{"id":1963,"date":"2013-06-19T18:47:00","date_gmt":"2013-06-19T18:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rf.podcastfixit.com\/index.php\/2013\/06\/19\/technical-tools-for-writers\/"},"modified":"2015-06-01T19:41:47","modified_gmt":"2015-06-01T19:41:47","slug":"technical-tools-for-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newscoverage.org\/index.php\/2013\/06\/19\/technical-tools-for-writers\/","title":{"rendered":"Technical Tools for Writers"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tracey Arial<\/b><\/p>\n

\nwww.traceyarial.com<\/a><\/p>\n

What in the world do I mean by \u201ctechnical tools\u201d for writers?<\/p>\n

There are many possible tools a writer might use, including a dictionary, a thesaurus and a desk (either standing or sitting) and chair or large ball, but that\u2019s not what I\u2019m talking about here.<\/p>\n

Technical tools include: a typewriter or one or many computers with text editing or word processing software installed, a digital tape recorder, a mobile or land-line telephone, a camera, an e-reader, digital pens and transcription software.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\nTypewriter or one or many computers<\/b><\/p>\n

I suppose you could write with a pencil or pen and a piece of paper, but you wouldn\u2019t be able to distribute your work very easily.<\/p>\n

Some writers still use only typewriters and then secretaries scan or retype their work into a typewriter. That\u2019s particularly old school, but it works.<\/p>\n

Most of us have one or more computers with text editing or word processing software installed. I have a desktop computer, because I prefer typing on a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard.<\/p>\n

Check out the one I have here:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/hardware\/en-us\/p\/natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000<\/a><\/p>\n

It hurts my wrists and elbows less than other keyboards.<\/p>\n

I also still use my first laptop computer, which at this point is more of a luggable. It still works well, so I even replaced the battery on it recently, even though my husband said it was a waste of time and I should have invested in something new instead. I hate change, so I\u2019m resisting a bit longer.<\/p>\n

Just for interest sake, it\u2019s a Toshiba Satellite A40 in a \u201ccool blue design.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check it out at: http:\/\/www.toshiba.ca\/web\/product.grp?lg=en&section=1&group=223&product=2590&part=2190<\/a><\/div>\n

\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWordprocessing Software<\/b><\/p>\n

I use Word, Open Office Writer and Wordpad frequently.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
<\/b>
\nPrinter\/Scanner<\/b><\/p>\n

I used to have a separate scanner and printer, but now I have a Lexmark all-in-one that includes a fax and copy machine too. I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d use those features, but they both came in handy once when a client didn\u2019t have email. (Who doesn\u2019t have email these days?)<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
<\/b>
\nDigital tape recorder<\/b><\/p>\n

I used to use a Sony digital recorder, but it was a pain to transfer interviews so I switched to a Roland Edirol R-09, which I absolutely adore. If you need a tape-recorder, this one works great. Note: some people have broken the door for the battery and SIM card compartment, but I\u2019ve had mine for years now and that hasn\u2019t happened yet. (Crossing my fingers as I type this, which is quite a trick.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a link to the product:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.rolandus.com\/products\/details\/757<\/a><\/p>\n

(I have the red one.)<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
<\/b>
\nSIM Cards<\/b><\/p>\n

I forgot to mention SIM Cards. I need them for my tape recorder and my camera. It\u2019s good to stock up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nMobile or land-line telephone<\/b><\/p>\n

My mobile phone is a Samsung Galaxy that runs on Android. Love it\u2014although I had to invest in software to transfer tasks and meetings from Outlook. It was worth it.<\/p>\n

My home phone is an Uniden. It\u2019s fine.
\n
<\/b><\/div>\n

\nHeadset for computer and telephone<\/b><\/p>\n

Again, I have three. Haven\u2019t found one I like yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nCamera<\/b><\/p>\n

I have a Sony digital handheld camera model DSC-H5 and a video camera too, but these days I tend to just use the camera and video functions on my phone. (My photography and video skills suck though, so don\u2019t copy me.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nE-reader<\/b><\/p>\n

I adore my Kobo. It became even more useful after I downloaded Adobe Digital Editions onto my desktop so that I could read PDFs on the little thing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nDigital pen<\/b><\/p>\n

People rave about these, but I haven\u2019t tried them yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nTranscription software<\/b><\/p>\n

Ditto.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nWhat tools do you rely on?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By Tracey Arial www.traceyarial.com What in the world do I mean by \u201ctechnical tools\u201d for writers? There are many possible tools a writer might use, including a dictionary, a thesaurus and a desk (either standing or sitting) and chair or large ball, but that\u2019s not what I\u2019m talking about here. 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