Hey folks! This page is my old Computer Programs info page. The information here is 2+ years old, written just as I was getting off the PC and getting on to the Mac. The details for these programs were still fresh in my mind. Now, not so much. But I still get hits on these search terms, so I haven’t gotten rid of it completely. Consider this an archived for the way-back machine!
~Steph, Jan 2011
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It looks like I get a lot of hits on the webpage about Liquid Story Binder, so it’s probably wise to include a page regarding the program, just so no one has to hunt around to find out my thoughts on it. (If you’re here for my thoughts – just as likely you’ve clicked some random button sequence, have found yourself inexplicably here, and wondered what’s the fastest way out.)
Liquid Story Binder is the holy grail of writing programs for any Window’s user. It has so much to offer, so many ways to customize it, that one is literally spoilt for choice, if I may indulge in a cliche.
The beauty of the program is that it is as detailed, or as minimalistic, as you wish it to be. Do you just want something where you can hammer away at your story in a full-screen, distraction-less environment? Liquid Story Binder can do it for you. Do you want to have your story mapped out more exactly than the Toronto Subway system, with time lines and picture galleries and outliner aids? Liquid Story Binder has that, too. It also has a neat feature called a Builder, where you can create your story scene-by-scene and let the Builder sew it together for you once you’ve finished moving around the pieces. If you want to have a separate color scheme, background image and playlist for every piece your working on, you can do that, too. I would recommend no other writing program for the PC, save for one (the reasons of which will become apparent soon).
My problem with it? I’m a fiddler. Give me a toy, especially one as constantly updated by user-feedback that Liquid Story Binder is, and I play with it. Play with it to the point that I’ll stop using it for what it’s really intended – writing. I would always think, “is there another way to do this? How does this feature work?” In a way, there are too many options to choose from.
So I switched to PageFour, a streamlined, simplified writing program (often described as the Window’s version of Scrivener). And streamlined it is. If you need a no distraction, mostly toy-free writing environment that lets you organize files in nested folders, this is the program for you.
I’d even put it this way:
Computer savy, with hardcore nerdiness and a customization streak? Go Liquid Story Binder.
Slightly less tech-literate, but find Word and it’s competitors too bulky to handle big fiction? Go PageFour.
Nothing wrong with either approach – I used and enjoyed both. I did sometimes get glitches trying to move between programs, but they were few and far between. Liquid Story Binder goes through regular updates, so make sure to back up your files just as regularly if you want the latest toys that get added without the risk of Something Going Wrong (TM). And I have to plug the designer, who has done a terrific job of interacting with his customers when it comes to adding new features and fixing bugs.
In the end, though, I cheated. I switched to a Mac and bought Scrivener. In my experience, it’s the middle child, offering the simple interface of PageFour coupled with many of the more robust features of Liquid Story Binder. Honestly, if you have a Mac, ignore any of the other competitors – Scrivener does it better for less. Although, I guess you can say I spent $1400 to buy a $40 program.
Worth every penny though.
Especially when you factor in a host of other excellent Mac programs I can’t live without now, like Journler, Books, FreeMind, Quicksilver — Uh, am I going on? Yeah, I thought so. *grin*
Hi,
Thank you for the great quality of your blog, every time i come here, i’m amazed.
black hattitude.
Actually, FreeMind is available for Windows and Linux too, and both platforms also have clones of Quicksilver (Launchy, Gnome-Do,…).
I really should update this, separate out Mac from PC. :}
I am thinking about switching from PC to Mac for Scrivener. This is the best, most comprehensive review I have seen so far. Thank you!
Thanks!
Now, I should add (and update) that this review is from two years ago. I imagine Liquid Story Binder has changed by leaps and bounds. It’s really the kind of program, IMO, that would benefit from having a big-ass screen to have all the bobs and bits in one big workspace.
I’ve used LSB for about 2 years, through all its updates. Like any software, it has its quirks, some of which are really frustrating. But having spent the last week trying to make Scrivener for Windows (still in Beta, so I understand there will be more features when the full version comes out) do anywhere near the customization I get with LSB, I think I’ll gladly take its quirks. I hear Scrivener on the OS it was intended for – Mac – is unbeatable. But so far, at least, I’ll keep my LSB for Windows.
Agreed. Out of all the Windows programs I tried, LSB was certainly my favorite. And, bonus, as I recall the developer was incredibly forthcoming and friendly on his mailing list with help, tips and feature requests. Don’t blame you for holding off on the Scrivener’s Beta, either. I wouldn’t want to be beta-testing a program like that while also under pressure to produce 50,000 words in 30 days.
And hi!
I’ve got to say, this is a great post and a great blog alltogether. wty1d8
Love your site man keep up the good work
Woot! Thank ye.
There is scrivener for Windows now too. FAil!!
Of course it is now. (In Beta, anyways.) I wrote that original article about two years ago, which is why I moved it over to “What I Used Back Then.” Over in “Computer Programs” I do mention the new Scrivener for Windows. And I talk it up to my PC buddies every chance I get.
But you make a good point. I should edit the page to make it clearer that this is an old entry kept up because I keep getting searches for it.
Like your review. Don’t like it when people can’t read dates. UGH! Anyway, I’m wondering if you’ve checked out newest edition of Scrivener for windows since the release, and if you’d do a comparison between it and latest LSB XE? Also, do you know if there is a huge difference between the mac and windows versions of scrivener? I’m actually going to download both (in a few minutes), but recently, I’ve tried others as well (one of which I actually like). I hope to make my final decision after trying these two. Whew! Unfortunately, I’m also a fiddler (more of a tinkerer), so all of this testing is REALLY keeping me from actually writing.
Beware endless feature experimenting. You’re right, it can keep you from writing. But truth is, anything can, and if you find a tool it’s in your best interest to determine, ruthlessly, how it works and whether it will work for you. No sense yoking yourself to a method or tool that hinders instead of helps. Just don’t let it consume all your time.
I haven’t been back to a Window’s environment in about three years, so I couldn’t give you an honest comparison between the new Windows Scrivener and LSB. There are a couple members of the writing group I belong to that are PC users and have been using the Beta Scrivener for Windows this past year. While they were frustrated at times with the bugginess (it was a Beta), there was enough there to keep them using the program. None of them have tried LSB, but that might be because they haven’t heard of it. Certainly I’m no longer evangelizing it.
There are not-insignificant differences between the Windows and Mac versions of OSX. Not enough, if I was still on a PC, to stop me from using it. The major features I wanted out of Scrivener are all there in the Windows release, and as time marches on, I don’t doubt that the two versions will harmonize. For a detailed comparison, I’m betting you could find good advice from users over on message boards like Absolute Write or NaNoWriMo. Better than my now-fuzzy recollections and second-hand tales, anyways.
Thank you for your response! From what I’m reading so far, both Scrivener versions seem to be pretty similar at this point. But you’re right… I’m sure they will be virtually the same (or super close) program before too long. However, I will have to sell a few books before I’ll be able to try out Scrivener on a mac. Ahhh… to dream!
You are so right about distractions, but testing is paramount. After being re-inspired, I decided to continue writing two books that I started YEARS ago. I knew I needed something, so the hunt began. Since I’m pretty much starting over, I figured this would be a great time to try several programs, and I’m happy that I did. It has definitely been a productive learning experience.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors!