Typewriters...
Say OMM - OmmWriter Review
Oh how I love this program. Seriously, the love I have for Ommwriter is way beyond that a geek should ever feel for a lump of code. It is unnatural and abnormal. Itself a sin against all that is good and pure. But hey, it's not unfounded. It really is such a pretty lump of code, and functional too, like all fine programs should be.
I'm writing this in it right now. One of seven fantastically well composed backing tracks rings soothingly into my ears via a much loved pair of WESC headphones. They loop so seamlessly that you hardly even notice it. I had long ago gotten into the habit of using music to zone out while writing. I found downtempo worked best, just jam some strange Shoutcast station on, fade your brain out from the world and get grounded. Yeah, that worked reasonably well, but something I have discovered is that atmosphere is an easily overlooked element that can have a serious impact on your output.Being grounded is great but it is not the same as being immersed, completely sunk into the work at hand, and sometimes that's the only thing that will do. Although visuals are obviously important, the audio element of Ommwriter sets it a thousand miles apart.
This has to be the first ever word processor that you can just fire up and listen to. An accomplishment in itself. Ommwriter's visual styling is clean and bare as you would expect but has a few differences over it's rivals that can make a whole load of difference. First off you notice the text area is easily re-sizable at any time with a quick drag. Second you might notice that all the options appear just at the right of the text area, represented by minimalist icons, with any mouse movement. The icons themselves are reasonably simple to decipher and offer quick access to everything you need for customising your writing session. The default background of a snowy landscape with a few bare trees is an excellent example of how a simple change can make a big impact. It is neither distracting nor in the way and makes thinking time a little more interesting.
Although more options would certainly be welcome, and they have already been pledged for new versions, Ommwriter blows the competition out of the water. It's totally free, well designed and a joy to use. Go on, give it a try.
Change.
Right Now
Right now my washing machine sounds like the end of the world. There are jet turbines out there that are quieter. There are pneumatic drills that vibrate less. My washing machine is dying and it's time of absolution is at hand. At least, next week it will be, I can no longer bear the sound of it's torture. In all fairness, she's done a cracking job for the last 5 years and it is with a heavy heart that I contemplate her impending journey to the scrap yard in the sky. Or the one that's nearest to me at the time. The cat has decided that the best place to be right now, despite the fact he should be in the kitchen mousing, is inside my cardigan. Likewise the best chair to sit on is the one I am sitting on... *sigh*
This Moment
At this moment, my flatmate is lamenting the news that her boyfriend missed the prize money in the pub quiz by only one question, one that no reasonably up-to-date person should forget. I mean honestly, who doesn't know what a T.A.R.D.I.S is by now? The cat is stalking whoever moves first, for whatever reason, and making his presence felt in his usual, highly-audible way. I am sitting heavily reclined on a sofa-bed way beyond the powers of mortal man to save, listening to trip-hop on large, brown and gold headphones and trying to muster the energy to move. Typing in the dark. For no apparent reason. Again.
Cranefly
poor, poor cranefly. you'll live
your entire life
behind that glass
in a dingy pub. inside a prison
you can't
even
see. all four hours of it.
Drew Exell - 2010
Rorschach Complex
people always seem
to cast furtive glances
and avoid me
when I am wearing my
trilby and jacket. it's a bit
annoying
but
on the whole
I think
I kinda like it.
Drew Exell - 2010
Door
if I have to wait
before I pull
the handle
why not
tell me
BEFORE
I pull it!?
Drew Exell - 2010
Stoic
being stoic
is
saying what needs
to be said
with
very
few
words.saying nothing
all the time
is just
plain
rude.
Drew Exell - 2010
