Q10.

Q10 is a minimalist word processor - the moment you open it, you will see a full screen of black space. No additional buttons or tabs, little to no diversions.

Another feature I like about Q10 is the typewriter sound effect (which you can turn on and off). It may be just placebo, but the sounds it makes pushes me to type more. I was still able to use a typewriter when I did my school projects, and I associate the typewriter unadulterated typing. But unlike typewriters, I can do touch typing with Q10.

The sound and the absence of clutter has definitely helped me concentrate on my writing. Needless to say, Q10 is highly recommended for writers who need to focus on their work.

Taking the Plunge on a Dedicated Ebook Reader

I love traditional books. Reading a book is an experience in and of itself: feeling the texture of the paper, flipping each page as you go along, hearing the sound that the pages make as you flip them, smelling the irresistible scent of paper.

However, having your books stored in one gadget is can be a real convenience. Sometimes, I want to jump from one book to the next. I really cannot do that with traditional books, especially when I am not at home, unless I bring all my books with me. That is why I am drawn to ebooks.

Before, I used to read ebooks through my laptop. But reading from the computer was not really comfortable for an extended period. I was better off reading traditional books.

I then discovered that I could read ebooks from my Palm Pilot (and later, Treo), but the apps and ebook formats were limited.

When I had my Android phone, I read my ebooks from there, thanks to a growing number of apps and ebook formats. Right now, the larger screens of tablets offer more real estate for ebooks.

However, there are drawbacks from reading ebooks in your phones and tablets. The battery life of these gadgets are limited, so you have to constantly plug these. The multifunctionality of these gizmos can also be a distraction from your reading, as it is very easy to switch from one app to the next.

That is why if you really want to enhance your reading experience, having a dedicated gadget such as an ebook reader like Kindle or Nook is the way to go. It may only do one thing, but it serves its purpose very well.

Right now, the best ebook reader for me is the Kindle Paperwhite.

It has a long battery life, it is lightweight, and it lets you read under direct sunlight (something that you really cannot do with phones or tablets without cranking up the brightness to max, draining your battery in the process). You can also read at night, thanks to its built-in light.

Amazon has had a lot of experience in what consumers look for in an ebook reader; its Kindle Paperwhite has ticked all the requirements of what an ebook reader should be, making it the best out there.

A Look Back at 3D Technology

The last post that I did featured 3D cameras, with the optimism that it would be the next big thing.

Fast forward four years: obviously, it was not.

It did not even enter the consciousness of the average consumer for the home entertainment system, and for good reason.

First off, 3D technology requires specialized equipment - a camera that can shoot 3D images, a television or projector that has the ability to show 3D images, and DVDs and files that can play 3D videos and images. In other words, watching and producing 3D films were expensive.

It's not purely about the cost.

3D tech could have possibly entered mainstream consumer consciousness - there was a time in the early part of this decade when a slew 3D movies were heavily promoted, and television manufacturers tried pushing 3D TVs as the next big thing.

The movie-goers may have gone to see 3D movies, but it did not translate to 3D TV sales.

Why so?

The technology tries to bank on the novelty of watching 3D films.

As many movie-goers attest, watching 3D videos can be literally nauseating. I watched Avatar twice in a row, and at the end of the second run, I just had enough willpower not to throw up. Also, when I chanced upon 3D TVs on display, I was curious for a few moments, but quickly lost interest.

3D technology has been around for a long time (the first commercially released 3D movie was way back in 1922), but once the initial novelty wore off, people stopped watching 3D movies.

So at the present, 3D technology will remain a niche, and will probably continue to do so in the near future.

3-D Cameras. A Wave of the Future?

In the world of Harry Potter, photos of people in newspapers and posters seem to have a life of their own. For muggles like us, our technology has a long way to catch up to the wizards to have moving photographs. But with the new camera of Fuji, muggles may have taken a wee step closer in terms of photography.

As per NY Times:

Fujifilm just took the wraps off its long-awaited 3-D camera and photo frame, which can capture and display 3-D (and 2-D) photos and video. The technology is sometimes amazing, but it seems likely to appeal primarily to a small group of stereoscopic photo enthusiasts.

Since it is a new technology. it is obviously not perfect yet. It is observed that the people will be fascinated because of its novelty, not because of the quality or the "realness" of the photos. But I think it has a lot of potential. Who knows, maybe 3=D pictures will be the norm in the future, just like 3=D films today! Er... or maybe not...

Yearning for a Standard eBook Format

I like reading books, whether it is in printed or digital form. Sometimes, it is better to read a book on paper. The look, feel and smell of the paper just adds to the reading experience. But reading digital books has its advantages too. I read books through my Palm Treo phone, and the fact that the books are in my phone is a very convenient thing. Whenever I commute, or I am about to sleep, I just whip out my phone and read. Also, since I have everything on my phone, I can store my favorite books, minus the weight and bulkiness of an actual book.

But one gripe that I have with digital books is that there is no universal format as of yet. For my phone, I have three different readers in order to read my books, because of incompatibility of format. For those who want to try digital books, deciding which ereader (like Kindle) to purchase may turn them off. Since there is no dominant format yet, will not be resolved for a long time, until one ereader stands out from the rest.

Photo: oskay, Flickr, Creative Commons

Protecting Your Virtual Brand

Do you have a website and you want to protect your "brand"? Protecting your brand is obviously important, especially when you are about to make it big. You don't want to be in a situation where you are in the throes of (relative) internet success, only to find out that others have already taken advantage of what you have sowed.

 

Here are some tips, taken from Dan Schwabel's article entitled "5 Ways to Control Your Brand":

 

1. Claim Your Google profile - Google has quietly released a feature allowing you to claim your profile when your name/brand is googled.

 

2. Reserve your name on social networks - You don't have to go to each networking site one by one, you just have to using Namechk.com or Knowem.com to see where you can claim your brand name on the more recognized social networks.

 

3. Establish your personal hub - For instance, Nombray.com allows you to display all of your social networking profiles, blogs and websites under a single domain name (yourname.com)

 

4. Have a reputation management strategy

 

5. Promote you expertise.

 

Click here for the full article.

Shooting Frenzy

I've always wanted to have an SLR camera - you know, those bulky, professional looking camera with lenses obscenely protruding. i have a friend who sa one, and I always borrow it whenever I get to have a chance. In those rare times that I handle his camera, I always try to practice the intricacies of focusing, zooming and shot composition.I haven't mastered them. I think it will take years for anyone to really master photography. Just like poker, photography takes minutes to learn and years to master.

 

A New York Times article has reported that Panasonic is releasing a camera ahead of its time: it can capture SLR-quality pictures with the ease of a point-and-click camera, and more.

 

But considering that this is a relatively new technology, it necessarily comes at a steep price of $1,500. What's more, the size of these first generation cameras are just slightly smaller than SLR cameras. But no matter, the potential of the technology alone will make any camera enthusiasts and wannabe-photographers will make them salivate.