Purple Wren

Writer, the Internet Typewriter

I was searching for a minimal word processor. I didn't want a lot of formatting bells and whistles - just text. Microsoft Word has a lot of hidden code that can really mess up your blog if you copy and paste.

Writer, the internet typewriter, by John Watson is one tool that I found. I love it! I can concentrate on writing and not be distracted by any of the usual clutter on my screen. Use the F11 key to expand to full screen mode. (Click on the photo to enlarge.)

And you can save the text, count it, upload it, PDF it, print it, send it to your email account or post it to a blog.

The default is this great green type on a black background or you can change the preferences for color, line spacing or font.

What word processor do you use?

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 28, 2008 in Time Management and Organization, Tools, Writing | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Minimal Word Processor, Writer

Top Social Media Tools

Purplewrench There are a lot of tools out there and many of them are free or low cost. Thanks to Steve Dale for listing the Top 100 Social Media Tools. How many of them have you tried? Maybe there's a solution that fits your need.

You can list your top ten picks at the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies.

One thing I like about lists is we have a chance to check out any tools that we might not have noticed yet. Are there any of them that are new to you?

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 26, 2008 in Purple Wrench, Tools | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Social Media Tools

Wordless Wednesday: What do you see?

We all see different things when we look at a photo. Our view of the world reflects how we interpret pictures. My husband saw this photo of clouds and said, "put up your dukes, Iowa." I saw bird heads. Hmmm... What do you see?

peering over the wall, originally uploaded by withrow.

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 25, 2008 in Photography | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Wordless Wednesday

Restoration of Flood-Damaged Photos

Boatpic

Now that the flood waters are beginning to recede, people are able to get in and assess damage. One of the most heart-wrenching things is the loss of precious photos. They cannot be replaced. However, they may be able to be restored. There is an organization called Operation Photo Rescue that was started after Katrina and they are open to helping where they can in Iowa. They are a network of volunteers who can repair photographs damaged by natural disasters - at no cost to the owner.

And, there is a local photographer who is involved - Kevin Barber of Barber Photography. He is gathering other volunteers who may be able to help. Contact him today if you can help, or if you have damaged photos and need help.

Here's tips for salvaging flood and water damaged photos. It's important to take immediate action - and the right steps.

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 23, 2008 in Community, Iowa, Photography, Tips & Techniques | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Des Moines, Des Moines News, Flood Damage, Iowa, Iowa News, Photo Restoration

Wordless Wednesday: Momentarily Forgetting the Floods of '08

Fans took time off to enjoy the Iowa Cubs game now that the ballpark is not threatened by floodwaters.

Photo by James G. Lindberg

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 18, 2008 in Photography | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Iowa Cubs, Photography

Wordless Wednesday: Sandbagged

Iowa is getting more rain today and people have been preparing for the worst. Here's just one photo from downtown Des Moines.

Court Center, sandbagged, originally uploaded by Synthesizers.

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 11, 2008 in Photography | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Des Moines, Flood '08, Iowa

Angela's Raw Adventure

Enrgpathlogo I'm teaming up with Angela Clark of enrgPATH. She is embarking on a raw journey for the next 90 days.

Are you interested in healing your body with food?

What's the big deal with raw food?

Join Angela's Raw Adventure via her blog at www.blog.enrgPATH.com to see how she is using local resources to eat a 90% raw food diet for 90 days.

See Angela's "before" pictures
See pics of Raw Food
Get Information on Raw Food Demonstrations
Find out where you can join Angela for a meal
Find links to raw food web sites, blogs, and recipes
Find the local connections to raw food

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on June 01, 2008 in Around Des Moines, Community | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: enrgPATH, Raw

Your Website is Talking...

Your website is giving people information. Is it the information you want them to have?

Check out the story about the lost parrot.

Let’s take a look at African Grey truths and myths -------, originally uploaded by Jinaa.com.

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on May 21, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

The Big Dream Gathering is Tonight!

It's here! The Big Dream Gathering is tonight from 6:30 - 10 p.m.

Polk County Convention Center

501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines

Bdg_biz_category_2808_2

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on May 13, 2008 in Around Des Moines, Community, Iowa, Visualization | Permalink | Comments (View) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Big Dream Gathering

SOBCon08: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett uses mindmaps - one of my favorite tools - for expanding on topics for blog posts. In addition to his computer, he carries around a notebook (Moleskin) to jot down ideas.

He recommends using an editorial calendar for organizing content. Quality definitely wins over quantity. Find the best time to post to reach your audience.

He has several posts in draft that he calls "panic posts" for those occasions when life happens and you just can't get a post published.

Batch your tasks. Determine how many hours you can spend a week and divide it between writing blog posts, promotional tasks for your site and reading posts.

Great info! Thanks Chris.

Related posts: Mind Mapping with Tony Buzan

Posted by Sandy Renshaw on May 03, 2008 in Live Blogging | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: SOBCon08

Brian Clark at SOBCon08

We're just winding down the session with Brian Clark. One of the things I heard that made an impact for me was "Trying to give people what they don’t want is the best way to fail."