Writer (Beta): Two Keyboards Up… Way Up.

So if you’ll remember from my post From [Here] to <There> I mentioned that I was going to write up a little review of WindowsLive’s Writer (Beta). Well, today is the day of prophecy!! It turns out that this program is really nifty. It does one thing. And it does it well! –You: “But Rob, that’s your opinion. What do you have to back it up?”

I’m glad you asked [You]. To start off with, installation was a breeze. The only information that I had to provide was my blog’s URL, username, and password. Writer took that and ran like Forest Gump. It configured itself from there on out to be able to very seamlessly administer to the writing and editing of the posts on my blog.

This MoFo starts off looking like a word processor, (one that just so  happens to have the same look and settings as the blog’s webspace), then goes on to act as FTP interface for the blog post itself and any pictures or video you may add. Heck, you can even add a map insert. (Yeah, I just found that out :-) ). (You’ll see little links for all of these actions to the right side of the main window screenshot.)

Another cool feature  (yes, in my opinion) is that posts can be retrieved from your site, edited, and then reposted with the corrections/additions. And the action is very seamless (there’s that word again). Doing this feels just like something as simple as editing a TXT document. Well, it’s even easier really, because your recent previous posts  of also listed to the right on the main screen.

 

 

 

Honestly, there’s really not much else to it. Every action you might want to do with a post is covered in a concise, simple, seamless (Ha ha. Had to get at least one more in :) ) way and the user interface isn’t all jumbled and busy. Simplicity? Efficiency?? From the makers of Windows??? Yeah, we’re entering into a new era. Have to be.

 

P.S. – My apologies for the bad formatting, with regards to the pictures. They don’t lend themselves to being in a post, but I wanted you to be able to see at least some of the program.

Earn your [Nerd] Card:

So you’re sitting around one say catching up on your RSS Feeds, using Bit torrent to DL some p0rn, and reading “3001: The Final Space Odyssey” [Arthur C. Clark; 1997] when you get an itch to push (well, wouldn’t it be pull) some electrons around some copper. But you don’t just wanna stop there. You want to Really turn up the Nerdness. So what do you do?

Introduction: Nerd Kit <queue an angel chorus and the “light of heaven”>. Know a little C? Wanna fark with some electronics? Wanna learn about doing both at the same time? Nerd Kits is the way, the truth, and the LED.  This kit was put together by a duo of 1000 lbs. heads by the names of Humberto Evans and Mike Robbins. These cats graduated MIT with various degrees of which folks like ourselves could only dream. But they’re down-to-earth chaps of high caliber.

Being posted in Iraq at the moment, I had to shoot them an email to see about having the particle manipulator of the gods [in a box]* shipped via APO. Not only was the response timely, but it was also enthusiastic. These cats really do care about getting the ability to mess with really advanced electronic principles out into us laymen’s hands.

For my part, the most important and precious component of this kit is the included PDF. This gem is part instruction set, part digital electronics introduction, and part instigator. It tells you what connections to make for a number of projects, WHY you’re making those connection, as well as leaving these tantalizing bits that send you off into a tizzy to learn more on your own.

Their site is informative about the kit and who they are. I suggest heading over there and checking it out. Eh, I more than suggest. By order of the Caffeinated []Nerd Legion of Nettingshire you are commanded to check this deal out!