Technology and writing and everything in between.

Browsing one of my favorite websites, TED.com, I came across author Sam Martin discussing how the building of his backyard writing space sparked his interest in “manspaces” nationwide. I’m uncertain as to how the term “manspace” applies, as my experiences have shown the need for personal space is independent of gender. Nonetheless, I found the video interesting and relevant for writers who are “carving out” their place in this world with ample room for GADGETS…I hope!

via http://ted.com

If you’ve seen Kung Fu Panda you know that the key to the "secret ingredient" is just to believe there’s a secret ingredient.  So if you’re going to have your morning cup of java or tea, why not transform it into "screenwriting fuel" with this cup from Zazzle.com.  Let it be a constant reminder of your screenwriting goals in 2010. 

Buy Here: $13.95

The Ergohuman is considered by many ergonomic chair experts to offer the biggest bang-for-the-buck in terms of ergonomic benefits. This chair competes directly with the Aeron by Herman Miller. Although one of the key features of the Ergohuman is the lower lumbar support, its “executive style” also fulfills my sole complaint of the Aeron which is the lack of high lumbar and neck support.

Sitbetter.com offers videos explaining the benefits of several of the top ergonomic chairs, and posts them on YouTube. Be forewarned the audio quality is lacking, but nonetheless the videos offer some great insight into the Ergohuman ergonomic chair.

I came across this video a while ago but it just occurred to me to share it with the readers of the Founders’ Blog. If you’ve ever been afraid to write, or do any sort of creative thing for fear of what people may think or how you’ll be compared, watch Elizabeth Gilbert break it down into little bites we can easily digest at TED2009. And if you haven’t already, check out this wonderful writer’s book Eat Pray Love. TED2010 is currently in session in California from February 9th to the 13th.

via http://ted.com

So there you are nestled behind your desk, wearing your favorite roomy t-shirt and sweats, all the while pecking away at your keyboard. Your back feels great in that new ergonomic chair, the extended monitor is candy-for-your-eyes and your keyboard and mouse setup feel like an extension of your body. But what about your feet? FEET? WHO NEEDS FEET? TELL MY HOLEY SOCKS TO PRAY FOR ‘EM, I’M BUSY SPINNING GOLD WITH MY FINGERTIPS!

Seriously, I tried on a pair of these Memory Foam Slippers from The Sharper Image and my body sunk about 3/4 an inch down into a billowy cloud of bliss. These would make a great techy - but not so techy - gift for anyone.  But give these to a home-writer and they may just love you for it.

Cost: $29.99

The folks at OfficePOD believe the ability to work from home is a trend that’s here to stay.  I think their product is ideal for writers with a backyard and who are in need of "space" to write.  You wouldn’t think twice about a shed for housing the lawn tools, a greenhouse, or playhouse for the kids, so why not an office pod?  So often writers find themselves carving out work space at the kitchen table or on the couch - only to be interrupted by the kids, the dog, the telephone or solicitors banging down the front door.

There’s lots of benefits for corporate too, such as reducing commute time, more focused employees, etc, however the OfficePOD would be absolutely ideal for writers seeking solitude and a special place designated solely for the depositing of their brain droppings. The OfficePOD is energy efficient and designed in great part with recycled or recyclable products. Each pod is delivered and constructed by a specialist team and measures approximately 7′ x 7′.  To date, this brilliant idea is only available in the UK for £14,950 ($24,273).

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QWERTY computer keyboards have been accessible by consumers since the dawn of PCs (personal computers).  Sure, desktop keyboards have become more ergonomic and sleeker, but the shape of the keys has remained consistent until  now.  Well…sort of.  The new chiclet keyboard is mimicking fashion - meaning you have to go way way back to find the design in certain gadgets manufactured in the 80’s. 

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The Founders’ Blog has written in-depth about the advantages for writers of multiple monitors or even just an extended monitor.  Remember the goal with having large extended monitors is not to expand a single window 24" (or however big your monitor), but rather to open multiple windows inside of the allotted space.  This dynamic speeds up productivity, allowing a writer simultaneous access to multiple apps and the internet. 

To speed up the process of positioning two windows to fit within a single screen, Windows 7 has included windows management functions within the OS. You simply drag a window to the top or sides of the screen, and it will be maximized or resized to take up only half of the screen.

The most recent Mac OS X Snow Leopard does not offer the windows resizing feature, but you can purchase a shareware product called Cinch for $7 and accomplish the same thing.

To view videos showcasing the benefits of resizing windows check out the following links:

Windows  7

Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6

Herman Miller never ceases to be innovative, focusing most of their ergonomic design on chairs (i.e. Embody Chair, Aeron). However, recently the company has embarked on a new ergonomic quest - the desk.  Introducing the Envelop - aptly named because of its sliding, flexible support surface called the "infield".  This area of the desk slides forward 7" and slides down 7" allowing you to customize your desk according to your body type - literally "Enveloping" you.  Take a look at the guy in the picture.  Can you not imagine yourself writing all day in that position?  Go to Herman Miller to find out more. ($TBA)

Someone sent me the link to this product at www.zazzle.com and I laughed out loud.  The best thing about the shirt is it’s customizable.  Think about it… if you happened to be standing behind someone in line with their blog printed across their back, wouldn’t you be curious to know what they write about?  Bloggers are so often faceless folk, so spotting one in the wild is so paparazzish. And though the holidays are all but over, I can’t think of a more creative gift to give a blogger…just because.  Comes in all sizes and many color combos.  Price: $22.75 Click Here.

Remember the pencil sharpener attached to the edge of the chalkboard in your 2nd grade classroom? Probably not, but X-Acto, the company most likely responsible for that product is seventy-five years old and still going strong. For those of you who like to kick it old-school, you can still get a brand new vintage-looking pencil sharpener. 

Check out the X-Acto 1001 Ranger 55 heavy-duty pencil sharpener.   All-metal construction with steele dual cutters will ensure your pencils are sharp and ready to scribble your brain droppings all over the place.  Mounting screws are for wall or desk mount.  Purchase at a reseller for about $29.99: Click Here

X-Acto also manufactures a vacuum mount sharpener complete with chrome and a sturdy build. Available at numerous resellers ranging from $23 - $29: Click Here 

I was grasping for a terse explanation of the OtterBox Commuter, thinking what niche does this case fill(?).  OtterBox’s own marketing lingo sums it up - "It’s protection without the bulk."  Ah yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking - well almost - because you have to include the benefits of a hard outershell amongst its top attributes. 

A lot of folks do not like to carry their phone in a holster on the hip.  They prefer to ensconce the case inside a leather pouch that they can then drop in a bag or large pocket.  However, their justified fear is that it’s just a matter of time before they fumble the naked Tour while taking it out of the pouch and drop it on the ground.   What follows is a mild cardiac arrest as they check the device for damage!

Enter the Commuter case….

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Fisher Space Pen - Packed with technology, the Space Pen is, without exception, the best pen on the market for travel.  The website offers a large selection at very reasonable prices.  When purchasing, keep in mind most writers will utilize the clip accessory for attaching the pen to journals. Starting as low as $9 - Fisher Space Pen Co.

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This November we’re giving away product samples at LitCentral Founders’ Blog.  Throughout the year we conduct numerous product reviews for some of the finest tech products on the market. Our goody box is piling up with product samples, and the season for giving is fast approaching.  The product samples have been used for testing purposes, but are in excellent condition.  Items include ergonomic mice, laptop bags/backpacks, Field Notes and an OtterBox BlackBerry Tour case.

It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 to win.   Here’s what you need to do to enter:

This week we’ll be giving away an Otterbox Impact case.  To learn more about the case click on the linked photo above.

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No need to check the calendar.  It’s true.  We are fast approaching 2010 and still the most you can hope to get out of a laptop battery is 3 - 5 hrs.  “But, but…” I know, I know, there’s a robot on Mars and a man on the moon. Go figure.

Until manufacturers can figure out the short-lived battery dilemma, external batteries remain the only key to unfetter the mobile writer.  We’ve all seen the chaos that can ensue over the lone outlet jack in the airport terminal or Starbucks cafe.  It’s an ugly site and quite frankly, degrading as much as it is ridiculous - human beings hovering over a single outlet jack like a squirrel burring a nut for the winter. Rise up from the muck and mire people and go forth hauling 20+ hours of battery life with the HyperMac extended battery.

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This November we’re giving away product samples at LitCentral Founders’ Blog.  Throughout the year we conduct numerous product reviews for some of the finest tech products on the market. Our goody box is piling up with product samples, and the season for giving is fast approaching.  The product samples have been used for testing purposes, but are in excellent condition.  Items include ergonomic mice, laptop bags/backpacks, Field Notes and an OtterBox BlackBerry Tour case.

It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 to win.   Here’s what you need to do to enter:

This week we’ll be giving away two ergonomic mice - a Humanscale Switch Mouse and a Contour Design RollerMouse free.  To learn more about the bags, click on the linked photo above.

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I love to skeet shoot.  The number one rule to remember is: Think small, aim small, miss small.  In other words, instead of aiming at the entire clay pigeon, aim for a piece of it.  It narrows your focus and heightens your chances of success.  How the hell does this equate to a tranquil writing bungalow in the woods?  Put a sock it in - I’m gettin’ there!

And back to my center of peace…

Me: Well, what’s stopping you? 
You: That thing we call “dinero” with lots of “muchos” on top. 
Me: How do you plan on obtaining this muchos dinero? 
You: After I sell my blockbuster screenplay and rake in the 15 points on the back-end of the contact.
Me: Sweet.  But isn’t it the calming affect of the bungalow by the brook that helped you create that blockbustin’ screenplay?
You: Uh…yes.  Listen, is this going to be a chicken and the egg thing?

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This November we’re giving away product samples at LitCentral Founders’ Blog.  Throughout the year we conduct numerous product reviews for some of the finest tech products on the market. Our goody box is piling up with product samples, and the season for giving is fast approaching.  The product samples have been used for testing purposes, but are in excellent condition.  Items include ergonomic mice, laptop bags/backpacks, Field Notes and an OtterBox BlackBerry Tour case.

It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 to win.   Here’s what you need to do to enter:

 

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This blog has written at length about the advantages of tablet PCs (TPC) for writers.  In fact, the lack of writers’ awareness regarding various technologies that enhance productivity was the impetus behind LitCentral starting this blog.  Lump TPCs into the “technology that enhances writers’ productivity” bunch. If you are the type of writer that likes to map out your novel or script with handwritten notes, 3×5 cards, and Post-it stickers the TPC is a great solution.   Using software applications like OneNote and Evernote with your TPC,  you can write directly on the screen,  capturing all of your handwritten notes (all in one place) and never run out of ink or paper.  

When I first became interested in the TPC over five years ago, you could expect to pay a minimum of $2000 for the cheapest of models, and up to $4500 for the crème de la crème.   Today, prices have dropped considerably with certain models starting at $799.

LifeBook T4310

Fujitsu is one of the oldest manufacturers of tablet PCs, helping to pioneer the hardware platform over 20 years ago.  They offer the largest selection of TPCs, and recently joined the family of multi-touch tablet PCs with the introduction of the Lifebook T4310. Most tablets are built around a “mobile” platform with light weight hardware (2.4 lbs - 4 lbs) and small 12″ screens.   The T4310 is no different.  It offers the latest dual digitizer technology with pen input and multi-touch interaction, a modular bay, bi-directional display hinge, and the performance of Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor technology.

Starting at $1049, the Fujitsu LifeBook T4310 isn’t the cheapest TPC on the market, but it does not compromise on quality or technology. My only gripe is that I would prefer it have a faster FSB (1066 MHz vs 800 MHz).  Available for order late October.  Go here for more info.