Test drive

I’ve just installed Windows Live Writer. I’m not keen on Windows Live but that’s probably because it made my last computer crash. I have a feeling I’ll be playing with this program for a while, so produce entries with OTT formats and

flamboyance extraOrdinaire

until I’m worn out by the novelty of it all.

I wonder why installing new software makes me so bad-tempered.

I was looking for a way to add links to the sidebar on my blog when I found the Writer program. The instructions for links defeated me – I am doomed to have the appearance of a neonate.*

Re: Live Writer - I quite like having more ‘room’, having more page on view, as I write (but what I’d really like is to have back the add-in/add-on/whatever-it’s-called for Word that used to be available).

I see I’ll have to go into battle with Microsoft over defaults, yet again. I realise they’re probably a godsend for people who aren’t used to formatting, but they drive me wild. (Mr Microsoft, I do not want to type using Georgia 12pt; and I am perfectly capable of creating a line space between paragraphs. (And, while on the subject, could you do something to curb your obsession with lists?)) I dread to think what the Dreaded Default will attempt to achieve on the spelling and grammar front.

I do like being able to write offline.  In theory, I should be able to write entries from wherever I please, and without the distraction of the web at my elbow.  (Now I fear the discovery that I have become dependant on distraction – that my attention span has devolved to that of a goldfish.) 

The word count is a little dispiriting, however. You write for a while; stare out the window, watching the shadows of people walking (running, trudging) up and down the steps to the flats above; remove the cat from your desk; make another pot of tea; let it brew; write some more; pour tea; sip it; remove the cat from your desk; wonder why so many people are visiting upstairs, given the vacuum cleaner has been whining non-stop for the last two hours; write some more; remove the cat from your desk; remove the cat from your desk; remove the cat from your desk; pour another cup of tea;  reply to a text message;  remove the cat from your desk; write like blazes; make lunch; eat lunch; remove the cat from your desk; and find the whole morning was devoted to producing less than 500 words.

 

*I changed my template, and, suddenly, it is easy to don blog-svelte – currently belied by appearances.