Freelance Writing: Simple Tips on Complicated Topics Optimizing Your Freelancing Software Package – PART 2

Choose the Right Freelancing SoftwareHey, we’re back, bringing you with the second part of our software optimization edition. If you missed the first part, you can find it here.
 
We don’t want to waste any of your time with an introduction. So let’s cut to the chase:
 
Word Processing
 
I’m sure that most of you use MS Word 2003/2007, and it is doubtless one of the best readily available solutions for word processing. This software provides great assistance, especially if, like me, you have a bad habit of typing faster than your brain, and make a lot of typos as a result. However, there is more to the usability of a word processor – how intuitive is the interface, how reliable is it, for example? There’s no doubt about the fact that this is one of the best solutions for word processing available.
 
However, I am sure that you have faced the frustration of trying to open a document with MS Word, and got a nasty gram that the file was not supported or that the file wasn’t properly decoded. For the non-tech-savvy among us, this is not a simple matter to resolve. Read the rest of this entry »

Freelance Writing: Simple Tips on Complicated Topics Optimizing Your Freelancing Software Package – PART 1

Software for Freelance Writers One of the first things you notice when you start freelancing is how much new software you accumulate on your computer. Maybe this is not the case for you, but for many freelance writers, it’s actually an important issue.

The freelancer’s computer is like the blacksmith’s anvil; we can’t work without it! That is why it is so important to keep your PC/Mac running smoothly, swiftly, and reliably, with no software glitches.
 
To optimize your computer’s functioning, you need to be able to use the best software tools. These are the ones that don’t eat up RAM, don’t take up much space on your hard drive, and are reliable without being intrusive. That is why I am offering you a list of software solutions that are currently in use by hundreds of freelance writers that we know!

These options are road tested and are sure to deliver great results. So, if you are using something else, consider switching to one of the following. This article turned out to be so massive that we are breaking it down into two installments. Read the rest of this entry »

Priceless Writing Tips Grow As a Writer with Software

Software That Will Help You to Grow As a WriterAs promised – here’s an update on useful software solutions to help you succeed with us!

Of course a lot of you use basic tools for creating your writing masterpieces. They probably include MS Word, and MS PowerPoint . These are just the standard tools that Microsoft bundles with their products.

As you probably have discovered, perhaps painfully, there are always moments when even this software can’t offer the help you need. Why? Because the MS Office package was designed for processing the information you input, and organize it for display.

It does not matter if we are discussing MS Excel or MS Word. These programs were not designed particularly to enhance your writing style or your grammar. Any corrections they suggest are based on very general information stored in their memory.

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Priceless Writing Tips Absolute “Must-Have” Software for a Freelance Writer

Useful Software for Freelance WritersI’m guessing that if you’re reading this article, you struggle sometimes with word processing tasks: opening a file, compressing a bunch of files for sending, inserting tables and graphics, etc. That’s why I’ll try to guide you through the peculiarities of several software products which you will definitely need.

First, and the most painful for our Support Department, are file compression tools. These make sending large amounts of data (more than 2-3 files) much faster and easier. The most widely used ones are WinRaR and WinZip. They offer free trial downloads for a period of several weeks.

After the 30 day trial period (which could be more, or less) you can try uninstalling the software, but you will have to pay for it. Perhaps you can afford to purchase a license. “Free” versions often include a toolbar and other add-ons you might/might not welcome.

The installation package consumes only 4-5 Mbs and is easy to install. Sometimes, it takes less than a second for the program to be installed, and the software is automatically filed in your system folder. This means many of you folks cannot even verify completed installation.

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