The Journal

June 2010
Volume 11, Issue 6

INTRODUCTION

Today, 18 June, is The Journal's 14th birthday. In "software years", this qualifies as "mature", I think. Possibly even older than me. =)

The Journal has worked on every version of Windows since Windows 95, and now works on Windows 7. A lot has changed in the software world since 1996, including The Journal. And yet, quite a bit remains the same. In The Journal, there are still category tabs, and a calendar with an entry tree automatically organized for you by date, and you can still format your text (this has always been important to me) pretty much any way you like.

I tried to find an old screen shot of The Journal 1, but I seem to have misplaced them all. That's probably just as well. It was quite ugly, in a Windows 95/Visual Basic kind of way. ;-)

This month's tips are about The Journal's default folder paths, and how to rename a Journal Volume. Plus, we have a new set of writing prompts.

Thank you for using The Journal!

Check to see if you have the most recent update of The Journal by clicking on the Help menu (in The Journal) and choosing Check for Update of The Journal.

Download the latest update of The Journal from here:

http://www.davidrm.com/download/jnl5setup.exe

Click here to see what's new in The Journal 5.

Click here for information about Upgrade Pricing.

Add-on Packages Available for The Journal

Devotional Prompts 1 & 2 - Keep a record of your reflections about God, yourself, and others!
Learn more about Devotional Prompts for The Journal.

Writing Prompts 1 - Improve your writing skills!
Learn more about Writing Prompts 1.

Writing Prompts 2 - Prose Challenges by Mike Hommel - Stretch your mind and your writing skills!!
Learn more about Writing Prompts 2.

MemoryGrabber - Start your autobiography or help your loved ones start theirs.
Learn more about MemoryGrabber for The Journal.

Steve Pavlina's Templates - 20 journaling exercises to help you discover your life purpose, assess your relationships, solve your problems, and more!
Learn more about Steve Pavlina's Templates for The Journal.

Extended Security - Do you need a higher level of security?
Learn more about Extended Security for The Journal.

To order the add-on packages for The Journal, or to order The Journal on CDROM:
1. Click on the Help menu in The Journal.
2. Choose "Upgrade The Journal".

TIPS & TRICKS

TIP: The Journal Default Folder Paths

The Journal creates a number of folders on your computer. These folders hold your Journal Volumes, user preferences, and other information.

Default Journal Volume Path

The Journal automatically creates the "My Journal" Journal Volume for you. The default location for this Journal Volume is: Documents\The Journal Volumes\5\My Journal\

If you create additional Journal Volumes, these will be created for you as sub-folders of the base Journal Volume folder:
Documents\The Journal Volumes\5\

Default Backup Path

The Journal automatically creates a folder for your backups:
Documents\The Journal Volumes\5\.Backups

I recommend that you don't change the default backup path. Instead, use the "Copy backup archive to these locations" options in Backup Settings (File menu, Maintenance sub-menu) as described in the November 2009 newsletter.

NOTE: If you are using Windows XP, instead of Windows Vista or Windows 7, change "Documents" to "My Documents".

TIP: How to Rename a Journal Volume

1. Click on the File menu, Maintenance sub-menu, and choose "Journal Volume Properties..."

2. Select the Journal Volume to rename in the list.

3. On the "General" tab, under "Name", type in the new name.

4. Click on "Apply".

5. If the Journal Volume rename is successful (the name must be a valid Windows folder name), click on "Done".

NOTE: Renaming a Journal Volume also renames its folder.

WRITING EXERCISES

Free Writing Prompt - Write for 20 minutes using the following as your starter: "Odds Are"

Journaling Prompt - Close your eyes for a minute and imagine you are a constellation in the night sky. Write about the physical sensations and the thoughts you have.

Memoir Prompt - List the friends you remember from the various stages of your life: grade school, junior high, high school, college, work.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

If you would like to contribute to the "How I Use The Journal", "Writing Exercises", or "Tips & Tricks" sections, or would like to submit an article about journaling or another The Journal-related topic, we would love to hear from you.

Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to: davidrm@davidrm.com

If you are submitting for a particulare section, please indicate which one. Try to limit your submissions to 500-1000 words. Submissions may be edited for length and content.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, please state this in the email. Otherwise your name (but not your email) will be used in the article heading.

As always, if you have any suggestions for, or bug reports about, The Journal, please feel free to email them. Both are always welcome.

Editor: David Michael (davidrm@davidrm.com)
Copyright © 2010 by David Michael.