article series: "my favorite tool"?

Submitted by tbuitenh on Thu, 2008-02-21 16:58.

Posts: 1059
Joined: 2005-12-21

Here's an idea that will work better if more people participate:

We (whoever "we" might be) could each write an article about a piece of free software that we like a lot, which is very useful to us, and which preferably isn't well-known.

The purposes of this:
- We get to read some interesting articles.
- Showing cool things that can be done with freedomware.
- Traffic for nuxified Smiling .

Good examples: hugin, firebug, rdiff-backup
Bad examples: GIMP, OpenOffice

Further thoughts:
- Linux+ subscriptions? Other rewards?
- Make it more specific, eg "my favorite text editor", "my favorite imaging tool", etc?

I think I would like to write something about the acme text editor. I don't have much time, though, so it will take a while. And if we're not going to write this cool series, I'll be more motivated to write yet another inkscape tutorial (as this is what gets me lots of visitors on my blog).

So are there any tools you would like to write about?

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Sat, 2008-02-23 18:08 I like the idea. I'm not

libervisco

Posts: 3783
Joined: 2006-05-04

I like the idea. I'm not sure what to write about right now though, I like firebug too, but don't use it all that extensively and not all of the features it has, not to mention due to the ugly memory issues of Firefox I don't even use Firefox mainly anymore.

I guess the alternative web browser, Kazehakase, is a nice candidate for such an article, but we reviewed it already...

About Linux+ subscriptions, some of those articles could be submitted to Linux+ and should Linux+ accept them we could award points that lead to free subscriptions.

About writing in general though I find that I really need to get into the right mood to be able to write with confidence, which is why I'm actually late with my Linux+ article (promised for Friday), although the real deadline is end of month. I like to write, but mostly if it is spontaneous, rather than planned (like, "I will write about this and that by then" - it doesn't work as well for me as just coming up with something right away and starting writing).

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Mon, 2008-02-25 01:33 >> About writing in general

Jose

Posts: 308
Joined: 2007-09-10

>> About writing in general though I find that I really need to get into the right mood to be able to write with confidence, which is why I'm actually late with my Linux+ article (promised for Friday)

Would it help if I volunteer to write it for you? If it's something I can fake, I will write a genuine POSarticle and you will have no choice but to write the real thing. In fact, you may be able to get the inspiration you need from reading the POSarticle.

Shoot. What's the topic? I'm serious. I'm willing to experiment. I'd love to find a formula for generating on-demand inspiration. If not I, maybe someone else will write it.

Occasionally, you may even find that someone did a good enough job to move on to something else and call it "works for me".

EDIT: On second thought, I was talking about the inspiration reptiler was probably talking about and tbuitenh mocking. But it may still do the trick. Hey, let's create a page for listing all the things you need to do but which someone else would do for you.. it just might work Laughing out loud [by "you" I mean me .. and anyone else, too]

Mon, 2008-02-25 02:44 Nah, I wouldn't feel right

libervisco

Posts: 3783
Joined: 2006-05-04

Nah, I wouldn't feel right about that. They are my duties. I have my deadline and I will find the proper time. I noticed that when I get myself to somehow think about the topic I intended to write about I see all of the reasons and motivations that led me to wanting to make those points (I actually have notes for the article written which could almost make up half of it, just need to be organized into a fluid form Smiling ).

Cheers

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Mon, 2008-02-25 09:10 offer accepted?

tbuitenh

Posts: 1059
Joined: 2005-12-21

Jose wrote:

EDIT: On second thought, I was talking about the inspiration reptiler was probably talking about and tbuitenh mocking.

reptiler wrote:

You're the one living in the country where "inspiration" is sold openly.

FYI, I'm from the Netherlands. I think reptiler was talking about cannabis, and I certainly was. I take it your favorite tool is called "#|"?

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Mon, 2008-02-25 12:41 Correct

reptiler

Posts: 721
Joined: 2006-03-28

tbuitenh wrote:

I think reptiler was talking about cannabis

Yes, he surely was. Wink alt

Wed, 2008-02-27 03:14 >> I take it your favorite

Jose

Posts: 308
Joined: 2007-09-10

>> I take it your favorite tool is called "#|"?

No, I just had missed the connection.

The only hash I consume is greasy but mighty tasty.

Wed, 2008-02-27 10:13 For the record, I don't

tbuitenh

Posts: 1059
Joined: 2005-12-21

For the record, I don't consume any either.

Your missed connection was very funny.

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Sun, 2008-02-24 09:30 I know exactly what you

tbuitenh

Posts: 1059
Joined: 2005-12-21

I know exactly what you mean. Inspired writing lets you write in 30 minutes what would otherwise take several hours. If anyone is willing to share the secret to always feeling inspired, that would be greatly appreciated Smiling .

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Sun, 2008-02-24 09:53 You're the one living in

reptiler

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Joined: 2006-03-28

You're the one living in the country where "inspiration" is sold openly. Wink alt

Well, for me it's the same. If I get an idea it sometimes starts flowing by itself. It's bit like Stephen King has expressed in "The Dark Tower", it just seems to come and flow through me, mostly using me only as the medium to write it down.
If I sit down and really try to write something it mostly is crap or takes a lot longer. That's why now I mostly only do impulsive writing, when an idea comes I grab it and start writing, given I have the time to do so, which of course is not the case when I'm at work. When I'm at work I try to make some quick notes of things I feel are important, then later I think about these, and sometimes the "flow" comes back.

Sun, 2008-02-24 10:59 LOL. Ah yes, but the things

tbuitenh

Posts: 1059
Joined: 2005-12-21

LOL.

Ah yes, but the things you write with that kind of inspiration are, you know, far out, man, and not comprehensible to those who haven't bought the same kind of inspiration. Also, it will give you the munchies.

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