Currently I am using different writing applications on different computers. I am finding that offline programs work better: write a bit, save, get busy with something else, write some more, save, get distracted, finish a draft, save, edit, then copy-paste into Write.as.
My #Windows app of choice is MarkPad. I like how it provides a live preview pane of everything you enter so you adjust accordingly.
My #Apple app of choice is uFocus. It's minimal, easy-to-use, and looks beautiful.
I am still searching for a #Linux-based app for my Pop_OS laptop. Meanwhile I'm using the built-in text editor, which lets you work in #Markdown (among many other languages).
I've yet to try a cross-platform app, but give it time.
Of course, I say all this while writing this post directly into Write.as. 🤷
A Dark Theme or a Dark Mode is being added to apps and operating systems with increased frequency. Apple has it, Twitter has it, and an update from #Microsoft late last year added it to #Windows 10.
There are supposed benefits to Dark Mode. Anecdotally, my eyes have not felt as tired once I started using it on my work computer.
To enable the Dark Theme on your Windows 10 computer:
Scroll down and select the Dark radio button under Choose your default app mode.
The windows and titles bars will now be all black. This took some getting used to, as I often had to do double-takes to locate the minimize/maximize/close icons. Then I enabled additional options to make the title bars and borders a different color so they stand out more:
Toggle Transparency effects to On.
Select the Title bars and windows borders check box under Show accent color on the following surfaces.
After completing a #Linux project last week, I realized I haven't used my Linux laptop for some time. I tinker on it mostly to teach myself the #Terminal command line. It also servers as a waiting room backup for when my car's in the shop.
Linux is a family of open-source software operating systems. Each version is called a distribution. Linux is secure, low cost, highly customizable, and can run well on older computers. If you're tired of the amount of malware directed at #Windows computers and don't want to spend or have the money to spend on a computer from #Apple, give Linux a try.
Here are some starting points if you're new to Linux.
#Ubuntu is one of the more well-known Linux distributions. It's what I am currently using. Ubuntu offers LTS (long term support) and non-LTS versions; go with the former. You can even try it as a bootable USB stick before installing it on your computer.
Admittedly I have not experimented with #Elementary, but it's on my to-do list. One nice feature of this beautiful-looking distribution from what I've read is that it's not as customizable as other distros, so it can help you stay focused on your tasks without getting lost down the bottomless customization hole.
Security-based Linux
Those users wanting a more secure OS or cybersecurity professionals looking for security testing tools have several options as well. This blog post gives some great examples, such as #Kali Linux.
And more
If you want to research the many other distributions that are available, try DistroWatch. It can help point you in other directions well.
Windows and Mac computers come with built-in features to zoom in on areas of the screen if such magnification is needed. These #accessibility tools are included for users with vision limitations so they can better use their computers. Magnifier comes on #Windows-based computers and Zoom is available on #Macs if text or images are too small to see clearly.
Magnifier for Windows 10
Press Windows logo key and Plus sign (+) on the keyboard to turn on Magnifier. Press Windows logo key + Esc to turn it off. Or, select Start > Settings > East of Access > Magnifier and toggle the feature on or off.
The Views menu provides you with different modes for zooming in on sections of your screen. I'm partial to Lens, which acts as a magnifying glass you move across the screen with your mouse/trackpad.
Magnifier for Windows 7
If you still use Windows 7, Magnifier can be accessed two ways. Select Start button and then type Magnifier in the search field. Or, select Start button > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Magnifier. Press Windows logo key + Esc to turn it off.
Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Accessibility > Zoom. Tick the box Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom to turn on this feature. Once Zoom is enabled, press Option-Command-8 to toggle zoom on/off, Option-Command-Equals sign (=) to zoom in, or Option-Command-Minus sign (–) to zoom out. Click your mouse cursor on a different portion of the screen and use the aforementioned shortcuts to zoom in/out on the new section.
If you're having trouble with your internet or connecting to a website/web-based service, support may request you to send over #traceroute details. This information can help diagnose your technical issue.
This #Windows utility allows you to trace how an Internet Protocol (IP) packet takes across a network. To collect this information:
Open the Command Prompt by using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R and entering cmd in the resulting window.
Type tracert google.com at the prompt. NOTE: google.com is used here as an example; you'll enter the URL or IP address of the site/service you're having trouble accessing.
Wait until the Command Prompt says the traceroute is complete. This may take several minutes.
Here is a sample of what should result from running the utility:
To copy this information:
Right-click the C: icon in the upper-left corner of the window. This will open a context menu. Select Edit > Select All.
Right-click the icon again and select Edit > Copy. This copies the traceroute information.
Paste the content into the body of an email to send to support. Alternately, you can paste it into a word processing document (Word, Notepad), save it, and then attach this file to your email.
Remember, when seeking help from any support department, more information is better. Help them help you. When you send over this, or any other information for that matter, explain your issue with as much detail as possible.
This utility also comes with options that can be added onto the initial command entered into Command Prompt:
Support will explain if any are needed for further details.
