MOApp's myWritings
The word processor for the rest of us.
Made with
myManuals
Everybody knows Word and
everybody 'knows' what a word processor should do. But nobody
really needs Word all the time or its cluttered interface and
of course not its speed. And everybody has unique demands and
needs. But we all share some commonalities.
We all just want to do our work - we don't want to read hundreds of pages of a manual first to realize, that it still does not work. We don't want dozens of buttons and labels and sub-buttons and panels and sub-panels. We don't kneed a speaking paperclip or ugly icons.
We all love OS X for its simplicity.
So too our Mac.
And that's why you'll love myWritings even more…
No clutter.
No single wasteful feature.
But a sophisticated and powerful functionality.
myWritings is a clean, fast and mighty writing environment for the daily 99% of our writing tasks.
Please notice - myWritings is not designed and written to replace Word. That's not its job. And it will never be. Period. It's the word processor for the rest of us. For those who just simply want to write and for all those missing WriteNow :-)
We all just want to do our work - we don't want to read hundreds of pages of a manual first to realize, that it still does not work. We don't want dozens of buttons and labels and sub-buttons and panels and sub-panels. We don't kneed a speaking paperclip or ugly icons.
We all love OS X for its simplicity.
So too our Mac.
And that's why you'll love myWritings even more…
No clutter.
No single wasteful feature.
But a sophisticated and powerful functionality.
myWritings is a clean, fast and mighty writing environment for the daily 99% of our writing tasks.
Please notice - myWritings is not designed and written to replace Word. That's not its job. And it will never be. Period. It's the word processor for the rest of us. For those who just simply want to write and for all those missing WriteNow :-)
Many tasks are the same for all
my applications, like how to purchase it, how to register it,
how to update it…
You will find manuals for those tasks here: MOApp Manuals
You will find manuals for those tasks here: MOApp Manuals
PLEASE NOTICE!
I've not written this manual to explain the basics of working with a Mac or texts under Mac OS X.
If you do not know how to work with text, how to copy and paste text, how to change the font, the font size or how to insert a table - please use one (or all) of the following links. All the basic tasks are the same - no matter if you are using myWritings, Mail.app, TextEdit or any other native Cocoa application with text-editing capabilities.
Mac 101: TextEdit
Mac 101 - Finder and the desktop
Mac 101: Applications, files, and folders
MacRumors Guides - Menu bar
MacRumors Guides - Mac Beginner's Guide
I've not written this manual to explain the basics of working with a Mac or texts under Mac OS X.
If you do not know how to work with text, how to copy and paste text, how to change the font, the font size or how to insert a table - please use one (or all) of the following links. All the basic tasks are the same - no matter if you are using myWritings, Mail.app, TextEdit or any other native Cocoa application with text-editing capabilities.
Mac 101: TextEdit
Mac 101 - Finder and the desktop
Mac 101: Applications, files, and folders
MacRumors Guides - Menu bar
MacRumors Guides - Mac Beginner's Guide
myWritings supports these file
formats:
Rich Text Format (.rtf)
- the recommended format
- everyone can open and edit this format
- no loss of formatting while sharing
- no images
- Windows/Linux compatible
Rich Text Format with Attachments (.rtfd)
- use it, when you need to save images too
- every Mac-user can open and edit it
- no loss of formatting while sharing
- only Mac compatible
Word 97 Format (.doc)
- use it, when you need to share documents with Word users
- every Mac-user can open and edit it
- most Windows users can open and edit it
- normally no loss of formatting while sharing
- no images
HINT: The default Word 97 Format does not save images - you are free to export a 'special version' with images if needed by menu…
Word 2003 Format (.xml)
- please don't ask me why someone should use this format :-)
- potential loss of formatting while sharing
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
Word 2007 Format (.docx)
- this is the default format for newer Office versions
- potential loss of formatting while sharing
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
Text Format (.txt)
- no formatting
- no images
- everyone can open and edit this format
- it works on the iPad, the iPhone and in the internet without any special application
OpenDocument Text (.odt)
- thats the default OpenOffice format
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
Rich Text Format (.rtf)
- the recommended format
- everyone can open and edit this format
- no loss of formatting while sharing
- no images
- Windows/Linux compatible
Rich Text Format with Attachments (.rtfd)
- use it, when you need to save images too
- every Mac-user can open and edit it
- no loss of formatting while sharing
- only Mac compatible
Word 97 Format (.doc)
- use it, when you need to share documents with Word users
- every Mac-user can open and edit it
- most Windows users can open and edit it
- normally no loss of formatting while sharing
- no images
HINT: The default Word 97 Format does not save images - you are free to export a 'special version' with images if needed by menu…
Word 2003 Format (.xml)
- please don't ask me why someone should use this format :-)
- potential loss of formatting while sharing
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
Word 2007 Format (.docx)
- this is the default format for newer Office versions
- potential loss of formatting while sharing
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
Text Format (.txt)
- no formatting
- no images
- everyone can open and edit this format
- it works on the iPad, the iPhone and in the internet without any special application
OpenDocument Text (.odt)
- thats the default OpenOffice format
- myWritings can open and save it like TextEdit does
- no images
- not everyone can open and edit this format
myWritings is a document based
application - means you are working with single documents and
every open document has its own window.
If you don't know how to deal with documents - please see the 'Basics' chapter…
The document window has four 'parts'
- The Tool Bar
- The Format Bar
- The Page View
- The Bottom Bar
Detailed Information to this parts you will find in the chapters of the same name…
· By default myWritings starts with a centered window. You are free to apply your own window size/frame to fit your needs (Preferences > Advanced > Lock Window Size).
· If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to automatically hide the Dock and the Menu bar when myWritings starts (Preferences > General > Hide Dock and Menu bar).
· myWritings can also be used in a fullscreen view (Menu > Window > Fullscreen). You are free to apply a black background for the fullscreen view (Preferences > Advanced > Fullscreen > Use black background).
· If needed you can switch the current document window into a 'floating' window - means the document window will always stay on top of all other windows - even when the application is not active/the frontmost (Menu > Window > Floating Window).
If you don't know how to deal with documents - please see the 'Basics' chapter…
The document window has four 'parts'
- The Tool Bar
- The Format Bar
- The Page View
- The Bottom Bar
Detailed Information to this parts you will find in the chapters of the same name…
· By default myWritings starts with a centered window. You are free to apply your own window size/frame to fit your needs (Preferences > Advanced > Lock Window Size).
· If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to automatically hide the Dock and the Menu bar when myWritings starts (Preferences > General > Hide Dock and Menu bar).
· myWritings can also be used in a fullscreen view (Menu > Window > Fullscreen). You are free to apply a black background for the fullscreen view (Preferences > Advanced > Fullscreen > Use black background).
· If needed you can switch the current document window into a 'floating' window - means the document window will always stay on top of all other windows - even when the application is not active/the frontmost (Menu > Window > Floating Window).
Like any other application with
Tool Bar - you are free to customize the myWritings Toolbar
to fit your needs (Menu > Window > Customize
Toolbar…).
You will also find a corresponding menu item in the menu - there you will also find its short cut…
If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to hide the Tool Bar (Menu > Window > Toggle Toolbar).
You will also find a corresponding menu item in the menu - there you will also find its short cut…
If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to hide the Tool Bar (Menu > Window > Toggle Toolbar).
The biggest advantage compared
with Schreiben is the all new Format Bar. Now you have quick
access to the most common used formatting tools. You don't
need to open an inspector or the font-panel
anymore…
1. Select font
2. Select font style
(for some fonts this is identical to bold and italic - but the Myriad for example has lots more styles)
3. Select font size
4. Select line spacing
(advanced spacing options can be accessed by menu (Menu > Format > Spacing…)
5. Select font trait (bold/italic/underline)
(advanced trait options can be accessed by menu (Menu > Format > Font)
6. Select alignment
7. Quick access the Format menu
If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to hide the Format Bar (Menu > View > Toggle Format Bar).
1. Select font
2. Select font style
(for some fonts this is identical to bold and italic - but the Myriad for example has lots more styles)
3. Select font size
4. Select line spacing
(advanced spacing options can be accessed by menu (Menu > Format > Spacing…)
5. Select font trait (bold/italic/underline)
(advanced trait options can be accessed by menu (Menu > Format > Font)
6. Select alignment
7. Quick access the Format menu
If you need a distraction free writing environment you are free to hide the Format Bar (Menu > View > Toggle Format Bar).
The Page View is your virtual
sheet of paper.
A WYSIWYG view.
You are free to step less zoom the view or fit it to the window or page size (Menu > View > Zoom In /Zoom Out/Fit Page/Fit Window).
You may also use the slider in the Bottom Bar to adjust the zoom value.
The view will automatically adjust its zoom value if you change the window size.
A WYSIWYG view.
You are free to step less zoom the view or fit it to the window or page size (Menu > View > Zoom In /Zoom Out/Fit Page/Fit Window).
You may also use the slider in the Bottom Bar to adjust the zoom value.
The view will automatically adjust its zoom value if you change the window size.
1. Toggle the
inspector
2. En/Disable the automatic spellchecking
3. Word Count
Hint: You are free to hide the word count (Preferences > General > Show word count)
4. Adjust the Page View zoom value
2. En/Disable the automatic spellchecking
3. Word Count
Hint: You are free to hide the word count (Preferences > General > Show word count)
4. Adjust the Page View zoom value
The inspector is for advanced
formatting options.
You can toggle the inspector by menu (Menu > View > Inspector)
You can toggle the inspector by menu (Menu > View > Inspector)
Sometimes one need to know a
little bit more than just the word count.
Thats why myWritings offers a detailed statistics accessible by menu (Menu > View > Show Statistics)
Thats why myWritings offers a detailed statistics accessible by menu (Menu > View > Show Statistics)
We all have to improve our
writing skills and we all have to check our writings for to
often used words. myWritings offers you an counted overview
of all your used words with one click and you can even search
for words…
PLEASE NOTICE!
There is a difference between the global margins settings in the Preferences (Preferences > Document > Page > Default Margins) and the individual settings for each document (Menu > View > Edit Margins…)
The global settings are the default margins for every new document and the individual settings are for the current document only…
There is a difference between the global margins settings in the Preferences (Preferences > Document > Page > Default Margins) and the individual settings for each document (Menu > View > Edit Margins…)
The global settings are the default margins for every new document and the individual settings are for the current document only…
PLEASE NOTICE!
myWritings is no replacement for Word.
I've added Header and Footer to Schreiben because many of its users asked for it.
But these Header and Footer are no Footnotes.
To access/enable/edit Header and Footer please use the menu (Menu > View > Edit Header/Footer)
There are different styles for Header and Footer - e.g. the date or the page number or the document title or the custom string or combinations of them.
You are free to skip the first page - for example when working with a front page.
If you want to global enable Header and Footer for all new documents - please do so by using the Preferences (Preferences > Advanced > Header and Footer > Apply header and footer based on last settings).
myWritings is no replacement for Word.
I've added Header and Footer to Schreiben because many of its users asked for it.
But these Header and Footer are no Footnotes.
To access/enable/edit Header and Footer please use the menu (Menu > View > Edit Header/Footer)
There are different styles for Header and Footer - e.g. the date or the page number or the document title or the custom string or combinations of them.
You are free to skip the first page - for example when working with a front page.
If you want to global enable Header and Footer for all new documents - please do so by using the Preferences (Preferences > Advanced > Header and Footer > Apply header and footer based on last settings).
The biggest advantage compared
with Schreiben is the all new templates section for Header
and Footer.
You are free to create and manage multiple templates for Header and Footer and select and apply them with one click…
You are free to create and manage multiple templates for Header and Footer and select and apply them with one click…
I don't know what you are
writing on a daily basis - but I find myself writing the same
stupid lines and paragraphs all the time again and again and
again…
Thats why I've added the Snippets to myWritings. We've better to do. So simply select one and hit return or drag-and-drop it or use the Toolbar button to insert it into the selected document.
You can even store and manage complete templates for documents incl. images and tables etc.
Access the Snippets by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Snippets)
Thats why I've added the Snippets to myWritings. We've better to do. So simply select one and hit return or drag-and-drop it or use the Toolbar button to insert it into the selected document.
You can even store and manage complete templates for documents incl. images and tables etc.
Access the Snippets by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Snippets)
No matter if you are writing
your awesome new article, your homework or even a new best
seller - I bet you have a lot of files of your research, lots
of notes and old writings etc. So why manage them with
another application or long-winded search them in Finder all
the time, when you can have them at your
fingertips.
Thats why I've added Files to myWritings.
Simple add new files for later use by Toolbar button - or even faster: simply drag-and-drop them onto the table in the Files window. Add a comment to better find them again and even Quick Look them if needed…
Access the Files by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Files)
PLEASE NOTICE!
myWritings does not create copies - it only stores a reference to the file path. So when the file is moved or deleted, there is no access. I've made this by intention - I hate applications that support clutter - they are counterproductive…
Thats why I've added Files to myWritings.
Simple add new files for later use by Toolbar button - or even faster: simply drag-and-drop them onto the table in the Files window. Add a comment to better find them again and even Quick Look them if needed…
Access the Files by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Files)
PLEASE NOTICE!
myWritings does not create copies - it only stores a reference to the file path. So when the file is moved or deleted, there is no access. I've made this by intention - I hate applications that support clutter - they are counterproductive…
I really like non-document
based applications. For one simple goal: you don't have to
search your documents :-)
Thats why I've created myRichTexts and myTexts for example.
Of course I do understand that single documents are necessary - otherwise I would not have written Schreiben and this new application. But I still hate to search for documents. I love to access them with one click.
Yes - I am aware of the 'Recent Documents' menu item - but ever tried to search for a document or even Quick Look it via this menu item? And after 50 new documents the recent documents list invariably begins to delete the oldest :-(
So I came up with a (hopefully) better solution to solve this pain in the neck - the Documents window.
Access the Documents by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Documents).
You are free to automatically show the Documents window overtime you start myWritings (Preferences > Advanced > Startup > Show document chooser).
In the documents window you will find all your created and saved documents - if you like even from the last teem years.
You can search for them and even Quick Look them.
PLEASE NOTICE!
myWritings does not create copies - it only stores a reference to the document path. So when the document is moved or deleted, there is no access. It even won't show up in the list. I've made this by intention - I hate applications that support clutter - they are counterproductive…
Please notice also that for performance reasons only the first 1000 chars of each document are stored for searching.
Thats why I've created myRichTexts and myTexts for example.
Of course I do understand that single documents are necessary - otherwise I would not have written Schreiben and this new application. But I still hate to search for documents. I love to access them with one click.
Yes - I am aware of the 'Recent Documents' menu item - but ever tried to search for a document or even Quick Look it via this menu item? And after 50 new documents the recent documents list invariably begins to delete the oldest :-(
So I came up with a (hopefully) better solution to solve this pain in the neck - the Documents window.
Access the Documents by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > View > Documents).
You are free to automatically show the Documents window overtime you start myWritings (Preferences > Advanced > Startup > Show document chooser).
In the documents window you will find all your created and saved documents - if you like even from the last teem years.
You can search for them and even Quick Look them.
PLEASE NOTICE!
myWritings does not create copies - it only stores a reference to the document path. So when the document is moved or deleted, there is no access. It even won't show up in the list. I've made this by intention - I hate applications that support clutter - they are counterproductive…
Please notice also that for performance reasons only the first 1000 chars of each document are stored for searching.
If you often need the same
formatting for your documents you should use the myWritings
Styles to store, manage and apply them.
Access Styles by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > Format > myWritings Styles…).
PLEASE NOTICE!
You need to know that I've designed the styles section to work best by using the keyboard.
Open the styles window with 'control+tab',
select desired style with 'arrow keys'
and apply style with 'return'.
If you want the styles window to stay open, you simply need to apply a style with 'command+return'.
Of course you can also use the mouse or the trackpad and the default Cocoa styles are still available by menu.
Access Styles by Toolbar button or by menu (Menu > Format > myWritings Styles…).
PLEASE NOTICE!
You need to know that I've designed the styles section to work best by using the keyboard.
Open the styles window with 'control+tab',
select desired style with 'arrow keys'
and apply style with 'return'.
If you want the styles window to stay open, you simply need to apply a style with 'command+return'.
Of course you can also use the mouse or the trackpad and the default Cocoa styles are still available by menu.
Most of us only need one file
format to work with.
Therewith you don't always need to select this format every time you save a new document you can apply a default format for new documents in the Preferences (Preferences > Advanced > Document > Default format).
Therewith you don't always need to select this format every time you save a new document you can apply a default format for new documents in the Preferences (Preferences > Advanced > Document > Default format).
There is nothing worse than
loosing written text. Thats why myWritings automatically
saves your documents by default. You are free to change the
interval or even disable this feature (not
recommended).
PLEASE NOTICE!
For every new created document myWritings ask once (and only once) where to save this document and all other auto-save task are performed in the background…
PLEASE NOTICE!
For every new created document myWritings ask once (and only once) where to save this document and all other auto-save task are performed in the background…
I will never understand why
someone really needs to use it, because it makes a text less
readable and most of all: ugly - but hey, thats just my small
opinion. And many requested it for Schreiben and so here you
are: Automatic Hyphenation for your pleasure…
En/Disable it by menu (Menu > Format > Automatic Hyphenation).
En/Disable it by menu (Menu > Format > Automatic Hyphenation).