| Author | Message | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11715 Registered: 07-2002 |
I've been playing around with using something called tiddlywiki (I know--silly name!) which is an open source personal wiki platform that runs in any browser. I've tweaked/customized it to create TiddlyWikiWrite, a personal wiki to organize material for writing novels. It's a single javascript file, with a help/instructions built in. It's free to use/tweak/distribute, and you can find it here: http://www.ljcohen.net/resources-wiki.html Once in a Blue Muse Blog "Chop Wood, Carry Water" | ||
| Nancy Lazar
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 6119 Registered: 10-2005 |
Lisa, I keep saying I need something to organize my files better than windows. I don't know if I'll get used to this, but the system sounds like it's good for keeping things in one place. If you want to keep your stuff online what do you have to do? I am trying out an online file system from acrobat.com to save files to so I can work on them from any computer. It's good for that, and for sharing, but not for managing multiple files, that can still get out of hand. I want something that gives me instant recall of the file in any folder if I want to see it, a way to shuffle files, put them in any order, combine files, break apart sections into files, and move files into folders even while I'm working on them. I wrote all that down because I've been trying to articulate what I want and it helps to see it in words! In other words, I want to take all my document files out of their little boxes and get rid of what I don't need, keep what I do and stack them back where they seem to belong and then do it again whenever I feel the need. I've seen photo sorting that works like that, and itunes does that with all your music, so who does it for docs? - Laz | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11716 Registered: 07-2002 |
Laz--I don't know of any system to do all that. Several of the important things I've discovered in keeping organized are folder organization, file naming conventions, and the ability to search my hard drive. This doesn't address the on line aspect of your file availability, but if I keep my files well organized, then it's far more manageable to find and work with files. What works for me is to have a writing subfolder in 'my documents'. From there I branch off into poetry/drafts, poetry/freeverse, poetry/formal, ( (etc). As well as stories/short-stories, stories/ideas, and subfolders off 'stories' for each of my novels. I also use a USB drive with a free program called allwayssync and go (http://www.allwaysync.com/) so I can keep coordinated between my main computer, my laptop, and my usb drive, so I can work anywhere. I don't want to deal with an online service, because I'm not always places that have internet service. I have also used google desktop in the past, for it's ease of searching my computer for files, using the same interface as doing a google search. If you're good with detailed searching, you can find what you need much faster than the windows search function. The TWW program would not allow you to do the kind of file management you are looking for, but it does help me keep all aspects of research and planning for a novel in one place. Best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog "Chop Wood, Carry Water" | ||
| Nancy Lazar
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 6121 Registered: 10-2005 |
Lisa- Thanks for the suggestions and the link. I got allwayssync on your suggestion a while back and it made my head swim. My files are too diverse at this point (names are different, paths, revisions) between my two computers and my thumb drive. It's a mess. When it asks you which one to keep I get so confused. I took a look at your book on pain. I'm going back soon to read more. It's very interesting. I bet you could do more with the subject. I trust what you say because you are a PT. (If you included some hints at getting relief from chronic pain I am going to try them!) Thanks for the ideas, - Laz | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11717 Registered: 07-2002 |
Laz--I think that job 1 would be to organize the files across computers. Having so many different versions of files would be a nightmare! I recall having to do that a few years back as well. The chronic pain manual is primarily for writers to get the details right about pain and healing, based on my years of chronic pain management experience. I do have (somewhere!) a chapter on pain management I wrote for a rehab textbook that I'd be happy to send you if you'd like it. It's a bit technical, since it's for a PT audience, but has useful info for self management. Best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog "Chop Wood, Carry Water" | ||
| Nancy Lazar
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 6128 Registered: 10-2005 |
I knooow! Well, I'll get to it someday, probably have to slog through manually first, maybe rename everything so I know what's what then...Hey I know, I'll try to find a program that does that! and the vicious cycle begins again. Oh yes, I get the book's purpose and it's really a great idea. But I would like to have a look at that chapter too, so yes. please send it along. Thanks! - Laz |
