I've used TextExpander for years. Let's you program long and/or often used phrases, paragraphs, code, etc. and have them "expand" with a short custom phrase. Something I completely rely on while also thinking that I could do so much more with it.
Both of those tools probably have plenty of (and possibly superior) alternatives and competitors now, but I'm so used to them and how they remove friction in my processes, I don't even seek out the alternatives. Just goes to show the power of being the first one to solve something.
There can be a lot of wisdom in sticking with a tool that works for you. I’ve been using plain text writing apps for at least a dozen years. I started with Notational Velocity, quickly moved to nvAlt and used that until it stopped working with Dropbox, bought The Archive which I’m still using along with iA Writer. They all work basically the same. They have all accessed the same folder of text files. There’s no way I’m going to be writing in some other kind of app anytime soon.
My Slidey tool is my second monitor. I use a laptop, and I often correlate data between several sources and plonk it into excel. I have done this job for 8 years and only thought to ask for the second screen about 6 months ago. It has been life altering and should have been a thing years ago.
My favourite tool in my job is a little plugin called Overlord. With a single click of a button, it transfers my vector file through to my AfterEffects ready for animating. It's such a huge time-saver. I don't have to save, then import, then separate blah blah blah.
I had a look at that plugin, Steve. It looks really good. My work needs to purchase it for me. Also, it’s example 2,367,528 why the world needs a proper After Effects competitor. When it comes to being slidey, Adobe is molasses in Antarctica.
I write TREE with iA Writer (https://ia.net/writer). It's one of the original minimalist writing apps. A lot of those apps have been abandoned. iA Writer has had continuous development and it has become truly great. Here's why I love it:
— It's fast and lightweight. Microsoft Word is like an aircraft carrier. iA Writer is like being Aquaman riding a magical dolphin.
— My documents are saved at .txt files. They will be able to be opened on any device forever.
— My files are all easily accessible in a library on the sidebar, like in Apple Notes.
— Unlike Apple Notes, I can sync my files using any cloud service I like and I don't need iA Writer on every device. (I use Byword on my phone.)
— iA Writer highlights syntax. This helps me avoid using unnecessary words and cliches. (This feature can be turned off.)
— All formatting is done via Markdown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown). Markdown takes about 30 minutes to learn and is, in my opinion, the best way to write on a computer.
— This is the killer feature for me: I can copy my Markdown text in iA Writer and paste perfectly formatted text into Substack. I haven't found another Markdown editor that lets me do that without additional steps.
— It looks good. It's easier to make beautiful things if you use beautiful tools.
I've used TextExpander for years. Let's you program long and/or often used phrases, paragraphs, code, etc. and have them "expand" with a short custom phrase. Something I completely rely on while also thinking that I could do so much more with it.
https://textexpander.com
Also, GuideGuide, a super powered guides panel for Photoshop. Another one I've used for years and it's the first thing I use on every new file.
https://guideguide.me
Both of those tools probably have plenty of (and possibly superior) alternatives and competitors now, but I'm so used to them and how they remove friction in my processes, I don't even seek out the alternatives. Just goes to show the power of being the first one to solve something.
There can be a lot of wisdom in sticking with a tool that works for you. I’ve been using plain text writing apps for at least a dozen years. I started with Notational Velocity, quickly moved to nvAlt and used that until it stopped working with Dropbox, bought The Archive which I’m still using along with iA Writer. They all work basically the same. They have all accessed the same folder of text files. There’s no way I’m going to be writing in some other kind of app anytime soon.
My Slidey tool is my second monitor. I use a laptop, and I often correlate data between several sources and plonk it into excel. I have done this job for 8 years and only thought to ask for the second screen about 6 months ago. It has been life altering and should have been a thing years ago.
Hooray for your second screen, Vicky!
You're right! I take it for granted now.
My favourite tool in my job is a little plugin called Overlord. With a single click of a button, it transfers my vector file through to my AfterEffects ready for animating. It's such a huge time-saver. I don't have to save, then import, then separate blah blah blah.
I had a look at that plugin, Steve. It looks really good. My work needs to purchase it for me. Also, it’s example 2,367,528 why the world needs a proper After Effects competitor. When it comes to being slidey, Adobe is molasses in Antarctica.
Yea, I was excited with Cavalry came out but have a bit of learning to do yet to make any progress with it.
Cavalry looks very interesting. I’m going to give it a try when I have some free time (so probably in 2022).
I write TREE with iA Writer (https://ia.net/writer). It's one of the original minimalist writing apps. A lot of those apps have been abandoned. iA Writer has had continuous development and it has become truly great. Here's why I love it:
— It's fast and lightweight. Microsoft Word is like an aircraft carrier. iA Writer is like being Aquaman riding a magical dolphin.
— My documents are saved at .txt files. They will be able to be opened on any device forever.
— My files are all easily accessible in a library on the sidebar, like in Apple Notes.
— Unlike Apple Notes, I can sync my files using any cloud service I like and I don't need iA Writer on every device. (I use Byword on my phone.)
— iA Writer highlights syntax. This helps me avoid using unnecessary words and cliches. (This feature can be turned off.)
— All formatting is done via Markdown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown). Markdown takes about 30 minutes to learn and is, in my opinion, the best way to write on a computer.
— This is the killer feature for me: I can copy my Markdown text in iA Writer and paste perfectly formatted text into Substack. I haven't found another Markdown editor that lets me do that without additional steps.
— It looks good. It's easier to make beautiful things if you use beautiful tools.