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Posts with tag live writer

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Blogging, Microsoft, Shareware, Freeware

Head-to-head smackdown: Live Writer versus Ecto

Windows Live Writer

There are two fantastic options for offline blogging (that is, managing a blog without using the web-based browser interface the blogging service provides). The first is Windows Live Writer Beta, which, as the name would suggest is a Windows app, but one that's so useful it might compel Mac users to invest in Parallels Desktop just to run it. The second is Ecto, a Mac-native blog composition tool that many bloggers swear by. (Ecto also runs on Windows.)


We've tried them both recently, so we were able to pit them head to head like the Indians and the Yankees to see which one is better. As was the case with many shocked Yankees fans, the conclusion of our little challenge was surprising. So which is superior--Live Writer for Windows (pictured above) or Ecto for the Mac? You be the judge after the jump.

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Filed under: Windows, Blogging, Productivity, Freeware

Windows Live Writer Portable lets you blog on the go

Windows Live Writer Portable U3Do you use Windows Live Writer to update your blog at home, but wish you had it on the go. Of course the simplest solution is to get a laptop and carry it around with you everywhere. But if you'd rather not lug a 6 pound machine and 23 pounds of accessories in a bag, you can install Windows Live Writer to a flash drive and run it from pretty much any PC.

Microsoft doesn't officially release a portable version of Windows Live Writer, but developer Scott Kingery has stepped up to the task. With the recent release of Windows Live Writer 3 Beta, Kingery has released an updated version of his portable launcher.

Not only does thew new launcher work with the latest Microsoft beta, it also works with SanDisk's U3 launcher platform. If you've purchased a flash drive from SanDisk in the last few years, odds are it has U3 preloaded. On the down side, this means you have a few MBs less free space on the drive than advertised. On the upside, it means you have a nice little program launcher that looks something like the Windows start menu. It's not quite as customizable as the PortableApps launcher, but it'll do in a pinch.

Kingery has detailed sets of instructions for installing a portable version of Windows Live Writer on his blog, including steps for U3 users and steps for those using a non-U3 flash drive.

[via ShanKri-la]

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

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