Purple Wren

Writer, the Internet Typewriter

I was searching for a minimal word processor. I didn't want a lot of formatting bells and whistles - just text. Microsoft Word has a lot of hidden code that can really mess up your blog if you copy and paste.

Writer, the internet typewriter, by John Watson is one tool that I found. I love it! I can concentrate on writing and not be distracted by any of the usual clutter on my screen. Use the F11 key to expand to full screen mode. (Click on the photo to enlarge.)

And you can save the text, count it, upload it, PDF it, print it, send it to your email account or post it to a blog.

The default is this great green type on a black background or you can change the preferences for color, line spacing or font.

What word processor do you use?

Top Social Media Tools

There are a lot of tools out there and many of them are free or low cost. Thanks to Steve Dale for listing the Top 100 Social Media Tools. How many of them have you tried? Maybe there's a solution that fits your need.

You can list your top ten picks at the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies.

One thing I like about lists is we have a chance to check out any tools that we might not have noticed yet. Are there any of them that are new to you?

Wordless Wednesday: What do you see?

We all see different things when we look at a photo. Our view of the world reflects how we interpret pictures.  My husband saw this photo of clouds and said, "put up your dukes, Iowa." I saw bird heads. Hmmm... What do you see? 

peering over the wall, originally uploaded by withrow.

 

Restoration of Flood-Damaged Photos

Now that the flood waters are beginning to recede, people are able to get in and assess damage. One of the most heart-wrenching things is the loss of precious photos. They cannot be replaced. However, they may be able to be restored. There is an organization called Operation Photo Rescue that was started after Katrina and they are open to helping where they can in Iowa. They are a network of volunteers who can repair photographs damaged by natural disasters - at no cost to the owner.

And, there is a local photographer who is involved - Kevin Barber of Barber Photography. He is gathering other volunteers who may be able to help. Contact him today if you can help, or if you have damaged photos and need help.

Here's tips for salvaging flood and water damaged photos. It's important to take immediate action - and the right steps.

Wordless Wednesday: Momentarily Forgetting the Floods of '08

Fans took time off to enjoy the Iowa Cubs game now that the ballpark is not threatened by floodwaters.

Photo by James G. Lindberg

Wordless Wednesday: Sandbagged

Iowa is getting more rain today and people have been preparing for the worst. Here's just one photo from downtown Des Moines.

Court Center, sandbagged, originally uploaded by Synthesizers.

 

Angela's Raw Adventure

I'm teaming up with Angela Clark of enrgPATH. She is embarking on a raw journey for the next 90 days.

Are you interested in healing your body with food?

What's the big deal with raw food?

 

Join Angela's Raw Adventure via her blog at www.blog.enrgPATH.com to see how she is using local resources to eat a 90% raw food diet for 90 days.

• See Angela's "before" pictures 
• See pics of Raw Food 
• Get Information on Raw Food Demonstrations 
• Find out where you can join Angela for a meal
• Find links to raw food web sites, blogs, and recipes
• Find the local connections to raw food