Category: Software

Categories
Software

A Directory of App.Net Applications

[App.net](http://alpha.app.net) seems to be really growing recently. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, there is now a directory of clients to help you make some initial choices[^f5550].

[^f5550]: I have no strong preference for any of the various ac clients, but for iOS, I strongly recommend *Netbot*, available of [iPhone](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnetbot-for-iphone-app.net%252Fid563595132%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30) and [iPad](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnetbot-for-ipad-app.net-client%252Fid563596528%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30). (Affiliate Links)

Categories
Apps Productivity Software

Folding Text Now Available in the Mac App Store

I have been using *Folding Text* for a couple of weeks now and it has become my favorite tool for shorter outlines[^fn1] and longer Markdown documents. It’s [currently available at 40% off in the Mac App Store](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffoldingtext%252Fid540003654%253Fmt%253D12%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f0743].

[^f0743]: Affiliate Link (as is the post link and the other app-related links in this post.)

[^fn1]: I still use [Omnioutliner](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fomnioutliner-pro%252Fid404647179%253Fmt%253D12%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30) for longer, more in-depth outlines

Categories
Software

A Plea to the Courts to Determine Whether or Not Software is Patentable

Dennis Crouch of Patently-O pleads with the courts to finally answer an important question:

> The result from this long history is that we still have software patents but they are hidden under the surface. They are harder to find, harder to examine, harder to understand, and thus much more problematic than they need to be. After fifty years of controversy; meandering administrative practice; and inconsistent Supreme Court decision making, it is time for the courts to take a stand and deliver the law in a way that is clear and precise. Finally answer the question Is software patentable?

For a less legalistic take, *see* [Ars Technica](http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/index/~3/JTzNygfMeII/).

*See also* [Google’s chief legal officer’s calls for software patent reform](http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/3479492/google-software-patent-reform) and [the general counsel at Rackpace saying they would “love to get rid of software patents”](http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/index/~3/FsH7juqHLJQ/).

Categories
Apps Software

Hot in Fever: Microsoft Office for iOS

Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Microsoft Office for iOS to be released in March 2013**

I am torn on this. I was kind of hoping that Office would never be released for iOS and people would simply move away from it as a *de facto* standard for documents. I guess it will be able to “track changes” on my iPad, however[^fn1].

Links related to this:

* [The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/10/3483076/office-for-ipad-ios-android-2013)

* [The Next Web](http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/10/10/microsoft-to-launch-office-2013-on-ios-and-android-in-march-2013/)

* [Mashable](http://mashable.com/2012/10/10/microsoft-office-ipad-ios-androi/)

* [iMore](http://tipb.com.feedsportal.com/c/33998/f/616881/s/2454da12/l/0L0Simore0N0Cmicrosoft0Eoffice0Emake0Eits0Eway0Eios/story01.htm)

[^fn1]: Assuming that feature is included.

Categories
Photography Software

Google Says They Will Continue to Offer Nik Software Plugins

Google’s Senior VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra:

> I also want to make something clear: we’re going to continue offering and improving Nik’s high-end tools and plug-ins. Professionals across the globe use Nik to create the perfect moment in their photographs, and we care deeply about their artistry.”

I hope this is the case, but I will probably wait a decent amount of time before buying any new Nik plugins.

Categories
Apps Software Technology

Currently Hot in my Fever – All Apple and Google Maps All the Time

Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **All Apple and Google Maps All the Time**[^fn1]

Links related to this:

* [John Gruber](http://daringfireball.net/2012/09/timing_of_apples_map_switch)

* [The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/25/3407614/apple-over-a-year-left-on-google-maps-contract-google-maps-ios-app)

* [The Next Web](http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/09/27/why-so-surveyous/)

* [AllThingsD](http://allthingsd.com/20120926/apple-google-maps-talks-crashed-over-voice-guided-directions/)

[^fn1]: The first 5 *hot* blocks are all related to Apple and Google Maps

Categories
Software

Force OCR in PDFPen Pro

Sometimes I have a PDF that has just *some* OCRed text on a page but the rest of the page has not been properly OCRed. This little bit of OCRed text prevents [PDFpen for Mac](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=httpThursday877877itunes.apple.com877us877app877pdfpenpro-for-mac877id403758325877mt?12?o?4PMartnerId?30)[^f5554] from automatically OCRing the document. PDFPen Pro allows you to force OCR, however, by

Holding COMMAND + OPTION and then selecting “OCR Document” from the “Edit” menu.

[^f5554]: Affiliate Link

Categories
Software

An iOS 6 Feature that I Really Like

From Chad Williams:

> Any media that is acquired through iTunes now has its play position synced through iCloud. Start watching a movie on one device, pick it up later on another without having to sync with iTunes.

This is awesome. Also, I really need to buy an [AppleTV](http://www.apple.com/appletv/).

Categories
Apps Internet Software

Poster – My Favorite iOS WordPress Editor – Goes Universal

[Poster](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fposter-wordpress-blog-editor%252Fid549006481%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f5818] is my favorite way to update this site. It supports Markdown, [TextExpander Touch](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=httpThursday662662itunes.apple.com662us662app662textexpander662id326180690662mt?8?o?4PMartnerId?30) text expansion and just feels good to use. I highly recommend it.

[^f5818]: Affiliate Link (as is the post link).

Categories
Software

iOS 6 Tips and Tricks

Good listing from *MacStories.*

Categories
Software

Microsoft Office 2013 Subscription Plans

I am getting close to the point where I only need to use Microsoft Word on my work laptop. I might keep an older version around, but at $100 a year subscription pricing, there is no way that will be upgrading to this latest version.

Categories
Apps Software Technology

Google Acquires Nik Software

The key asset in the deal appears to be Nik’s iOS photo app [Snapseed](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fsnapseed%252Fid439438619%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f5756]. My main concern, however, is what does this mean for the future of Nik’s professional-level plugins for Apeture and Lightroom? If Google starts killing off these plugins, today could be remembered as a very dark day for photo processing software.

[^f5756]: Affiliate Link.

Categories
Apps Internet Software

Instacast Memberships

I use [Instacast](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=httpThursday751751itunes.apple.com751us751app751instacast751id420368235751mt?8?o?4AMartnerId?30)[^aff] as my primary podcast client[^fn1], so it is a no brainer for me to sign up for one of these memberships.. My hope is that these memberships provide additional resources that allow the development of a [robust, new syncing platform](http://vemedio.com/blog/posts/333).

[^fn1]: I do [use multiple podcast clients](https://johnkiv.us/2012/07/20/making-the-best-of-the-current-ios-podcast-player-options/), but Instacast is by far my favorite

[^aff]: Affiliate Link

Categories
Photography Software Technology

Panorama Feature Coming to iPhone 4S as Part of iOS 6

An unexpected, but welcomed, surprise.

Categories
Software

Major New Revision of iTunes Coming in October

This is the news from today’s event that I am most excited about[^f4611].

[^f4611]: *See also:* [The Loop](http://feeds.loopinsight.com/~r/loopinsight/KqJb/~3/mskTB1V2WkA/), [Ars Technica](http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/index/~3/g_ii5hlsHuA/), and [Apple itself](http://www.apple.com/itunes/new-itunes/).

Categories
Apps Software

OmniOutliner for iOS Update Mentions Syncing Via Omni Sync Server

I just upgraded [OmniOutliner for iOS](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fomnioutliner%252Fid430118869%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^fn1] and the [release notes](http://d.kivus.net/BvEA) mention the ability to use Omni Sync Server to download outlines. The [Mac Version](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fomnioutliner-pro%252Fid404647179%253Fmt%253D12%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30) does not yet seem to be updated to support Omni Sync Server functionality, but I hope this iOS update is a sign that syncing will be coming to OmniOutliner soon.

[^fn1]: Affiliate Link (as are all links to apps in this post.)

Categories
Apps Software

The First App.Net Client in the App Store

The app probably will not blow people away, but there is some credit for being first.

Categories
Internet Software

Tweetbot for Mac Beta Released

You cannot add new accounts though due to [Twitter’s new API restrictions](http://www.marco.org/2012/08/16/twitter-api-changes)[^fn1].

[^fn1]: As [The Beard](http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/08/31/tweetbot-for-mac-beta/) says “Amazing that these developers are still trying to improve their apps and Twitter can’t release an update for their piece of s\#$t app.”

Categories
Software

Shawn Blanc on the Obviation of Yojimbo

One thing that he did not cover: *Yojimbo does not sync.* I need my “everything bucket” to sync across all of my computers and to be available on my iPad and iPhone. Yojimbo has no such functionality[^fn1].

[^fn1]: Yojimbo used to sync via MobileMe, however, MobileMe has been discontinued by Apple. Of course, even when MobileMe did exist, I could never get Yojimbo to sync properly with it. Yojimbo has never had stand-alone, native, iPad and/or iPhone application.

Categories
Apps Software

The New Pac-12 Network App

The Pac-12 network [released a new iPad app](http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/pac-12-now/id550252401?mt=8) that looks really impressive. I am hoping that it will prove to be a good way to catch up on some of the USC and Oregon games that we do not get on the east coast[^fn1].

[^fn1]: You do need to log in with your cable account to get access to certain video streams. I am sure that will be problematic for some folks.