Plunging the knife of clarity, into the breast of obscurity
Reviews
Must Have Apps for your Android Phone
1So a week ago I picked up the HTC Dream. A nice little device that is powered by Google’s Android mobile OS.
So after a week of installing and uninstalling, using and not using applications from the “Market”, I thought I’d put together my list of “Must-have-apps”.
Classic Comedy
0I might not be old enough to remember The Goon Show being broadcast live, but I do wake up early enough (5:30am) to hear it every Friday morning. ABC Radio National has an amazing selection of classic comedy in that time-slot from the late 60s.
I’m currently in love with Just a Minute. The object of the game is for panellists to talk “for just a minute” on a given subject, “without repetition, hesitation or deviation”. Sounds dull right? Wrong. It contains some of the wittiest improv comedy I’ve heard in… well forever.
Now what makes it so funny is the cast, Nicholas Parsons is the host and his guests, like Linda Smith, Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo and Peter Jones.
Now what I’m wondering is, why are these kinds of shows no longer popular? Are they too cerebral? Is the thought of someone being clever too much for the average Joe?
I don’t think so, shows like Spicks and Specks & Never Mind the Buzzcocks have loyal followings, willing to watch repeats from a month before just so they can get their fix. I think that as a nation we are ready to stand up and shout, “We like inteligent gameshows! Shows that are funny and witty, not just another version Wheel or No Deal with a fresh coat of paint on the sets so the punters won’t recognise it.”
Software for Writers
0Most writing software is only used once the hard yards, the research, the brainstorming and sleepless nights organising index cards are over. If all you need is a glorified typewriter, MS Word is fine. But if you’re like me, and you need a way to organise the random ideas in your head before you can get them onto the page, then you should try Scrivener for Mac or yWriter for PC. These are programs written for writers by writers.
yWriter for PC
Easy to use and free,yWriter is a simple program but with the features a writer needs to organise and, most importantly, finish their novel. You can import your novel, after a few minor formatting changes in Word, and yWriter will break it up into chapters and scenes ready for you to start work. Once imported, you can add descriptions, status, goals, scene notes, viewpoint details, and more. yWriter will also give you a word count (by character if you want) and will even tell you how often you use certain words. You can also create character bios with images, location list and details, and a storyboard. The actual text editor is pretty low on features but this program is more concerned with helping you create quality content rather than making it look pretty.
Scrivener for Mac OS X
Scrivener is not free, but at around $45 it’s well with in the means of the struggling writer. Before you commit, download it for a free 30-day trial. After importing your masterpiece into Scrivener you can begin to organise it by chapter and scene. Scrivener also provides a “research folder” that can hold Word, PDF and RTF files as well as images, audio and video. Using the split screen feature you can view a picture of a character, video or notes in the lower half of the screen while you write about them in the top half. Using the Keyword feature you can tag chapters, scenes or research materials by assigning keywords that enable you to quickly find anything in your project. A virtual corkboard lets you storyboard you novel and move scenes.