In which I celebrate the enduring power of the pencil: Because pencils are so straightforward, they’ve long been associated in my mind with the kind of focus that likes to elude me when I am working onscreen. When I need to revise a piece, I still like to print out the current draft and read… Continue reading »
Archives for Tools
The Soul of an Old Machine
I hit an unexpected and unwelcome writing hiatus this past month when my netbook stopped working. I want to say that the netbook died or that it decided to quit on me, but that would be giving it a life and a sense of being that it doesn’t deserve, much as I loved it. (And… Continue reading »
One-Hit Wonders
My smartphone can do many things. It can send and receive emails. It lets me keep track of my calendar appointments and keep up with the news. It’s a portal to my social networks. It will take pictures and play me music. It even makes phone calls. All of this is useful and good. (I… Continue reading »