Comments on: Technology and Today’s Writer

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:50:37 +0000

They owe you commission for sure, Jake. I bought it the same day you recommended it.

I should go "smart" but to this point I don't have a really good reason for it. I do love the idea of synching everything seamlessly, but right now it's all in one (or two) places anyway.

By: Jake P

Jake P — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:56:58 +0000

Guess I need to call Olympus to get my sales commission on your TP-7 purchase!

I'm a fan of Macs, and the Time Machine backup is brilliant. It saves me all the time, since you can go back and easily retrieve stuff by date that you deleted but shouldn't have. (In my case, usually informal estimates that didn't warrant a QuickBooks entry. Doh.) I also back up to the iCloud or whatever the heck it is.

After much hemming and hawing, I recently went to an iPhone--very, very happy with it and wish I'd done so sooner. The other advantage of a smartphone is that I could ditch my USB modem for the laptop, since I can use the iPhone to tether when I'm out of wifi range.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:53:38 +0000

Paula, you remain an inspiration. :) You may be right about the fax being somewhat obsolete. I guess as long as you have a scanner and an online fax or send capability, you can get by. I fax a lot of stuff - the last few months anyway. I'd miss it if I didn't have it.

Liz, you make a very strong argument for the smart phone. I guess it really does depend on your personal situation. I totally agree that it's a good thing in your situation especially.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:17:14 +0000

Since I have a full-time job in addition to my freelance work, I live by my smartphone. I have clients who email me during work hours, and it just takes a glance at the phone to see if I need to email back at lunch or on a break or if it can wait till the evening. But I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have it if I didn't work for the health insurance. (That's been my mantra today — I need the health insurance.)

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:37:54 +0000

Speaking as one of the writers you were conversing with about techie issues yesterday....the new digital recorder is winging (or rolling) its way to me now along with enough other office supplies (including a flash drive with 8x the memory of my computer) to reach the $75 needed to get the $25 discount.

I have the same type recording device, actually I have two. I thought the first was malfunctioning, bought a new one, then found out the problem was in the phone line. Good to have a backup there, too.

I have an all-in-one, but it's been over a year since anyone wanted to fax me something, and almost as long since anyone wanted me to send a fax. Finally a piece of technology that I've outgrown - it's usually the other way around.

I know I desperately need a new Mac. The only problem is I don't have the money. Too many household repairs eating up the cash these days.

My cell phone comes in handy when I'm expecting an interview to call but still need to use the phone.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:17:19 +0000

I have Acrobat 5.0, Cathy. It's not ideal, but I can leave comments and highlights.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:29:05 +0000

Thanks for the shout-out on Sharon's excellent guest post.

What pdf software do you use? I Have a version of Acrobat Professional that is no longer supported and have heard nasty things about Acrobat X Pro.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:55:28 +0000

Totally agree, Devon. I have the print version, too. Sometimes browsing it brings up super ideas. Why I suggested online is simple – sometimes you need to know what markets are paying what you're worth and buying what you sell. It's easy to search that online.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:19:21 +0000

Hi Kathryn! Long time no see. Hope you're doing well!

I think the basics – the most up-to-date computer, all-in-one, and software you can afford – is essential. The rest? Fun stuff. 🙂

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:18:12 +0000

Also, with Mercury going retrograde on Thanksgiving (until Dec. 10), brace yourself. I feel like mine's already gone retrograde, with all my tech problems this week.

I prefer using the print version of Writer's Market, because I go through, cover to cover, taking notes and finding markets I wouldn't think of otherwise. If I'm only searching the online data base, I'm limiting my options.

I do check the publication's website for additional/changed info, the but print version allows me to cast a wider net, and man of my highest paying and most fun gigs have been the unexpected ones.