Monday, February 10, 2014

When Software Slows Your Progress

For years I've loved Microsoft's OneNote. It's a brilliant software program for note-taking, organizing, lists, research, and oodles more. (You can read about my love of OneNote in "My Secret: Organizing Book Notes.") I keep ALL of  my research for each project there. I also track my writing progress, plotting dates, revising sessions, and business activity (submissions, etc..).



Early last year, though, I started having problems with OneNote. Every time I opened the program, it would go into a frozen cycle with the message "Not responding." After about two minutes of this, it would unlock, immediately "not respond" again, then in a little while it would allow me to work. It also would "not respond," if I let it sit idle too long.

Two minutes doesn't sound like a big deal, but anything more than five seconds is crazy to me. I just want to copy/paste a link, update my writing log, or check on some research. Is that too much to ask?

Well, I Googled the issue. Went on forums. Saw that some other people had the same problem. Tried their advice. Closed most of my notebooks. Deleted all but 2-3 pictures for each notebook.

Nothing worked.

I started relying on OneNote less. Tinkered with Evernote (a great program, but not as simple to use, plus I'm not sure it has the same functionality with tables). Bookmarked research sites instead of linking them. But I've had to come to a sobering truth.

My software is slowing my daily writing progress. I find that unacceptable. 

It's one thing when I procrastinate or spend too much time with my thesaurus, but it's another matter entirely when I'm desperate to stay in my groove and have to wait for a little circle to spin for two minutes before I can access my notes!

I do not have a solution at this point. Friends use Scrivener and love it. It looks ideal for me. Tons of organization, ways to incorporate pictures for research, index card scene breakdown--you name it. Everything for the book in one place. It's pretty reasonable, too, at only $40.00.

My writing budget has been depleted, but I plan on purchasing Scrivener as soon as my budget allows. It just doesn't make sense to get frustrated and lose precious minutes each writing session.

In the meantime, I'm researching Evernote more to see if I can easily make tables to chart my progress.

What do you use for organizing your research, notes, and all things book related?

Have a terrific day!

11 comments:

  1. I use Scrivener to write. I do have sections in it to keep bits of research and notes to myself. And it tracks my progress for me. I set up a word count target and a deadline for completion, then it keeps a running progress count for me.

    I also use Evernote extensively for a lot of things, not just writing.

    Good luck in your search for the set-up that will keep you productive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We obviously think alike! Scrivener sounds ideal for me! Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  2. This is why I resist upgrading my OS—inevitably something I use all the time won't work with the new version, and it costs me $$ to upgrade software or find something else. As far as your problem, though, I wonder if you could reinstall the software? Sounds like something got corrupted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh, I know! Upgrading drives me nuts! Good point about possible corruption. It couldn't hurt to try. :) Thanks!

      Delete
  3. I'm horrid at organizing my writing. Scrivenor is on my list too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do best when everything--notes, tables, research, daily progress spreadsheets, and photos--is in one spot. OneNote was ideal! Until it locked up... :)

      Delete
  4. Google drive.
    between documents, spreadsheets, pictures and folders, I can do it all there

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really. *eyes perking up* I didn't realize Google Drive could be such a one-stop source. Thanks so much! I'm checking into it!!

      Delete
  5. I use Evernote. Create notebooks for classes I'm teaching, recipes, You can also save .pdf files. I ditched appliance and electronic manuals, find them online and save them to my User Manual notebook. I have notebooks for art techniques, crafts, take-out menus. (I hate being buried in paper)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate being buried in paper too. And I LOVE being able to keep everything for a project in one place. ;)

      Delete
  6. Jill, I hear ya on that kind of frustration! Looks like you're getting some great suggestions. Here are some free Scrivener alternatives (haven't tried them - I use Scrivener): http://www.techshout.com/alternatives/2013/13/scrivener-alternatives/

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you!