The Journal Newsletter
Introduction
I hope everyone had a happy St. Valentines Day. =)
The Journal’s Web page got a makeover in the past few weeks. Feel free to drop by and look it over. My thanks to Beth Gardner of Show Presence Design for her help with the new Web page.
This month’s tips explore using The Journal over a network and options for sharing categories between users. Plus, we have a new set of writing prompts.
Thank you for choosing The Journal!
Tips & Tricks
TIP: How to Use The Journal on a Network
The Journal can have its Journal Volume(s) on a shared or network folder, allowing multiple users to access those Journal Volume(s) at the same time. To do this, though, The Journal must be installed properly.
1. When you install The Journal, on the “Select Additional Tasks” page of the install wizard, you need to check this option: “The Journal’s database will be in a shared or network folder”
2. You will be prompted to specify the shared/network folder to use.
3. You will have to do this on each of the computers or workstations that will be using The Journal over the network.
4. If the users will be accessing or updating the same categories and entries simultaneously:Once you have The Journal installed, you’ll want to have set categories to use the “Lock Entries on Edit” option (on the “Sharing” tab of Category Properties). (See the next tip.)
TIP: Category Sharing Option – Lock Entries on Edit
Users of The Journal have long had the option to share categories, as described in February 2003 newsletter: “Using Shared Categories”.
Since then, a couple new options have been added to make sharing categories even more useful by providing a simple means of coordinating simultaneous access and updating of entries. These options are in“Category Properties”, on the “Sharing” tab.
Lock Entries on Edit
If “Lock Entries on Edit” is checked, when a user edits an entry, that entry will be locked, preventing other users from editing the entry at the same time. Other users can still view the entry, but they are prevented from editing it. When the user leaves the entry, this lock will be removed.
If you are using The Journal over a network and/or sharing categories between users, and there is a possibility that multiple users will be accessing and updating the entries of this category at the same time, you will want to have this option checked.
Prompt for Lock Message
When “Prompt for Lock Message” is checked, all entries in the category are “Read Only” by default, and you must use Entry | Edit Entry (hot-key: F4) and enter a lock message. This lock message is displayed to any other users who attempt to edit the entry.
Use this option along with “Lock Entries on Edit” to further coordinate your editing with other users. Press F4 to lock the entry so you can edit it. When you want to relinquish the lock on the entry, so another user can edit it, simply hit F4 again.
Writing Prompts
Free Writing Prompt – Write for 20 minutes using the following as your starter: “Scaling the Walls”
Journaling Prompt – Pick a decision you’ve been considering (or putting off). Describe the worst possible outcome you can imagine. Now describe the best possible outcome you can imagine. Which outcome did you give the most detail? Which outcome seemed the most improbable?
Memoir Prompt – Is your luggage better traveled than you are? I once flew to Australia while my luggage flew to England. Write about the humorous (at least in retrospect) mishaps that have occurred in your own travels.
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, writing, or another The Journal-related topic, we would love to hear from you.
Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to: support@davidrm.com
If you are submitting for a particular 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.