[...] I previously reviewed MacJournal 3 several months almost a year ago, and was impressed with it. I even registered it. I am, however, a fickle software user and stopped using it. I’d since changed to using Ecto to edit and post to the many blogs. The upgrade was inexpensive, only $15, so I thought I’d give it another go. [...]
Quote: I don’t see any way to do some of the special formatting options that I use in my WordPress blog, mainly <blockquote>…</blockquote> and <code>…</code>. I’ll be giving that a shot by just putting the tags in directly.
I have been trying that for ages and it doesn't work. How do you manage? /dan
© 2012 http://www.jangro.com/
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It has always bothered me at how difficult it can be to do things on a computer. This device that has been designed and refined into the ultimate productivity tool, just as often gets in the way.
In my work as a website publisher, there are many things that must be done to keep websites up and running, fresh with content, and to keep a finger on the pulse of dozens of websites. All the while, I must maintain a constant flow of new development.
Bouncing around from project to project, task to task, can be a big challenge. In order to be doing development on a certain website, I need that environment set up with local web server and database all up-to-snuff, as well as the local copy of the website. Getting all the tools lined up properly can be a big enough hurdle that I just don't get there with all the distractions.
Add in PPC management, checking reports, keeping tabs on message boards, Instant Messanger, email, and writing blog entries and every moment is a constant fight with inertia to gain momentum on a task.
Things as "simple" as writing a blog entry require a good working environment at the ready when I've got an idea that may make a good blog. Browser-based tools just aren't a nice environment to work in. Doing text editing in a 20x70 textarea HTML form element is just not ideal, and again, painful enough that it just may be enough to keep me from jumping right in. That's why MacJournal caught my eye this morning.
I work on a Mac Powerbook G4, OS X Tiger, so you guessed it, MacJournal is designed for the Macintosh. It's a product by Mariner Software, a company that's been developing Mac software for a long time.
They claim that their product is the ultimate journaling software program. Why use a word processor or a text editor when you can use a streamlined tool designed specifically for the job? "Would Lance Armstrong ride a bicycle from WalMart?" they ask. So I downloaded the software to give it a spin.
As I get started, I wonder to myself, "What do I even need in a Journaling tool?" As my lead-in indicates, first and foremost, I need something that won't get in my way when I'm writing free-form creative, journal or blog entries. When I want to write a journal entry, the tool I need should be there at the ready. I may have more than one in-progress entry in the works, so some organization around that would be good too. My actual technical requirements aren't that tall. I need to be able to do some simple formatting, insert links, some images, and quotes. Spell check, then publish. That's pretty much all I do.
Right off the bat, it's a nice tool to type into. It's a simple interface with some hotkeys and help for creating links. It's also got a "Full Screen" mode where it turns the entire screen into a simple editor. At first I thought it was a little gimicky, but after trying it out, it's pretty cool to be able to just type into something without the surrounding screen goodies distracting you. Like working in Word Perfect DOS back in 1990. (I have two screens, it takes up one of them.)
I don't see any way to do some of the special formatting options that I use in my WordPress blog, mainly <blockquote>...</blockquote> and <code>...</code>. I'll be giving that a shot by just putting the tags in directly.
I can't stand super-long blogs entries, so I'll wrap this up. MacJournal does have some nice organizational tools for journals. You can search and enter keywords for easy location of old journals. You can have several journals and multiple entries per journal. There's also a blog-like calendar on the screen for viewing by date.
The last thing to test is how well it publishes to the web. It's designed for local storage of journals, allows export in html, rtf, text, etc. But what is really intriquing is that it can publish to a number of popular blog tools, namely LiveJournal, Blogger, Movable Type, and WordPress with a simple operation. [Trying that now...]
OK, that worked! It didn't put the title in for me, but all the content is here, and the html tags I inserted are intact. I'm finishing this up now in WordPress within the editor since it's all here and ready for me, though the contrast is very apparent. I do enjoy much more editing in a well designed software application rather than the WordPress edit screen.
All in all, I give this a big "very cool". I'll keep using it and we'll see if this can increase my blog writing by removing a few roadblocks. I'm tempted to plunk down the $25 now, though I've got a few weeks for the demo to expire.
For more information and screenshots, check it out at Mariner Software.
MacJournal is developed by Dan Schrimpf. Read Dan's blog for more technical information about this product.