Tools of the Trade

Writing

I use Macs as my primary weapon-of-choice, from a Macbook to a couple of Minis (and a Hackintosh that shouldn’t really be mentioned), running the following superlative software:

• Scrivener by Literature & Latte, a complete writing management system that holds everything I’ve ever written in a virtual archive. So flexible and a boon to creativity.
• Writeroom by Hog Bay Software. Even though the main functionality of this program has been replicated in Scrivener, Writeroom is the ultimate for capturing quick notes and much better than any notepad.

Other equipment that has proven invaluable is:

• Alphasmart Neo. Seriously, this little machine is like having Writeroom in a notepad with a perfectly full-sized keyboard. It runs for MONTHS on one set of rechargeable AA batteries! I had one set last over a calendar year. It connects to a PC or Mac via USB and just types your writing into your WP of choice, completely independently of software by emulating a keyboard. Love it, love it, love it.
• Apple iPhone. When I had my series of Palm units, they were delightful but not really great for note-taking. The iPhone, it has to be said, is a treat when inspiration strikes and a note must be made. Either take a photo, record yourself talking or jot down something — it just works better than anything I had before.

Photography

I’ve been through a range of cameras and found some mighty machines over the years. This is my current suite of hard and software.

• Nikon D90. The dog’s bollocks for the malnourished and impoverished photographer who wants something wonderful to put in his Aston Martin, but not so shiny as to scream “OSTENTATIOUS!” In all seriousness, a great SLR with more lenses than you can shake a stick at, and I love it. In a delightfully ironic bit of synchronicity, I discover a rumour posted as I write that it’s being replaced. Not in MY gear bag, bucko!
• Adobe Photoshop CS4. Can’t live without it, can’t afford to upgrade because of the cost of the other hardware. CS5 must be wonderful.
• Wacom Bamboo Fun. So small. So white. So perfect on the Mac. So obsolete, as the website doesn’t have my (older) model. Still, all I need to do now is learn to draw.