Keith’s Scrivener software was the final straw that triggered my transition to Mac after having used Windows since Win95. I simply had to use Scrivener for my writing. Thus, for me, Keith’s inexpensive and affordable software was accompanied by purchases of an iMac, MacBook Pro, as well new printers and a scanner since Leopard wouldn’t play with my existing peripherals.
All is well. I’m now a card-waving Apple fanboy, however, Apple’s insistence on removing the matte, anti-glare option from its line of computers (bar the 17" MacBook Pro) could be the thing that outweights even Scrivener’s brilliance. You see, I write for many hours each day sometimes 16 hours starring constantly at the screen. I simply cannot tolerate these glossy screens, in certain unavoidable lighting conditions. My eyes are susceptible to eyestrain.
I know this forum is populated by writers, and I imagine a portion of you (not all, of course) struggle with using Apple’s new glossy screens for extended hours – under certain lighting conditions. (For instance, in a room where the windows can be perpendicular to the glossy screen, and not behind, the glossy screens are actually wonderful, I find).
Things are fine at the moment while my matte iMac and MacBook Pro’s live on, nevertheless I anticipate the day will come when these workhorses must die, and not even Scrivener’s brilliance can force me to use a gloss screen in lighting conditions where reflections are unavoidable. Which all means that I am now hesitant to create data in Scrivener’s file format, if these cannot be readily transported to Windows later on when I have to look elsewhere for matte screens.
If you detest glossy screens, can I suggest you leave comments at a website that is solely focused on the topic of registering a protest against Apple’s decision to remove the matte option. http://macmatte.wordpress.com
Subject to Keith’s approval, I suggest that any anti-gloss comments be created on that website, rather than this literatureandlatte forum – for the reason that there is a need to consolidate anti-gloss comments to bring focus to the depth of sentiment. Right now, there’s a tendency for matte-supporters to state their views randomly on whatever forum they happen to find themselves at. As such, there is no consolidation of viewpoints to act as a focused voice to Apple.
Sure, please also give feedback to Apple as well – as I and most of us have already done – but Apple already knows there are people who want matte screens, and has taken the corporate decision that they can ignore our needs. Hence, the benefit of consolidating pro-matte comments on a single, focused website to emphasise the depth of sentiment.
The website, once again, is http://macmatte.wordpress.com
In closing, no one is claiming that matte is superior to gloss. Rather, we simply want Apple to offer the option for those who prefer matte, even if they have to pay extra.
Given the benefit of consolidating comments on one website, if there are substantial number of pro-matte comments that are instead entered at the literatureandlatte website – since some souls are wont to just “conveniently” enter comments where they are, rather than clicking on links – with Keith’s consent, I propose to copy those pro-matte comments to the MacMatte website at http://macmatte.wordpress.com
Keith, for the greater good, are you ok with that approach?