Fahim has written & released WriteTrack, software designed to track writing submissions, ie articles, novels, short stories, etc to agents & editors. It's free. You can read more about it here, or download it directly from here.
Fahim is looking for feedback and feature suggestions. In non-geek speak, that means he wants to know what's wrong, what doesn't work, and what you think needs to be added or changed. You can go to his forums here to give him aforementioned feedback and feature suggestions.
Have at 'er!
[ January 15, 2006, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: quidscribis ]
Posted by cheiros do ender (Member # 8849) on :
I take it the two of you are good with computers. Would you be interesed in making an e-commerce site for me if I provide you with the design I want and a very large budget?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
He's the programmer, not me, but we're both writers, so it's convenient for him to write writing-related software. And fortunately, I don't have to nag him too much.
I've passed your request on to him. Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
cheiros do ender, sure we can discuss the e-commerce site I do engage in some Internet consultancy work and if you want to discuss this via e-mail, you can mail me at fahimf@gmail.com and we can take it from there.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
And he even listens to me sometimes. Posted by cheiros do ender (Member # 8849) on :
Thanks Fahim. I just have to go discuss some finance with my bank then I'll send you an email explaining the details.
This WriteTrack Program of yours, which I've just downloaded, is perfect for the site I have in mind. Just wondering, is it only the editors that use it or are writers able to use it to submit works?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Which means that I didn't explain it well at all.
This software is designed with writers as the end user. It can be used to keep track of the stuff they've written (short stories, novels, novellas, articles, etc.) and submitted (to agents, editors, publishing houses, etc.) It can also be used to do the actual submissions whether it's by snail mail or email.
Does that make more sense?
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
I don't have the time to wait for forum approval to be able to post over there, so I'm posting here instead:
VERY cool program. This is going to make my February 10^177 times easier.
Suggestions:
1) Installer: Quidscribis already said this, but allow user to install quicklaunch & desktop shortcuts? Also, the start menu shortcuts begin with Readme and end with the program executable, which bothers me every time a program does it. Could you re-order it so that the executable comes first?
2) Allow import/export of the information to a transferrable file? This is especially important to people like me, who use more than one computer on a regular basis. Also important for backups' sake.
3) Add project types other than Novel - e.g. Short Story, Poem, Poetry Anthology, Photo, Art, Play, etc., or make the field editable.
No bugs encountered, though! Great job, Fahim.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:3) Add project types other than Novel - e.g. Short Story, Poem, Poetry Anthology, Photo, Art, Play, etc., or make the field editable.
Read the documentation - that's all possible.
I've told him about your comment (he doesn't visit HatCrack that often), but I would still encourage you to register at his forums and post your suggestions there. It's easier for him to see feedback in one place rather than having to visit two or ten or twenty. Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
I did register - my account has been pending approval for half an hour :\.
[Edit: No, wait, there's the approval e-mail]
On second review, I see where you can define your own Project Types under the Status tab. My suggestion still stands, however, to make that field directly editable - much like Quicken/QuickBooks does it (drop down with categories, or simply type a new one).
Alternately, I'd suggest getting a technical writer to help with the documentation, as it wasn't immediately apparent from the documentation exactly how to go about editing any of those options, and that first screen is pretty intimidating. This coming from a web designer, so I'm not a complete computer imbecile - so I can only imagine what it might look like to the less computer-literate.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yeah, I told Fahim, so he visited his forum and realized that he'd turned notification for new registration off. It's fixed now.
quote: Alternately, I'd suggest getting a technical writer to help with the documentation, as it wasn't immediately apparent from the documentation exactly how to go about editing any of those options, and that first screen is pretty intimidating. This coming from a web designer, so I'm not a complete computer imbecile - so I can only imagine what it might look like to the less computer-literate.
I haven't looked at his documentation, to tell you the truth, but then, he's used this same type of icons & whatnot with other programs he's written that I've used, so I was used to it already. I'll have a poke at it and see if I can help it become easier to read. Thanks for the suggestion. Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
No problem - thank Fahim for writing the excellent program in the first place, and you for posting here about it!
Also, if you'd like someone to draft documentation, I've done a fair bit of technical writing, and can volunteer (read: free) my services, if you'd like.
Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
Thanks for the offer erosomniac I was thinking the same thing earlier today actually ... The text documentation just does not get the point across and it would be much better to have graphics with descriptions and clickable/searchable links. Of course, that would mean going HTML or using a help file format such as HLP or CHM. I've tried to stay away from making things too complicated so far but it might be time to go the help file route ...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm bumping this in the off-chance that other writers who may be interested in this software haven't seen this post yet.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
You can read more about it here, or download it directly from here. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
It's fixed now.