LORD LIGHTNING  just use a Uk proxy.

http://proxy.org/proxies_sorted.shtml  
(Version 1.16)

LORD LIGHTNING  Twenty bucks for dots and sticks. You are joking. This is a five dollar iPhone app.   
(Version 1.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  You almost certainly will have to download the full app and install from that. Typically, multimillion dollar Microsoft can't even use the Sparkle update system that little backroom and home garage software developers use without a hitch.

Every time Microsoft do anything they start by shooting themselves in the foot.

Guys, I am already a customer. Why do you go to so much trouble to make me take my business elsewhere?

Most of my professional colleagues are now using Open Office etc and Nisus and Pages. When Apple get Pages to the point where it can translate and parse code properly so that I can export and import to other apps then I will simply slip silently out of the Microsoft customer base.

Think on it Microsoft. Get the rod out of your back - loosen up and get with the program.

This should work before you release it.

No stars at all.  
(Version 12.1.9)

LORD LIGHTNING  You almost certainly will have to download the full app and install from that. Typically, multimillion dollar Microsoft can't even use the Sparkle update system that little backroom and home garage software developers use without a hitch.

Every time Microsoft do anything they start by shooting themselves in the foot.

Guys, I am already a customer. Why do you go to so much trouble to make me take my business elsewhere?

Most of my professional colleagues are now using Open Office etc and Nisus and Pages. When Mac get Pages to the point where it can translate and parse code properly so that I can export and import to other apps then I will simply slip silently out of the Microsoft customer base.

Think on it Microsoft. Get the rod out of your back - loosen up and get with the program.

This should work before you release it.

No stars at all.  
(Version 12.1.9)

LORD LIGHTNING  You almost certainly will have to download the full app and install from that. Typically, multimillion dollar Microsoft can't even use the Sparkle update system that little backroom and home garage software developers use without a hitch.

Every time Microsoft do anything they start by shooting themselves in the foot.

Guys, I am already a customer. Why do you go to so much trouble to make me take my business elsewhere?

Most of my professional colleagues are now using Open Office etc and Nisus and Pages. When Mac get Pages to the point where it can translate and parse code properly so that I can export and import to other apps then I will simply slip silently out of the Microsoft customer base.

Think on it Microsoft. Get the rod out of your back - loosen up and get with the program.

This should work before you release it.  
(Version 12.1.9)

LORD LIGHTNING  If this was not supported by the AWG (and what the heck does that mean?), I would not use it at all. CeltX is free. Montage is becoming more and more refined and is slated to merge with Contour; the old draughthorse, Screenwriter Pro, still beats it for sheer reliability and heavy lifting. Oh! You say it integrates with Scrivener and Screenwriter Pro has an apoplectic fit when it tries to? Dang! That means I have to take it seriously all over again. Oh well.   
(Version 8.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Just a seriously competent app. I use this frequently, particularly when I have to contact the guys at iinet support. Definitely a five star application.  
(Version 3.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Just a seriously competent app. I use this frequently, particularly when I have to contact the guys at iinet support. Definitely a five star application.  
(Version 3.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Scrivener plays merry hell with a reviewer's superlatives. What do you say after, 'the best just got better'?

Scrivener 1.5 sets the benchmark to the aspirational level where all we can say to Keith Blount is, 'I wish for this, or I wish for that?' There simply is no other writer's application for the Mac that comes within coo-ee of Scrivener.

If you have any hesitation about trying Scrivener I strongly suggest watching the movie on the product page.  
(Version 1.5)

LORD LIGHTNING  10 years! So bring back WordPerfect.  
(Version 1.0.6)

LORD LIGHTNING  Finally I have found sufficient reason to dump Eagle Filer, MacJournal and Together.

Some nice chrome would help a lot to make it an even more enjoyable experience.  
(Version 2.0pb2)

LORD LIGHTNING  This is definitely a five star contribution to using Leopard.

Pure, clean, bright, friendly, consistent. A dream interface. It is going to a get a very long life on my Mac.  
(Version 2.1.2)

LORD LIGHTNING  Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a fizzog! Google is not getting all my photos on the web. Jees! I could get sued. Even old Aunt Nellie would put me in the dock in a magistrate's court - I didn't know she was in the background taking a slash when I photographed the cat.

Oh dear.  
(Version 3.0.0.310)

LORD LIGHTNING  Mariner have done a fantastic polish of an excellent application previously known as Totally Write. Contour takes a 44 beat structure (called Plot Points) across a standard Feature Screenplay format. Beginning with a set of smart questions based on Dr. Carol Pearson's "The Hero Within" it guides a writer through the essential steps of a screenplay form Plot Point to Plot Point. It also lends itself to a perfect fit with a range of other professional applications such as Montage, Final Draft and Screenwriter Pro.

One of its as yet unsung abilities is in Adaptation. Any book or other text, such as a stage play, could be easily worked through Contour so that only the key plot points are written up and developed in Contour then passed over to a screenwriting application for further development.

In a nutshell, if you have an idea that that you want to take all the way to a finished screenplay then Contour will give you a rock solid structure for a 120 page script. There can be no more 55 page fizzers with Contour. Highly recommended.  
(Version 1.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Doesn't Celtx do almost all of this FREE?

http://wiki.celtx.com/index.php?title=Main_Page  
(Version 1.7)

LORD LIGHTNING  Don't know what version of Scrivener Talazem was evaluating - but v 1.12b does Markup perfectly. So still no contest and a spurious and flawed comparison.

Don't get me wrong, Ulysses is fine for what it is, it is just that Scrivener is a direct competitor and it is streets better for writers - and the developer really does listen, seriously listen. Maybe that's part of why Scrivener is so superior. Version 2 is scheduled to appear in September so I strongly suggest that you download v1.12b and become familiar with it. At least look at the forum: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/

and at the video on the FEATURES section of the Scrivener splash page: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html  
(Version 1.6)

LORD LIGHTNING  Perhaps comparisons of Montage should be made against the FREE celtx - which is still not at version 1.0 - rather than with FD (v7) or Screenwriter Pro (v6) - which are both very mature products.

http://pc.celtx.com/

What is pleasing about Montage is that its development trajectory points to some real value for money enhancements around version 2.  
(Version 1.5)

LORD LIGHTNING  Yes, but no but --- why would you shell out $30 or thereabouts when Scrivener does all of this and is a real writing application as well.

The Scrivener forum is worth the price of the software and the software is worth two or three times what it's author is selling it at.

With Scrivener you get resizable cards, text, database, split screen, full page, film script, comic and theatre templates, fantastic courteous help, and the best writing software available anywhere at any price.

Compare this to Scrivener before you shell out.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/index.php?sid=a49ce48a0bb8d457d590e49aa73b2be7  
(Version 2.5)

LORD LIGHTNING  Scrivener is almost at v1.1 with this beta release. It is a pure shining gem among the best of the writing applications and it stands out from all of them.

Try it and see why it is some applications win devotees not just users.

Brilliant!  
(Version 1.09b)

LORD LIGHTNING  I would have to give HyperRESEARCH five stars. The PhD I did using the application won the top university prize for Doctoral level research.

Functional learning curve - about two hours.

Yep! Five stars.  
(Version 2.8)

LORD LIGHTNING  If you have one chapter, one actor, and one scene the panel that sits on top of your actual writing panel is small enough to get on with the business of writing, but if you have twenty five chapters, forty characters (actors), or over a hundred scenes - there is is no room left to write in the panel below.

SOLUTION: get Scrivener,

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html  
(Version 2.3.4)

LORD LIGHTNING  SOHO Ho Ho!

It's like using a Sherman tank to swat a fly. Waste of space.  
(Version 5.7.2)

LORD LIGHTNING  Who cares!

I just did a feature by feature comparison with Scrivener and I can see why I decided to drop Ulysses form my computer. I transferred all my writing stuff to Scrivener and quite simply my productivity soared. I can only suggest you do the same kind of comparison:

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html  
(Version 1.5)

LORD LIGHTNING  With so many REAL writing enablers on the market why isn't the developer of this silly application aware of them?

Try here before you even waste the download bandwidth on this.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/22995/scrivener  
(Version 1.5.42)

LORD LIGHTNING  Version 1.0 was perfect.

Version 1.01 begged superlatives that reached beyond perfect.

Version 1.02 ruins the whole English reservoir of descriptors. There are no words up to the task.

Features: What else is there to add? Yes it's possible to pillage the other competitors for ideas - but why add bloat when Scrivener does everything a writer can ask of it to real, day to day work?

Ease of Use: There is no competitor that even come close. Brilliant gets close but it doesn't describe Scrivener. Outstanding ease of use - doesn't do it either. Try it for yourself and then have a go at describing just how easy it is to do so much.

Value: Ha Ha Ha. Anything that even does a few of the things that Scrivener does is at least two or three times the price. Scrivener really should sell like hot cakes on a cold rainy day - and give you the same warm feeling of satisfaction. You will never feel any regret that you paid a measly $35 to $40 for Scrivener. You can buy Scrivener for the price of one or two Moleskine note books. (http://www.moleskine.com/eng/)

Stability: Like a rock. If your computer hard drive is healthy then Scrivener will be the last application to fall. It is quick, responsive, obedient, and perfectly behaved.

The perfect writer's companion - even better than caffeine.  
(Version 1.02)

LORD LIGHTNING  Claims it accepted the Lottery Challenge but doesn't tell you that the Lottery Challenge was abandoned in 2004 due to lack of response. However, I used it for a period of six months and fluked several small wins - no more, no less than chance would give. Probably won less than $50 over six months.

I was also troubled by the claims that it uses the work of Professor Edwards Deming. I studied with Professor Deming many years ago and I am familiar with his work. I honestly can not see its application to lottery software. For a start, where are the red balls?

Finally, it is too expensive for what it does and it stinks that you have to keep paying for updates.  
(Version 6.5.1)

LORD LIGHTNING  Can't see a single function here that Scrivener doesn't do better. Much, much better.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html

Sorry Bartas. You didn't listen when you had the opportunity. Bye Bye.  
(Version 2.2.9)

LORD LIGHTNING  Perfect, Just perfect.

The vertical splits and notes panels are to die for functions. Much more versatile than they first appear. In fact, just about every function surprises you as you discover new - even thrilling - ways to use this brilliant application in your work as a writer. It is a perfect partner for other top of the tree professional applications such as Screenwriter Pro and Final Draft.

There is nothing even remotely comparable.

I can see hordes of writers finally having a reason for using their Windows computers as ships' anchors and buying a Mac. Apple should pay Keith Blount a licence fee on every computer sold to a writer from now on.

New, groundbreaking, stunning, superlatives just don't measure up to Scrivener's competencies.

Every five star review is an understatement. The best breakthrough software for writers in a decade.

I just deleted five other dedicated writing applications and replaced them with Scrivener.

The price! Can you believe the price?

Truly amazing!  
(Version 1.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  This is strangely familiar. Quite like Scrivener. A bit like Avenir and a bit like Jer's NW. It even feels a bit like Montage. The templates will attract users because they are visual and well crafted. The Wiki link approach will also attract users. Is it a worthy competitor for Scrivener? Not even remotely. Pretty though!  
(Version 1.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Can't see the point of this when Scrivener does all this and provides the best, bar none, writing application there is. Scrivener will cost about $35 when it is release soon (very soon) in fully licensed version 1. The beta v5 is free (time limited, as is Scrivener Gold (forever)

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

or

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/dlbeta/ScrivenerRCb5.dmg   
(Version 2.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Yes, Avenir is OK, but compared to Scrivener it is not even close as a real writing tool for serious everyday writers.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=626&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Scrivener is about to go beta 5 and then to full version 1 in month or so. It is an astonishing application, scoring at least 4 or 5 stars on each key indicator. At the moment it is free. Read the documentation that comes with the dmg and also the Tips and Tricks thread. A manual is promised with the release of full version 1 around Christmas - New Year.

At least do a comparison between Avenir and Scrivener before parting with your money.  
(Version 2.3b11)

LORD LIGHTNING  Yes! This is worth consideration.

Perhaps a little help with English would make the manual more professional. For example, 'information' is a collective noun. One can have one piece of information or many pieces of information. The manual turns the plural into informations - with an s. Obviously did not use a spell checker - at least an English one.

There are a few of these little hiccups here and there. But hey! I'm talking about spelling. The application is excellent.  
(Version 1.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  Scrivener 1.0RCb4.1 is now at their site along with some template downloads.

Scrivener 1.0RCb4.1

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=626

The templates are at:

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=625

This is quite astonishing software for writers.

READ the documentation and get across the forum threads. The returns for a little effort are in the realm of Zen for writers.  
(Version 1.0RCb3)

LORD LIGHTNING  You will experience profound cognitive dissonance if you pay for this. Wait for Movie Magic ScreenWriter Pro, now in very advanced version 6 development. Try Mariner's Montage, which is in the hands of very responsive developers. Better still, try Scrivener which is about to be released as beta version 4 - probably as soon as this weekend). Go to the Scrivener forums to get the information you need.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/  
(Version 7.1.3)

LORD LIGHTNING  For goodness sake, give this rubbish the flick and take a serious look at Scrivener.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

Read the notes that come with the free betas. Scrivener is almost at beta 3. Read the forum notes and no time you'll switch if you are a serious writer.  
(Version 5.6.3)

LORD LIGHTNING  Glad I kept the older version. Redraw is seriously flawed.  
(Version 7.0)

LORD LIGHTNING  We are already flying in 747's and this guy wants to introduce us to balsa wood and calico. z-Write in its present incarnation is just silly.

Consider the free, Scrivener Gold, http://www.rumramruf.com/ScrivenerBeta/dlbeta/ScrivenerGold.dmg; MacJournal, and any other note taking software. If you want to pay, go for WriteItNow or StoryLines/WritersCafe. You'll find a description of them here: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/

They are listed under 'Software by other folk'  
(Version 1.5.35)

LORD LIGHTNING  I know this should be about WriteRoom, but try Scrivener Gold. It's free and has everything the others have and more. It comes on the scene from a published writer so it actually works as a writing tool. If you are doing real day to day writing you just have try Scrivener. It is excellent. Grab it while it's free. It does everything WriteRoom does plus, plus, plus, so much more.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

OR

http://www.rumramruf.com/ScrivenerBeta/index.html

I have a 120 minute television drama and a one hour documentary and two novels loaded on it and it works like a dream.  
(Version 1.0b2)

LORD LIGHTNING  I know this should be about WriteRoom, but try Scrivener Gold. It's free and has everything the others have and more. It comes on the scene from a practising writer so it actually works as a writing tool. If you are doing real day to day writing you just have try Scrivener. It is excellent. Grab it while it's free. It does everything WritRoom does plus plus plus so much more.

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

OR

http://www.rumramruf.com/ScrivenerBeta/index.html

I have a 120 minute television drama and a one hour documentary and two novels loaded on it and it works like a dream.  
(Version 1.0b2)

LORD LIGHTNING  So, where can I find iBezz?  
(Version 1.0.2)

LORD LIGHTNING  Very promising. Not resizable and locks out every other application with a black semi-transparent background. You can't have another application open that you might need while working in Glass Writer Pro. I can't see where the Pro comes from. This just a simple, but conceptually very interesting, application written in Supercard. Pro level applications don't hog the entire desktop.  
(Version 2.5.1)

LORD LIGHTNING  Why would I pay $150 or so Australian for this when MyMind and Freemind are free? They do the job equally well if not better. It's a fine application. It's just in the markeplace where there are free applications of exactly the same type that work just as well.

MyMind 1.3.2:

http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/11451

Freemind 0.8:

http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/19325

Compare the features. Nothing in it really.  
(Version 3.0.5)