I wanted to make this thread so that instead of having 3 links up in the links section (did you know we have a links section? click on the regional info tab, and you'll see all the links for important threads, and also information on how many people we have active, homed, and also new to nano this year!) I can link this thread for everyone to see
The first item is twitter. Twitter has gotten really big lately, with everyone and their dog on there. Halifax has a twitter which can be found here. We've been using it to update on how many days are left, letting people know about meetings, and, I admit, to compete in a contest NaNo was holding via twitter (I didn't win, but I loved all the winning entries). If anyone has any ideas on what we can do with twitter, leave a comment!
Next is the chat room! You can find the page here. On that page it has instructions on how to register your handle, which is not completely necessary, but it helps from someone coming in and "stealing" your name. If anyone has any ideas on how to play with the chat during NaNo, leave a comment as well!
Now this next item, isn't just for Nova Scotia. I found it last year, and it definitely helped me get over a couple of word hurdles. This AMAZING site is called Dr. Wicked's Write or Die. It has different modes that range in craziness. Gentle mode has a pop up that tells you when you've stopped to keep writing. Normal mode plays several different annoying sounds when you stop. Kamikaze mode literally erases your words if you stop writing. It's a great motivator to keep those fingers going. You can set it to "finish" at a certain word goal, or after a time period. And there is also a "break" button in case nature calls during your writing. But use it carefully, cause you can only use it once per session!
If anyone has any other great NaNo tech stuff that they use, drop a comment and let us know about it!
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Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons
47,124 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 05 19
I'm on Twitter too - @AuroraLee
You can use Twitter during meet ups to 'include' those that can't make it. You can update via your laptop (of course), via txt or via phone apps if you have a smart phone.
ETA: also to pass along interesting links, either on the NaNo site or elsewhere on the web for people to view in case they missed them. (especially if it's 'elsewhere' on the web, or if they don't visit the NaNo forums very often.) Even though the people following YOU may be on the ball, the links can be re-tweeted and shared with everyone's networks.
Chat room sounds cool! We could set up times to chat before/during/after NaNo. You can also set it up during meet ups, again to 'include' those that can't make it.
Write or Die is great! I've used it when I was having difficulties. For me it's helped when I just needed motivation to keep writing instead of clicking on a different. But I found if I was really 'stuck' it wasn't as useful. I just muted the music and stared at the red screen. LOL
They are working on a Desktop Version (which I think may have a small fee attached) that should be ready before NaNo starts with lots of extra features.
Next is the chat room! You can find the page here. On that page it has instructions on how to register your handle, which is not completely necessary, but it helps from someone coming in and "stealing" your name. If anyone has any ideas on how to play with the chat during NaNo, leave a comment as well!
Now this next item, isn't just for Nova Scotia. I found it last year, and it definitely helped me get over a couple of word hurdles. This AMAZING site is called Dr. Wicked's Write or Die. It has different modes that range in craziness. Gentle mode has a pop up that tells you when you've stopped to keep writing. Normal mode plays several different annoying sounds when you stop. Kamikaze mode literally erases your words if you stop writing. It's a great motivator to keep those fingers going. You can set it to "finish" at a certain word goal, or after a time period. And there is also a "break" button in case nature calls during your writing. But use it carefully, cause you can only use it once per session!
Nano 2009: "Reclaiming the Past" ~ A Moonlight fanfic (handwriting all the way!)
http://www.aurora-lee.ca
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuroraLee
15,401 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 10 28
Hey guys! For anyone that is floating around on the forums today, I'll be in the chat room for the next little while (till at least 4:30... if no one shows up by then, well I think i might go take a nap). Come in, say hi and get to know your fellow WriMos!
----------Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons
15,401 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 08 07
(This is being cross posted from the Kick-off thread for HRM. I figured I'd put it here as well, as it is using the chatroom!)
Hey there guys! ( I think that's starting to be my catch phrase!) I just wanted to let those who can't make it to the actual meet up that I will be in the chat room for the majority of the write in! (My computer is incredibly slow, so I'll need like half an hour to get it going and to close it down! :P) When Jha does the Word Wars, I'll post them in the chat so that everyone can play along! But if you can come out, I recommend you to do so!
----------Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons
50,095 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 09 07
Now this next item, isn't just for Nova Scotia. I found it last year, and it definitely helped me get over a couple of word hurdles. This AMAZING site is called Dr. Wicked's Write or Die. It has different modes that range in craziness. Gentle mode has a pop up that tells you when you've stopped to keep writing. Normal mode plays several different annoying sounds when you stop. Kamikaze mode literally erases your words if you stop writing. It's a great motivator to keep those fingers going. You can set it to "finish" at a certain word goal, or after a time period. And there is also a "break" button in case nature calls during your writing. But use it carefully, cause you can only use it once per session!
There's a desktop version of Write or Die available for sale now. There's also a free desktop based punishment writing system that's based around Write or Die, it's called PunishPad:
http://jon.thysell.us/software/punishpad/
It's like a customizable version of Write or Die, and you can save your work after you're done!
15,401 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 04 55
Ok guys! the chat is up, I am in there now! We will be getting ready with word wars at sometime today. So come in, share with us your word counts (currently I'm sitting at 284 words :P) and get to know your fellow wrimos
----------Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons
15,401 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 05 28
Hey there guys!! Tuesdays are "official" Online days! I will be in the chat all day, as well as MSN (you can grab my email from the online word war thread, which a similar post will be going up). I hope to see everyone log in for a little bit, as we will be having word wars and such!! so come online, and get writing!!
----------Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons
37,214 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 07 40
I'm usually online these days for IM,chat, or word wars. Find me at sfwriter@msn.com. You're pretty much guaranteed to kick my butt in a word war since I'm using voice software this year, but I'll still participate! :)
Sherry
----------2002 The Y Plague~2003 One's Aspect to the Sun~2004 Operant Moon
2005 The Seventh Crow~2006 The Murder Prophet~2007 The Fifth Force
2008 Sign of The Starcase
15,401 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 09 48
Just a note (and also a bump :P ) That today is another All-Day Online Write-in! Are you behind like I am? Come in for a couple of word wars to boost your word count with our brand new spiffy word war bot! Made by our very own SWSaunders! Are you ahead? Please don't point and laugh at me! But come into the chat and share your tips with the rest of us! And start a random word war to kick the rest of us in gear!! And as usual, you can find me or Jha on MSN :D
----------Follow Halifax's NaNo twitter @ www.twitter.com/hanowrimons