Info Bar

[naturef...@gmail.com]

I am currently using Q10 for writing but since it is dead I would
really like to switch over to Writemonkey, a program that is still
being updated. The one thing that is keeping me from switching is the
info bar in Q10. I love being able to see the time and word count by
pressing ctrl-B and then banishing it again with the same hotkey. Is
there any plan to add something like this to Writemonkey? Is it
already there and I'm just ignorant?

[josip]

There is a "progress bar" in wm. First hit F12 to open Progress dialog
and see if all relevant boxes are checked. You can also toggle
progress bar visibility with ALT+P when writing. Progress bar includes
current word (or character) count and (optionaly) count down timer.
Hope that's what you are looking for ...
i.

On Apr 24, 1:31 am, "naturefreak...@gmail.com"

[Kensai]

I feel that Q10's info bar, its slick but subdued appearance (don't
discount this; these programs are "work environments", so anything
that jars, calls attention to itself, or is in the least way
unattractive or off putting is a serious problem) and the
functionality it provides (partial word counts, clock, file name) keep
me using Q10 far more regularly than WriteMonkey. Its really sad
given WM's technical and functional superiority in most other venues.

Navigation - all Q10 has is "notes" and that functionality is broken,
basically useless. WM has bookmarks and comments and tons of new ways
to set up a navigation system (in fact, I've set up a way to use this
functionality to allow me to not only write, but to do development
work on long format documents. The pseudo scroll bar and the new
scroll mechanisms are useful tools

Useability - the ability to be a windowed application as well as full
screen is not to be discounted. Even more subtly transformative is
the ability to have multiple instances open which allows multiple
files to be open, is exceedingly useful (scarily enough, I use WM more
frequently to have support documentation up and available while
writing in Q10 than for any other purpose). And, you simply can't
beat the ability to change apparent font size and side margins just
with keyboard/scroll wheel rather than having to go into a menu,
change values, exit menu, realize its not exactly right, repeat.

And that stuff is just off the top of my head. It would seem that WM
is light years beyond Q10, and logically, I have no doubts. But
results don't lie. I've written about 120k words in Q10 in the past 6
months, happily. I've slogged through maybe 30k in WM. Please,
please, please, make partial word counts a priority and either give us
the option for a Q10-ish info bar or come up with some more wonderful
and inviting method of getting what we need onto the screen. Some of
use are not adverse to paying for our software, even if its
technically free, as long as we get exactly what we want.

Kensai

[josip]

About partial counts: Right now I'm working on a feature that would
allow wm to keep file based meta data. For example - the current caret
position will be maintained across sessions, also the count limits,
dictionary in use etc. The meta data will be kept in file properties
(supported by NFTS file system). With that in mind I can envision the
partial count feature, maybe even some kind of statistics to see
writing progress over time ...

So, partial counts -- YES, they are coming ;-) Speaking of that - I
don't think there is a need for more than one partial count. You have
one main overall count and a one partial count that writer could reset
at will. Do you agree?

The partial count could be implemented like this:
500 of 1500 wrd 0h 30m


about info bar: I'm not convinced. As I said before, time is available
by using quick peep function (F3). What else could one want on the
screen?

thanks for your post and all good words about wm
i.

[naturefreak827]

The reason that I like having the time displayed in the info bar is
that when I write I like to stay in the text editor. Like Kensai said
this program is a "work environment" and for me, even leaving the
editor for a few seconds can interrupt my concentration and cause me
to lose focus. The difference between the black background in wm and
my desktop background is too shocking. Also I like being able to have
a regular word count that is not part of a word limit/goal.

An info bar would allow me to see the time while remaining in wm.

[365Photo]

josip,

I generally agree with your concept about not displaying the time in
the progress bar. For me, it would be yet another distraction. I have
but to look at my wristwatch or up at my wall-mounted clock (or,
apparently hit f3 - thanks!). That being said, I see that there are
more than a couple of requests for a clock within these forums. Would
it compromise your 'Zen philosophy' of Writemonkey to give the end
user the option of adding the time to the progress bar? To retain your
preferred look and feel, the default setting for the time option could
be disabled.

For what it's worth, I find a timer a valuable part of my work flow.
It helps me to set limits, achieve goals, and schedule my time.
Although Writemonkey has this feature, the best timer I've found is
'Timer 1.4' (http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?
thread_id=2089292&forum_id=766269). It sits in my system tray and can
be programmed using verbose commands, such as '30min Get up for a
walk'. The reason I use this timer over that of the one built into
Writemonkey is that it becomes a global tool that I'm familiar with
and is usable with any application.

Giles

[DougEdmunds]

If you want to know what time it is,
you should take a break, and click here:

http://www.humanclock.com/