Websites are certainly time sinks….

I claim to not know how I got into this state but, actually, I DO know. I have a bad case of Website Fiddling.

The first evidence of this was when I volunteered to take on the webmistress duties for my local RWA Chapter – i.e. I took on http://www.eastsiderwa.org. Prior to that I had disguised my strong opinions on web page look and feel with the excuse that because I am a software test engineer, I am automatically entitled to gripe about customer experience.

Yah, right….

I guess I could still try to use that excuse but I’m not sure just how well it will fly anymore.

So far I’ve just maintained the website as I inherited it but I have some plans to try to create a more interesting and useful site and, at the same time, get rid of the legacy code and junk that is hanging around. I’m Fiddling with a concept website to show to the board RSN (Real Soon Now).

Then I decided I needed my own web page. That’s all fine and good and I started to create one for my fiction (http://www.realmsoftheraven.com). Then the Fiddling in earnest began….

Wait – it’s too boring. Needs more color.

Wait – it’s not got enough structure, need to set up tables to contain information.

Wait – that font is nice on my computer but renders in Times Roman and loses its effect on anyone else’s. I need to make graphic objects instead of just typing text…

and on and on it goes.

Then, goddess help me, I decided I needed a separate website for my technical work. I have a book contracted and a webinar presentation in a few weeks that I’m spending lots of time on. Plus, honestly, I have more completed material for that site.

So it starts again for my technical site (http://www.mauravanderlinden.com).

Last night I looked at the clock and it was 11pm. I thought that was fine and I’d just get these last buttons created and set up and then I’d go to bed. I swear about 20 minutes later I looked up and it was 2AM. Not good since I had a kid’s birthday party to endure at 11:30AM!

Thankfully it was my husband’s day to get up with our 4 year old.

So – My name is Maura and I’m a Website Fiddler…..

Hey, maybe I can teach a short class on Frontpage to other chapter members…..

HP TC1100 Tablet PC

So, when I decided to really put the energy and attention into writing that it deserved (and needed) if it was to become anything more than a hobby, I knew that I would need to buy a separate device to write on that both was not able to play my favorite time-waster (World of Warcraft) but was able to deal with the way I tended to write.

I tend to like to type because I’m a very fast typist and I can read it when I’m done. But when I am doing technical reviewing or editing, I tend to print out the document and use a pen to edit. I know it’s a somewhat strange combination but since I have finally learned that it is pretty useless to fight against the way I do things, I decided I should pay heed to this instead of attempting to fit myself into another mold.

I also realized that the device needed to be really light and portable. I have a nice laptop but it weighs something like 8 lbs – too much to drag hither and yon constantly.

First I started by looking at the devices that a lot of writers recommended – the Dana and the AlphaSmart. Though they met the need of small and light, they were not at all able to deal with things like graphics or full screen editing, etc. They are really purely text input devices with a tiny screen to allow you to see what you’re doing. Not expensive and if you like to work in a way they would fit with, they would probably be a nice solution.

Then I started looking at the Sony Vaio machines. They have some that are nice little machines and they definitely have the benefit of being able to deal with graphics and they do run Windows but the smallest ones have tiny screens and again will not have any full page editing ability. They are also pretty expensive. I almost settled on one of these but decided to keep looking for a while.

Then I started to look at Tablet PCs. There are only a small variety of these available and they use a combination of keyboard and pen input. My husband had done some testing on the HP TC1000 machine several years ago but I could not find anyone who was a dealer of them nearby so I could test drive one. I did find a Gateway and a Toshiba tablet as well as a fujitsu but they were all too big and too heavy.

Finally at work I saw a co-worker had a TC1100 and waylaid her to ask (probably far too many) questions. What I saw I loved!

As soon as I got my bonus, I bought one – despite my prior claims that I would wait until I actually got my new tech book contract. Delayed gratification is just NOT my thing – not like that’s news to anyone.

It’s the best thing for my use but not cheap at about $2K. It converts from a slate (pen only) to a keyboard driven tablet. It has a glass screen instead of mylar or plastic so while you might be able to break it, you won’t have all the issues with imprints and scratches that plastic is so prone to. A 40gb hard drive but apparently quite easily upgraded to larger if necessary.

It runs Windows XP Tablet Edition so my existing apps can be loaded onto it – no translation or import/export necessary.

The handwriting recognition is pretty good and I think I’m slowly adapting to it so I don’t have to edit quite as much but when I get going really fast, it definitely looks a bit like a Eubonics exercise :)

It weighs 4 lbs with it’s keyboard and 3 lbs if you remove the keyboard.

I’m in love…..

Conference Reports (and Exhaustion)

After spending three days at the Emerald City Writers’ Conference and then the following three days at a software conference, I am definitely All Conferenced Out at this point. Who knew that 6 days of sitting on my rear listening to other people could be so exhausting….

There were quite a few good talks at both conferences, however, so I am not at all sorry I went. My new tablet pc was a huge hit at both conferences! I swear I should approach Hewlett Packard and see if I can talk them into demoing or donating one for next year’s RWA Nationals. It’s a great tool and people were fascinated by it.

I got talked into participating in a challenge from Cherry Adair. She gave all of us an envelope and paper on which to write a date we will have something finished by and promises a special present to everyone who meets their goal, to be presented at the next Emerald City Writers’ Conference. I signed up to finish by my son’s birthday next year. I usually work better with a deadline so here’s hoping!

Myself and two other ladies from my local RWA chapter spoke about setting up our own little critique group since there isn’t one in our chapter already. NOOBS UNITE! I haven’t seen an email from them yet so I should get off my duff and send them one to get it started.

Lots to do! Lots to think about! Ieeeeee!

Critiques – Good, Bad, Ugly…..

I was recently having a discussion with author Tyler Blackwood about the pros and cons of critique groups and realized that many of the issues I have when I have asked people to read my non-fiction work carry through to the fiction realm. The best thing was realizing that I’m not the only one with some issues.

In thinking about these issues, I came up with a little list of my own Dos and Don’ts for critiquing the work of others. I figured that I would share it, in case it resonates with anyone else.

1. DO ask the author what their intent is in having me read this work and from what point of view.
2. DO ask the author how they would like the feedback presented to be most useful to them.
3. DO let the author know that I am a very verbose and honest critiquer but I’m not mean or offended if my feedback doesn’t result in changes.
4. DO take careful and copious ongoing notes on everything I notice so I can later write a coherent critique.
5. DO read the work multiple times. Once for overall impression. Once for the story’s technical details. Once for language and language technical details.
6. DO write the best feedback document I can for the author.
7. DO explain why I felt the way I did about the points I call out.
8. DON’T get involved in stylistic differences where they are purely voice or style.
9. DO thank the author for the chance to critique their work.
10. DON’T get offended whether my feedback is taken or not.
11. DO pay forward – try to help those who are even greener than I am whenever I can

- Maura