Thoughts on OmmWriter Dāna II, part one.
First, I’d like to point out that I’m creating this blog entry using OmmWriter Dāna II, at the moment, [with the fourth font selected, the largest font option, the (first) chromatherapy background, music off (“Lost in Translation” movie soundtrack in the background, and keystroke sound No. 07]
So far, I can tell you that OmmWriter is a deep, thoughtful, ambitious project under the direction of “The OmmWriter Crew” out of Barcelona — though I’ve only had contact with ‘Collin.’ He’s been extremely gracious, responsive, and interested in my thoughts and feedback. I’d told him that I was going to share my thoughts on this app with everyone, but that I was specifically interested in OmmWriter Dāna II as an application for people with disabilities, pain problems, and those in recovery (of some kind).
The app is available at the OmmWriter website and through the Mac App Store. OmmWriter Dāna II is about 100MB and available at the App Store for just $4.99 USD. At the OmmWriter website however, there are both PC and Mac versions available, and you can choose your own price for the app, anything beyond four dollars.
So far, so good.
I was initially reluctant to use this app for blogging because it seemed to lack “smart quotes” (slanted ones), but it does have them, as well as several other substitutions: ‘smart’ text and links, as well as text replacement — utilizing Mac OS’ Languages & Text system preferences. OmmWriter Dāna I and II both lack formatting options, text markup (bold, italics, underline, etc.) and custom fonts, but I only have an issue with the last item.
Using this app for blog writing, I don’t want to worry about formatting, because online, it’ll all change. I don’t need to markup my writing yet — I’ll do that in the blog editor (in HTML). For blogging, I’d rather work in plain text.
I do wish that OmmWriter would allow for custom fonts, however.
The inability to change fonts in iA Writer for iPad doesn’t bother me, because the developers have chosen a clear, simple, superb, readable ‘special’ font — it fits the app beautifully. By contrast, the font options in OmmWriter aren’t pretty, and one of them isn’t very usable (clear).
My rough analysis tells me that the available OmmWriter fonts are: Helvetica, Georgia, Snell Roundhand and Bitstream Vera Sans Mono. Of these four, only Bitstream Vera Sans Mono is tolerable to me… and it’s because the leading and tracking for the fonts just isn’t set right.
This ‘issue’ might only bother graphic designers and typographers, and the OmmWriter ‘philosophy’ states that the set fonts are part of the minimalist, streamlined approach. For me, however, it just about makes me want to change apps. The chromatherapy background is making me stay at the moment; but I do hope that, in the near-future, Herraiz Soto & Co (OmmWriter creative and concept designers) allow a typographer to pick better fonts and set them properly.
Now, with that out of the way: another issue that I have with the app is its limited font sizes. The margins, width and height of the text field can be modified, but the size of text inside of the box only has four settings, from 00 to +3. The smallest size is fine (small enough), and the very largest (+3) might be fine on a netbook or notebook computer… but on my iMac, it’s too small. Sometimes I want huge text (I’m sure some will relate; don't let your mind wander about now) — large enough to read from eight feet away — because my eyes might be tired, or because I’m writing with help from someone seated farther away from the screen.
OmmWriter doesn’t accommodate.
It’s clear; OmmWriter (Dana I & II) is more lifestyle app than true “text editor” or writing tool, one suited for those fond of ‘new age’ stuff and unconventional coolness. There’s a definite feeling that I get from this app, and it’s obvious that the devs are comfortable with its style, and aren’t trying to be cool or make their program look cool (just to look it). Behind every aspect of the app there's a thought, a reason; there is purpose behind each feature and limitation… and that, I can respect.
But I’m not sure that I really like it, or agree with it… yet.
Things change, apps change — OmmWriter might very well one day be my go-to, catch-all, get-things-done writing tool.
Presently, however, it’s a toy (but a beautiful one) — a toy that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I know that it fits some people marvelously — and they’ll wonder what I’m going on about. I’m equally aware of the fact that some people will hate OmmWriter to its core, and won’t want any of the included keystroke sounds, color-shifting backgrounds, or the strange, new-age soundtrack.
Beyond the desktop application, OmmWriter may soon be available for the iPad — and I could see it working well on that platform. With less competition, a defined resolution and working space, and the iOS’ unique strengths and limitations, The OmmWriter Crew may soon drop a gem for iPad users. I’m anxiously awaiting that release… and hope that the fonts look better on the smaller screen.
I’ll have to come back to the desktop app later, to analyze it specifically as a tool for the disabled. I’d intended to just share a few thoughts about this writing tool and segue to thoughts on lucid dreams, but I got wrapped up, thinking about what is truly the most exciting least boring text editor ever made.
Part of the deviation occurred when I realized that what I had to share about lucid dreams wasn’t just for this blog. For now, I’ll say this: I think that lucid dreams are critical in the recovery process, and can offer people a perfect, cathartic release as well as a method of healing.
Lastly, I wonder… have you seen Crysis 2?!
I don't like being told this is the best sound to write to, trust us. Bings and bongs with a few tinkles thrown in is fine, if you are working on something Zen like, but ruins your concentration if you are doing a zombie script. No problem; I ripped out the Zen music files and saved them to a folder, replaced that music with gritty, dirty ambient music which sets the mood for the piece I'm working on. Piggybacked on a spell checker which replaces misspelled words right in OmmWriter. Love working on this project now!:-D
I plan to "donate" because I like the program very much for getting the down and dirty ideas going.
Posted by: LDahl | 07/06/2011 at 11:15 PM
Which is why they give you several options or even the option to have no sound. You could just use it for the chromatherapy and play your own music. You could use their music or sound effects and use the white screen option.
Posted by: Donna | 11/26/2011 at 11:01 PM
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