The Universe works in strange ways, or so it seems, unless you understand the law of attraction. Last week, I found something that I didn’t know I needed, something I had completely fogotten about, when I was looking for something else.
Last week’s Monday Musings featured several modified contour drawings I had done years ago in June of 1994. I was out of work at the time, having been laid off in the Spring. While looking for work, I was spending my spare time (I had lots of that) trying to be productive and creative.
I was searching for more contour drawings this past Tuesday when I found a dusty old three ring binder. When I opened it, I discovered printouts of some of the creative writing I was doing during that same summer. I found final character sketch drafts and final drafts of the first two scenes from a story that I had completely forgotten. The material was from the first two lessons (of eight) from WritePro, a creative writing program I bought at the beginning of August, 1994. When I saw that the final drafts were dated August 24, 1994, I understood why I abandoned the program. I started an exciting new job five days later as a project manager at Thomas Jefferson University.
All the electronic files are long gone, but I still have the original WritePro program complete with printed manuals. Since I’m serious about developing my skills as a creative writer, I decided that I wanted to finish this course. The version of WritePro that I have is an old DOS version and the OS on my desktop computer is Linux Mint. Now what?
DosBox to the rescue. DosBox is open source software that emulates an Intel X86 running MS-DOS. It was created to run old DOS games, but can also run other DOS programs like WritePro. After I installed DosBox, I fiddled with the screen resolution settings in the configuration file until I got it right. So I’ve got the 17 1/2 year old WritePro working on my desktop. Not only that, I recreated the first two lessons, making a few edits along the way and began lesson three Saturday night.
Well, I got one old MS-DOS program running, why not dig out my old copy of MaxThink 94, also an old DOS program? Got that bad boy running on Sunday morning. Would you believe I still have the excellent printed manual and an instructional cassette tape? I do. In fact I used Max to outline this post. I even figured out how to write an autoexec.bat file that gives me the choice of loading either program automatically.
It’s too soon to write an objective review of WritePro, but I will after I get deeper into the course. I loved MaxThink back in the day and once I reacquaint myself with Max, I’ll write an objective review or two. Both programs are alive and well. WritePro is available as an overpriced ($400) Java program available for Windows or Mac and MaxThink is Windows only, at a very reasonable $29.
What is MaxThink? And what was the other one you used more recently…BrainStorm?
Red.
Hi Red. I’ll answer your second question first. The developers of Brainstorm sold the rights to the program a few years back. There’s been no further development. Brainstorm is a neat program but is Windows only. I got it running under Wine, but it’s missing some important features and the text is jumpy so I don’t use it.
MaxThink is a single pane outliner and more, much more. No other outliner has ever matched the thinking tools of MaxThink. I tried the windows version a few years ago, but the 30 day trial ran out before I gave it a real workout. I still like the old DOS version better because it runs entirely from the keyboard and it’s fast. I can’t print from the program but that’s no issue at all because I can send formatted print to a file or save as ASCII.
I have to live with the big old ugly DOS screen text but I can live with that one as well.
John
I never really had all that big an issue with the DOS screen, as it is a throw back to younger days when computers were M.U.C.H. larger. And I often find the older software to be superior for its lack of bells and bows.
Glad you got it to work!
Red.
I loved MS DOS. Windows is okay, the gui interface appeals to my creative nature, but it is an incredible hog when it comes to resources. I remember when the IBM PC came with a cassette port for saving and storing data, or programs. No disk drives at all. (not that I’d want to go that far back)
I need to get another box and put Linux on it.
I’ll say one thing good about Windows and whatever they call the MAC OS these days, they forced better processors, cheap memory and provided an interface for people who didn’t understand computers.
I echo Red, what the heck is MaxThink?
Hi Mike. My first computer was a Sinclair with 1K of memory. My second one was a Radio Shack Model 100. Both of those beasts used cassette storage. My editor of choice these days is Emacs, version 23. Meece are ok for some things (like photo editing, etc) but not so swift for writing.
Have you ever read Neal Stephenson’s “In The Beginning Was the Command Line”? I loved the essay. Here’s a link to the essay with updated comments:
http://garote.bdmonkeys.net/commandline/index.html
I wrote a post on MaxThink a couple of years ago.
http://awarewriter.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/maxthink-wins-the-first-round/
That will give you a better idea of MaxThink. You could click on the link to MaxThink in today’s post as well.
John
I still like Brainstorm for projects (work). Now you have me thinking I will have to look at new toys! I have always had similar issues as you described with Brainstorm, but it still is a good product for teams. I will have to go look at MaxThink.
I find though you and I have similar hoarding tendencies. I still have all my program discs and files from my very first computer, DOS and otherwise. When asked why my only response is “you just never know when I might need them”.
Thanks for the review, I look forward to your updates.
I’m really looking forward to your objective review on WritePro. I’m using the demo now, and wondering if the whole package is worth the price. It’s been nearly impossible to find any real reviews on the product for some reason, maybe because the “New WritePro” was just released. Can’t wait to hear more!
I’m unfamiliar with both of these and look forward to your review. I was recently turned on to Scrivener and downloaded a free trial. I’m wondering if that is similar to the programs you have. The full version is only $40 so I’m thinking that it is likely something completely different.
I am unfamiliar with both as well. I did just decide to save all my old floppy disks just in case…
I will check these toys out. Maybe they will help me get my writing behind in gear?