From time to time, we find ourselves away from our own personal computer, and so any unfinished project waits until we can return to it. But, sometimes we can pick up where we left off, especially when writing/typing, and another computer is available. When at a library, office, or visiting friends and family, and ideas come to mind, getting to use a word document program on some else’s computer is a concept that may take some time to understand, especially if a storage device, such as a memory stick is not carried for such an occasion. The only thing to remember is that some programs save a document as a file in another format type, but all can be saved as a  ProjectName.txt. When saved as a WordPad text file, almost any other type of document program can open it. Never let a different type of software program stop you. If it is a document program, it can be saved in text format; it’s just learning all the tools that are available if you plan to detail your writing. If you can wait to add columns, pictures, and other arrangement until you get back to your computer, then every computer has the letters and punctuations of a keyboard in the same arrangement, and all you really need to learn is how to save the file, and where (what drive letter for the memory card or storage device). The more you remain open to this concept, and try other software, you start noticing that they all have the same common guidelines, and it is in the features and layout that they differentiate.

    One way of  getting your newly written thought home or to the office, is by emailing it to yourself; when you use another persons computer, who uses a same service such as America Online or Yahoo, their application has a drop down list, and guest (as in guest user) can be found in the user name space. When you click upon Guest the service will then ask you to type in your own user name and password. Now you can email the file to yourself, in the form of an email, or as an attached file. There are also new services through the internet, such as Windows Live Office, where as a user, you can upload your written work to the server, and download it back onto your computer.

     To plan for such any occasion,  one may want to carry around a couple of blank memory cards, or any portable storage device. You may even be able to plan on saving a copy of you project with you, rather than try to remember where you left off. Memory sticks used in digital camera’s can also “double” as a storage device for your written project; for as long as the storage size of the card has enough space available. Several public libraries also supply blank memory cards for a nominal fee. Memory cards are just one fashion of carrying your work with you. There are also external hard drive kits, and Zip filing accessories. Each one differs in storage space.

    Once you get home, you can place the card into your computers memory slot, or buy and additional memory card reader, to open the file. From there, just copy and paste your work right into your original project. If you had actually carried your project and added onto it, you may just need to copy and replace the original and now older file, or change its name to keep it from being written over.

    Guidelines

    It is obvious that just thinking about what it takes to get a piece of a project active without your own computer, and using a different computer, with a different look or appearance, but it can be done if you keep the part that can be done down to the basics. First issue might be that you use a specific office program that won’t be installed on another, but if it is a written text using the simplest WordPad or notepad found on any type of operating system, and the editing and the “finished” look is the only variables that will have to be done at home or office. Spreadsheets and database projects are more difficult to come through, but make notes of issues you had, or thoughts you want to try can be developed in writing, or outline. Emails actually go through other services, which may be accessed by the service providers email website, which most provide.

    The biggest struggle is just developing the ability to use what you have, that can be drafted, and then uploaded when you get back. The simplest file type to save the thought is in .txt. This type of format can be uploaded and then edited on the program you have become accustomed to. Whether you do find a spreadsheet program such as Lotus, Microsoft Office or Office Works, by saving it in a Comma Separated Value means it can be uploaded on the program you have at work or home. That file type to save is.CSV.
Even database building can start on a spreadsheet, when it comes to fields and data design written out. Again, saving it in a .CSV type can be imported into your program. Publishing can be broken down into pieces, like a puzzle, with text on a pad program, and raw Photoshop files saved as .jpeg, and take home in pieces, to be uploaded; a concept of putting a puzzle together. Even the photos taken and placed in a folder of another computer, you can right-click on the picture file, and leave notes in the properties of the picture file.

    It just takes imagination and creativity, to break down pieces of a project into parts needing assembling. Writing an email in draft form, can be also done on a pad program, saved on a memory card, and opened on your home computer. Then, open the file with your common WordPad program, click on edit in the menu bar and click select all and finally copy. Then open your email program, open a new email page, click on edit, and then paste. All that is in the WordPad is now copied onto your email page, where you can edit, finish, and send.

    The common goal is not the machine you don’t have with you, but the project and thought you stored in your brain. By writing it out and saving it to the memory card, makes the file on the card more valued than the card itself. The concept is to remember is that the computer is just a workshop or kitchen. It’s the file that will eventually be a finished product, that’s the cake to be presented. That’s the product to be shown. It was just worked on in somebody else’s workshop.

    Overcoming the use of some unfamiliar computer, and settling down to just focus and write, leads to the last issue already mentioned….just focus, and write. Focusing seems to be even harder if it is not common practice to write while your away. But once you have a few lines down, you now have a “milestone” or starting point to focus on. If you can get just one paragraph down, then closing the file and getting back to it later, makes it easier to get that focus lost by unfamiliar locations and machines. Even distractions can seem to become common place and forced in the background, once the train of thought is put back into motion. The hardest part is that first line or paragraph. That first paragraph is so important, no matter if it is a personal correspondence, or for a professional and business objective. That first paragraph is supposed to catch the intent and nature of the writing, and set the tone to what will follow, until there is nothing more to type…for that period of time.

    Writing in itself is an art form, and a personal exercise, that allows a person to find a measure of expression, and describe it with detail. It should be a pleasant and meaning full exercise too. When we find no reason to exercise our ability to put our feelings on paper, then when it does become a desire to write, it is more of a project, rather than an exercise. The work to now be put into writing is harder, than just being able to focus on the nature of the correspondence, and it has little, if any, personal pleasure other than to complete it as another project on a list of things to do. Writing does not always have to have a value of importance, other than it was what was to be written, and what was on your mind at the time you started to type. The best time to start is when it holds no purpose or meaning, and make it a practice. Waiting until you feel the need, or there is a need to correspond, the basic fundamentals of writing can feel like a chore.

    With so many different machines, both in desktop, portable laptop, and net book, there are many writing programs to experiment with, and find new purposes for these tools. It is so much harder to need these tools when you never even took the time to find out what they can do. Everyone has a certain “character” when it comes to writing. Why not just sit down, and experiment with the tools to better develop and constantly improve a talent so much shortened by quick single lines, in the form of a tweet.

    “Dear Diary”, one form of just exercising the ability to write, and have no real meaning, other than to exercise and put into practice, the ability to “write at will”. Having to start with no real purpose also allows you to experiment with different writing styles, and the benefit to learning how to adapt to different situations, and still be able to write. Finding a playful measure of building themes is another exercise, and can actually be a form of passing the time, and still give it a meaningful period to soon pass. All that it takes is how you wish to work towards writing and make it part of a personal part of your life. Make a real project in the form of poetry, short story, or even limericks. So, don’t wait, even if on the go; make it a benefit to just sit down, and find a few passages to make up. If for no other reason, do it just to write.