Ommwriter

RELEASE DATE UPDATE

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:40:58 +0000

In previous posts we unnecessarily and unknowingly set false expectations for the release of the new version of OmmWriter. We would like to apologize for the delay. The reason for the delay is due to technical problems we ran into with some new backgrounds images, namely Chromatherapy. We have been working together with a chromatherapy expert to develop two new backgrounds: one to promote a tranquil state of being, and the other to promote creativity. Both backgrounds adopt the use of specific color gamuts that subtly transition in the background. However, programming this to perfection has not been as easy as we first thought. The good news is that Ommwriter is almost out of QA now.

So in response to many requests we are now wary of publishing a release date, but believe that we should communicate a tentative one. If all goes well, we hope to release early-September, maybe slightly earlier if possible. Thanks again for your patience in the meantime.

AND WE’RE BACK

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:59:40 +0000

After months of intensive group practice, we are happy to say that a new version of Ommwriter is on it’s way. We have listened to your suggestions, feedback and advice and have now implemented them into a new version of Ommwriter.

In addition to some nice new features, more background images and sounds, have passed the Ommwriter test of generating peace and tranquility – and so they have been provided for you to use within the new version.

We thank you for all the positive responses, and hope that you enjoy the new version.

We also want to thank our newest team member, Chiquira, who now joins us as Ommwriter’s Online Community Manager.

We will post the release date news on our twitter page: @ommwriter

Thanks,
Ommwriter team

AND THE IPADS HAVE ARRIVED…

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:14:35 +0000

Early Monday morning the Herraizsoto family was lucky enough to welcome its newest members: two shiny iPads, flown in all the way from San Diego on the lap of Papa Rafa himself. As you can imagine, it has been a bit more difficult to stay focused in the office since their arrival. The iPads have been making their way from desk to desk, often retaining traces of previous excitement and intelligent observation in their text editors, such as, “WOW SO COOL this is what it is like to type on an iPad !!!!1 ahdklsaaLKL I thi”

For the OmmWriter team this excitement has been coupled with the realization that everything we have worked so hard to design and define up until this point is about to be completely restructured. Onscreen keyboards? Multiple orientations? File Management? Touch? Every day we are discovering more concepts and designs to completely rethink.

Needless to say we couldn’t be happier.

Any Suggestions?

Julian

Hello There!

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:03:31 +0000

It has been some time since this blog has been used for anything other than apologies and troubleshooting, something that we would certainly like to change. The truth is we’re on the brink of a new chapter in OmmWriter’s story and are too excited to keep it a secret. We feel that it is time to share the love. The new version is coming along wonderfully and our offices have been filled with more calming imagery and soothing soundscapes than ever before. Expect a few new surprises but nothing out of line with the OmmWriter philosophy. Concerning the big boys, the iPads and Windows, lets just say we are all very excited and overwhelmed (a good sign). For now we just want to start showing you a little bit of what we have been working on.

Have a listen:

http://www.herraizsotoshit.com/clients/ommwriter/songs/ommwriter_music1.mp3
http://www.herraizsotoshit.com/clients/ommwriter/songs/ommwriter_music2.mp3

What do you think?

Julian

EMAIL UH-OHS: 4/28-5/6

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:25:06 +0000

Uh-oh, did you send us an email recently? Between the dates of March 28th and April 6th? If so, we would love to have read and responded to it, but sadly we’re experiencing some server problems and it never got through. If you tried to contact us during these nine days please try again! We have fixed the abovementioned problem and would love to hear from you.

Also, big things are happening for Ommwriter at the moment and we want to share them with you. Check back at the blog for some news very, very soon. It won’t be regarding another problem, I promise. (I hope).

Julian

File Compatibility workaround with V2 Beta: “It’s all Chinese to me”

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:47:09 +0000

If you have downloaded V2 Beta of Ommwriter, you may have problems opening your Ommwriter files that were previously created using V1. We have encountered cases where the file just will not open, or in some cases, display your file with special characters, even in Chinese, literally. No, we have not implemented a Chinese translator in Ommwriter yet.

What happened?

Ommwriter V2 now uses UTF-8 to encode its saved files. Depending on your system, Ommwriter V1 may have used a different encoding. If you get gibberish text (oops) when trying to open your V1 generated files on V2, try the following.

The workaround

1. rename your file from .omm to .txt
2. open the file in TextEdit.
3. select all (+A), and copy (+C).
4. open OmmWriter V2
5. paste (+v) or right click on TextView and choose paste.
6. save the file.

Your file will now be saved as utf-8, and will show up properly in Ommwriter V2.

You should not have problems if you create, save and open files using V2.

对不起，我不是故意的.

Oriol

Beta v2 Released!

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:50:44 +0000

A month ago we released V1 of the Ommwriter Beta version. We finally got our act together and have just released Beta v2 of Ommwriter. This v2 contains bug fixes as well as a couple of new features that some of you asked for.

NEW FEATURES

1. Word Count: For all of you bloggers, journalists, for whom every word counts.

2. Auto-save. For all those undesirable moments, when Murphy’s Law kicks in. In those desperate circumstances you can now recover most of your lost work (backed up every 3 minutes). In times of need, you will find this file in “Library/OmmWriter/OmmWriterBackup.omm”

BUG FIXES

If you are technically inclined or just interested in seeing what bugs have been fixed then this list will make a lot of sense to you. Thanks Oriol.

1. Fixed bug with core i7 machines (newest iMacs) where “ffil” font (char counter) fails to load and makes OmmWriter crash at startup

2. Opening a file would not ask to save currently opened file before replacing textview contents. Fixed.

3. Error/confusion prone keyboard shortucts (like  + p) removed.

4. Removed 10.5.5 limitation, will now launch on Mac OS X 10.5.0 and beyond.

5. Script font missing a few animations at different sizes (x, r, etc.). Fixed.

6. Script font missing some characters (any two-step input char, like accented chars) when typed in between other chars. Fixed.

7. OmmWriter will now save all files as UTF-8, and will do its best to open/import files with other encodings.
NOTE ADDED 18/12: If you try to open Ommwriter files created using V1, you may get garbled text. Please check out the blog post above for the workaround.

8. Pressing minimize button twice could cause app to disappear and become unreachable. Fixed.

9. Save panel appears twice. Fixed.

10. More detailed “Save before exit” / “Open file and lose changes?” alert panels.

11. Disappearing “Save before quit?” / “Open file and lose changes?” panels when switching to another app without answering to panel question. Fixed.

12. Document scrolls back to top when opening a file.

13. Scrollbar redraw/recalc when deleting text by selection.

14. Scrollbar redraw/recalc when loading a file.

15. Tweaked insertion point to be more precise on different fonts/sizes combinations. Much better!

16. Minimized “CharAnimationLayer transparency ignored” bug on Mac OS X 10.5 by making the CALayer disappear when not in use.

17. Much better user experience when dragging the text box around the edges of the screen. Won’t get trapped as much.

18. Improved typing speed for handwritten/script font. Won’t lag behind as much.

19. “ + TAB” and then “ + Q” when OmmWriter is not in focus on an unsaved document could cause the UI to stay transparent or somewhere inbetween transitions. Fixed.

20. Fixed bug where name cropping (file extension) could occur on the “Save As…” panel.

21. Changed misspelled words attributes (greyed out words instead of red underline).

Happy and creative holidays!

Ommwriter Frequently Meditated Questions (FMQs)

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:12:12 +0000

We finally have a new section on the site with the most Frequently Meditated Question (FMQs). Here we will do our best to post the top questions received from you, and, where possible, try to give carefully meditated answers to those questions.

Just as in real life, we may not have the right answer to your question. In that case, we will reply with an honest “sorry, we don’t know”. Other times, we may need more time do our homework, and so we will say “stay tuned” or “we’re looking into it”.

We hope you have a great inspiration-filled weekend.

Ommwriter and the Mac

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:39:53 +0000

We are mostly Mac users here at Herraizsoto&co. Since the Ommwriter idea started out as an internal tool for us, we originally developed it for the Mac platform. We could generate a long list of reasons as to why we use Macs within the agency. Or we could just simply summarize it into one: we like them. Owning a Mac is like owning a Harley Davidson. You would never think about getting another one.

But now that Ommwriter is born and quickly growing up, we, as proud parents, have to learn to let go. Ommwriter is no longer just a tool for internal use for the lucky few.

OK we’re Mac-lovers. However , the original idea was also to share Ommwriter with as many people as possible so that they would also get the same benefits out of using it as we do.

Does that mean that Ommwriter will only ever be available for the Mac? Well, based on all your feedback, I guess not.

Rafa Soto

What are you writing with ommwriter?

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:00:36 +0000

Today I was curious to know what are our users using ommwriter for, so I tweeted asking what people are writing. Josh Dance, one of our followers on Twitter suggested that I posted some of the replies, so here I am broadcasting a sample of the incredibly broad variety of uses of ommwriter.

tim_nolan Character treatments, script ideas. brand stories.
pfaf a term paper about early hominid bone marrow consumption… I’m trying to finish it today.
fluffymaccoy I’m writing some notes on CMS requirements. Very boring task made bearable by ommwriter, bless you and your lovely snowy trees.
abrahamvegh Randomly started writing what could amount to a novel someday, two nights ago. It’s just to easy to write.
hyperating a few poems as they pass in and out of my head. A letter from Vincent to Theo keeps running around in my head at the same time.

Every day is more rewarding to know people are enjoying ommwriter and that we’re making some people’s life easier. Thank you all.