myTexts (pro) Manual
The missing Text Editor for iPad.
Table of contents
"Less is more", as minimalist architect Mies van der Rohe says.
Not only is this aphorism true in architecture, it’s true in writing as well.
Enter myTexts (pro), software specifically designed with you, the writer, in mind.
Unlike most word processors, myTexts (pro) stands apart from the rest with its simple to use user-friendly interface. Without the burdens of superfluous features common in other softwares, myTexts (pro) helps you get more meaning out of your words with less distraction.
With myTexts (pro), you don’t need to worry about the glitz and glamour of eye-candy filling your screen, meaning less crashes, less distractions, and less troubles; myTexts (pro)’ integrated automated environment helps you focus almost automatically on writing. Simply put, you don’t have to worry about pesky pests like windows, buttons or formats. No mess, no fuss. myTexts (pro) truly turns your Mac and now your iPad into a supercharged typewriter.
myTexts (pro) supports following file formats:
Simple Text Files
myTexts Documents
HTML Documents (pro only)
Markdown Documents (pro only)
1. Click the 'Compose' button in the upper right corner
2. Type in the title
3. Click the 'Done' button
Hint: The myTexts (pro) native file format supports comments.
When working with the pro version you can choose the file format by simply clicking the desired one while creating a new document (see previous chapter).
Hint: Comments are only available in the native myTexts (pro) file format.
1. Click the 'Documents' button in the upper left corner
2. In the 'Documents View' select desired document
3. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Done' button
Hint: You can also 'double-tap' on the table to open selected document.
1. In the 'Normal View' click the 'Fullscreen' button to enter the fullscreen view
2. In the 'Fullscreen View' click the 'Exit' button to exit the fullscreen view
Hint: In the iPad Settings (Preferences) application you can apply different 'Fullscreen Themes' (pro only).
Of course the preview is less important when working with a simple text file but for myTexts file you want to print out later it may be important to view a 'paginated' preview - thats why myTexts pro simulates an US Letter sheet of paper with an 'average' font size.
And of course when working on Markdown and HTML files it makes sense to see a quick preview of what you're doing there.
To see the current document in 'Preview mode' you need to:
1. Click the 'Menu' button in the 'Normal View'
2. Select 'Preview Document'
Please notice that all documents are automatically saved in the background - so normally you don't have to save a document on your own.
But I know that sometimes after writing an important paragraph for example it is good to hit a 'Save' button…
1. Click the 'Menu' button'
2. Click 'Save Document'
Sometimes one want to have a 'Backup' for later use, so one can revert to an earlier version for example.
1. In the 'Normal View' click the 'Documents' button
2. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Action' button
3. Click 'Create Backup File'
Hint: You can even make backups of backups to keep multiple versions of an article for example.
No man is an island - not even the best poet. Since we write to be widely read and understood, myTexts (pro) multi-format file support makes it easy to exchange files with the outside world. myTexts inherently has read/write support to common and prevalent file formats like txt, html, markdown and its own format.
1. Click the 'Action' button
2. Select desired format/way to export your document/text
- Open In… (pro only) opens the complete file in the selected application - of course you need one like Good Reader installed.
- Open Text In… opens the current text in any other installed application able to handle text files - this is the most compatible option.
- Send As Mail… sends the current text as mail body.
- Send As Attachment… (pro only) sends the complete file as mail attachment.
- Send PDF File… (pro only) sends the current text as paginated PDF file attachment.
- Open PDF File In… (pro only) opens a paginated PDF file in any installed application able to handle PDF files.
Hint: If you want to print a paginated page the way you're used to with your Desktop Mac or PC, you should use 'Open PDF File In…' to send the document to an installed 'Printer App' like PrintCentral.
You can open any supported file format with myTexts (pro) from other Apps on your iPad - for example an mail attachment.
1. Tap on the desired file/document/attachment
2. Select 'Open In myTexts (pro)'
1. Click the 'Menu' button
2. Select 'Edit Title…'
3. Change the title
4. Click 'Done'
Hint: Comments are only available for the native myTexts (pro) file format.
GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE IDISK/TO SYNC OR NOT TO SYNC/THE CLOUD/THE IPAD/IPHONE
If you're reading this, you've of course at least two computers/devices you're working on.
Many of us have three - a Desktop Mac or PC, a MacBook or a Laptop and a device like the iPad or iPhone.
And we all try to challenge the difficulties this new way of working often entails.
One document, three versions and a lot of mess.
In a perfect world there would be only one document. In a perfect world…
The Dropbox and the iDisk are the best things that happened to us in the last years. Period.
It makes it a lot easier to manage documents and files on different devices.
But we have different devices. And those devices work different. Period.
On your iMac or Mac Pro for example, the Dropbox application (or the iDisk Sync) is always running in the background to sync your documents.
Thats why myTexts for Mac OS X can share one library on all your Macs without any hassle for example.
But on the iPad/iPhone you're right now holding in your hands it does not work that way - alas…
Once you hit the home button the App is terminated or suspended (and no, even with the upcoming iOS 4.2 it does not work that way).
Not really a change to finish an upload or a sync or to react on a dropped network, an upload error etc.
What is when there is no internet connection at all?
…
So, how to ensure a hassle-free working on different devices with the latest version of a document?
Working with the 'same' document on your Desktop Mac or PC and on your iPad is a tricky pony
and I've experimented with lots of different approaches to make this as simple and 'error' free as possible
and I've finally decided to use the solution you now find in the myTexts applications for iPad/iPhone/Mac.
myTexts touch can easily open any supported document from your Dropbox:
- thru the Dropbox application on your iPad/iPhone with all its benefits and you can upload an edited document with one single click to your Dropbox directly from within myTexts pro.
- or you can load all supported text files and documents stored on your Dropbox at once and also upload all your text files and documents on your iPad to your myTexts folder onside your Dropbox at once.
This has a lot of benefits:
- You can use the 'entire' Dropbox with myTexts and not only its 'Sandbox'.
- There are no sync conflicts and corrupted databases with all entries.
- You can use the benefits of the Dropbox or iDisk application.
- You know that you're working with the latest document - because you've decided which one is the latest document.
- You are not limited to use myTexts on the iPad/iPhone or on your Mac, you can use any application you like to work on your texts.
- You can share those documents easily with others - even when they don't have myTexts.
- You don't have to worry about errors, internet connection, is it synced or is it not synced.
- You don't kneed to sync over your Wifi connection or the USB cable.
- You can keep backups and revert to earlier versions easily.
In order to work with your Dropbox you first have 'link' myTexts with your Dropbox:
1. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Action' button and select 'Dropbox Credentials'
2. Type in your Email
3. Type in your Password
4. Click 'Log in'
How to upload a document to your Dropbox
1. In the 'Documents View' select the document you want to upload
2. Click the 'Actions' button
3. Click 'Upload To Dropbox'
Hint: Of course you first have to link myTexts with your Dropbox as described in previous chapter and please wait until the upload has successfully finished.
How to open a document from your Dropbox
1. Open the 'Dropbox' app on your iPad/iPhone
2. Select the desired file/document you want to open in myTexts
3. Click the 'Action' button
4. Select 'Open In…' myTexts
1. Open the 'Dropbox' app on your iPad
2. Select the desired file/document you want to open in myTexts pro
3. Click the 'Action' button
4. Select 'Open In…' myTexts pro
1. In the 'Documents View' select the document you want to upload
2. Click the 'Actions' button
3. Click 'Upload To Dropbox'
Hint: Of course you first have to link myTexts pro with your Dropbox as described in previous chapter and please wait until the upload has successfully finished.
1. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Actions' button
2. If you want to load all supported files and documents from your Dropbox: Click 'Load All From Dropbox'
2. If you want to upload all files and documents to your Dropbox: Click 'Upload All To Dropbox'
Hint: Of course you first have to link myTexts pro with your Dropbox as described in previous chapter and please wait until the download/upload has successfully finished.
GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE IDISK/TO SYNC OR NOT TO SYNC/THE CLOUD/THE IPAD/IPHONE
If you're reading this, you've of course at least two computers/devices you're working on.
Many of us have three - a Desktop Mac or PC, a MacBook or a Laptop and a device like the iPad or iPhone.
And we all try to challenge the difficulties this new way of working often entails.
One document, three versions and a lot of mess.
In a perfect world there would be only one document. In a perfect world…
The Dropbox and the iDisk are the best things that happened to us in the last years. Period.
It makes it a lot easier to manage documents and files on different devices.
But we have different devices. And those devices work different. Period.
On your iMac or Mac Pro for example, the Dropbox application (or the iDisk Sync) is always running in the background to sync your documents.
Thats why myTexts for Mac OS X can share one library on all your Macs without any hassle for example.
But on the iPad/iPhone you're right now holding in your hands it does not work that way - alas…
Once you hit the home button the App is terminated or suspended (and no, even with the upcoming iOS 4.2 it does not work that way).
Not really a change to finish an upload or a sync or to react on a dropped network, an upload error etc.
What is when there is no internet connection at all?
…
So, how to ensure a hassle-free working on different devices with the latest version of a document?
Working with the 'same' document on your Desktop Mac or PC and on your iPad is a tricky pony
and I've experimented with lots of different approaches to make this as simple and 'error' free as possible
and I've finally decided to use the solution you now find in the myTexts applications for iPad/iPhone/Mac.
myTexts touch can easily open any supported document from your Dropbox or iDisk
- thru the Dropbox or iDisk application on your iPad/iPhone with all its benefits and you can upload an edited document with one single click to your Dropbox or iDisk directly from within myTexts touch.
This has a lot of benefits:
- You can use the 'entire' Dropbox with myTexts and not only its 'Sandbox'.
- There are no sync conflicts and corrupted databases with all entries.
- You can use the benefits of the Dropbox or iDisk application.
- You know that you're working with the latest document - because you've decided which one is the latest document.
- You are not limited to use myTexts on the iPad/iPhone or on your Mac, you can use any application you like to work on your texts.
- You can share those documents easily with others - even when they don't have myTexts.
- You don't have to worry about errors, internet connection, is it synced or is it not synced.
- You don't kneed to sync over your Wifi connection or the USB cable.
- You can keep backups and revert to earlier versions easily.
In order to work with your iDisk you first have 'link' myTexts with your iDisk:
1. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Action' button and select 'MobileMe Credentials'
2. Type in your Member Name (not the complete Email Address!)
3. Type in your Password
4. Type in your used (and existing!) folder where you want to store uploaded documents (don't forget the leading slash!)
5. Click 'Log in'
How to upload a document to your iDisk
1. In the 'Documents View' select the document you want to upload
2. Click the 'Actions' button
3. Click 'Upload To iDisk'
Hint: Of course you first have to link myTexts with your iDisk as described in previous chapter and please wait until the upload has successfully finished.
How to open a document from your iDisk
1. Open the 'iDisk' app on your iPad/iPhone
2. Select the desired file/document you want to open in myTexts
3. Click the 'Action' button
4. Select 'Open In…' myTexts
1. Open the 'iDisk' app on your iPad
2. Select the desired file/document you want to open in myTexts pro
3. Click the 'Action' button
4. Select 'Open In…' myTexts pro
PLEASE NOTICE!
The iDisk App has a serious problem with unknown file formats. I really hope Apple will fix this as soon as possible - until they did so, you should use Simple Text Files (.txt) as your file formats to work with :-)
1. In the 'Documents View' select the document you want to upload
2. Click the 'Actions' button
3. Click 'Upload To iDisk'
Hint: Of course you first have to link myTexts pro with your iDisk as described in previous chapter and please wait until the upload has successfully finished.
With File Sharing in iTunes 9.1 (or later) you can copy files to your computer you created on your iPad with myTexts touch. You can also do the reverse of this and copy files from your computer to your iPad, to be used with myTexts touch.
For example, if you start a myTexts document on your iPad, you can easily copy it to your Mac and edit it in myTexts for Mac OS X, and then copy it back to your iPad. If you choose to import and export your documents as simple text files you can even work on your documents with TextEdit, Word, OpenOffice etc. and if you save and export them as simple text files (.txt) you can re-import them with myTexts touch on your iPad without any problems.
File Sharing requirements for myTexts touch for iPad:
Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later, or Windows XP SP3 or later
iTunes 9.1 or later
An iPad
Optional: myTexts for Mac OS X
Of course myTexts for iPad works best with myTexts for Mac OS X. Website: http://myownapp.com/myTexts
How to use File Sharing
Connect your iPad to your computer using the included Dock Connector to USB cable.
Launch iTunes 9.1 or later on your computer.
1. Select your iPad from the Devices section of iTunes.
2. Click the Apps tab and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Under the File Sharing section, you’ll find a list of apps that support File Sharing.
3. Select myTexts to view a list of the files associated with myTexts.
Further information about File Sharing can be obtained from here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4094
1. In the 'Documents View' click the 'Trash' button
2. Confirm deleting of document
In the 'Documents View' click in the 'Search' field and start to type
Sometimes one need to know how many chars or words one has already written.
1. Click the 'Menu' button
2. Click 'Statistics'
1. Make a selection in the current text
2. Click the menu button
3. Click in 'Statistics'
1. Click the 'Menu' button
2. Select 'Find…'
3. Type in your search term
> If you just want to find an occurrence of your search term - just click 'Find'
Hint: If you want to find the next occurrence of this search term, simply click the 'Menu' button and select 'Find Next'.
if you also want to replace the occurrence of your search term with a new string
4. Enable 'Search and Replace'
5. Type in the replacement string
6. Click 'Find'
Hint: If 'Find and Replace' is enabled and you hit 'Find Next' - next occurrence of search term will also be replaced.
The native myTexts (pro) file format allows to add individual notes to each document.
1. Click the 'Notes' button
2. Type your notes
3. Click the 'Done' button
In the Settings App on your iPad you can change the font/font size and the Fullscreen Theme.
The pro version has more Fullscreen Themes build-in…
Hint: 'Remember Cursor Position' is only available for the native myTexts (pro) file format.
Of course myTexts for iPad works best with myTexts for Mac OS X.
Website: http://myownapp.com/myTexts"Less is more", as minimalist architect Mies van der Rohe says. Not only is this aphorism true in architecture, it’s true in writing as well. Enter myTexts, software specifically designed with you, the writer, in mind. Unlike most word processors, myTexts stands apart from the rest with its simple to use user-friendly interface. Without the burdens of superfluous features common in other softwares, myTexts helps you get more meaning out of your words with less distraction.With myTexts, you don’t need to worry about the glitz and glamour of eye-candy filling your screen, meaning less crashes, less distractions, and less troubles; myTexts’ integrated automated environment helps you focus almost automatically on writing. Simply put, you don’t have to worry about pesky pests like windows, buttons or formats. No mess, no fuss. myTexts truly turns your Mac into a supercharged typewriter.Having trouble maintaining and locating your writings? With myTexts, there’s no need for you to worry about your documents, text files, backups, or how to regain them - myTexts takes care of it all for you! All of this is done in a self-explanatory and user-friendly way. myTexts saves your writing in the background and creates a backup at every start-up if you wish.All of your writings are just one click away at the left-hand side menu and are completely searchable. For your convenience, myTexts allows you to add tags to your documents, which, in turn, can be added to your Spotlight searches as well; thus, you will never again lose or misplace another text document.myTexts can be customized to fit your personal needs. Fonts, size, space, color or line spacing, myTexts serves to support you and your creativity. Working on a glossy display, good-looking? No worries. myTexts’ background was designed to remove the distraction of reflections created by glossy screens.No man is an island - not even the best poet. Since we write to be widely read and understood, myTexts multi-format file support makes it easy to exchange files with the outside world. myTexts inherently has read/write support to common and prevalent file formats like txt, rft, doc, docx, html, schreiben, odt and xml.Key Features● gorgeous fullscreen view● database for all entries● Markdown support (create formatted documents)● smart folders for grouping● export/print single/arranged/all● export/print with date/title/notes● preview (incl. pagination) of entries● advanced statistics | word frequency● entries are stored as single files too● customize colors | font | size | margins | etc.● auto-save ● auto-backup● iDisk | Dropbox sync● tag your texts● OpenMeta | Spotlight support● iTunes-like search● all your texts at your fingertips● apply notes to each text | entry● word count● supports .txt | .rtf | .doc | .docx | .xml | .html● dual display support● lots of more nifty featuresI love to create small, focused and easy-to-use software.
This includes extensive, friendly, and (most of all) quick support.Should you have any problems, do not hesitate to contact me!Of course feedback and reviews in the iTunes App Store are highly appreciated too.You will find the FAQ here: http://myownapp.com/support/support.htmlYou will find the manuals here: http://createlivelove.com/support/manuals/manuals.html
