technology

Writers are really entrepreneurs at heart.  Our mantra is, If I write it they will come.  As the co-founder of a literary development software company, maybe that’s why Kiva tugs at my heartstrings.  However, I think the real reason is their forward-thinking and use of technology and the web to help put an end to poverty.  Kiva helps entrepreneurs in impoverished countries help themselves.

Charities have been around since the dawn of mankind.  Do they work?  To some extent, but charities mostly serve as a band aide.   Say it with me - "Give me a fish, I eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I eat for a lifetime." The latter is Kiva and I love it!  Kiva uses the web to help third-world entrepreneurs get their businesses up and running by connecting them with average people willing to lend a few dollars.  Their mission is simple: To connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.  In short, the cost of an average trip to the grocery store here in the states helps a REAL PERSON in an impoverished country make great strides towards economic independence.

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You’ve just started a new writing project which requires you do a lot of internet research. Or maybe you’re planning a trip that will be the inspiration for your next screenplay.  You could save all the helpful web pages you come across in your research in a Favorites Folder, or bookmark them,  but that’s so…1988. All that provides you with is a link.   You need a smart tool that allows you to surf the web gathering blocks of text, images, links within the web pages, etc., and you want all this info stored in one place - accessible from any computer. Oh yeah, and free would be good.  Sheesh, you writers are so demanding! Well lucky for you, Google has created Notebook.  

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One of the best gadgets we came across at the Society for Information Display (SID) 2008 conference was the Readius. The Readius is described as "eReading comfort in a mobile phone". Its form factor has a lot of great potential for screenplays, manuscripts and mobile content in general. To date Polymer Vision, the creator of the Readius, is focused on being “The Rollable Display Company”.  Their latest product, Readius gives you a cell phone, RSS Feeds, Podcasts, eBooks, Music, News and email literally all “rolled up in one” single device.  Industry professionals who have a 300-page manuscript to read on a flight from NY to LA but don’t want to be bothered with their computer or worst yet, a paperbound submission can whip out the Readius which also allows for the importing of PDF documents.

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Where can I buy?
There are only a handful of brick and mortar shops that sell Tablet PCs along with laptops - and for good reason as TPCs are only 7% of the laptop market.  The web is your most abundant resource for Tablet PCs – direct from manufacturer or through resellers.  A great source for writers with beer budgets is the world’s biggest garage sale – eBay. You can get used Tablet PCs going for 30% - 70% off new prices.  Be careful to only purchase from sellers with quality feedback and numerous sales.  Note: A perfect feedback score of 100% with only 3 reviews is not good enough. 

Allegiance Technology Partners (ATP) is a good reseller of many popular brands such as Lenovo, Toshiba and Fujitsu.  ATP allows you to test drive a demo unit for a 48 hours using the TPC of your choice, for a minimal fee.  They are also a trusted source for purchasing your tablet when you’re ready. Some Best Buys carry HP tablets.  You’ll have to look closely because often times the way these devices are displayed, the center pivoting hinge is hidden behind a security bar, disguising it as a regular laptop.

Dollars and Cents
New tablets range from $799 to $2600.  HP has a very economical convertible tablet in the TX2000 series starting at $799.  Dell gets the prize for the most expensive (non-rugged) convertible with a beginning price of $2599.

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