The Journal

Today, I purchased a digital journalling software called DavidRM's The Journal version 5.

Over the past few months, I have been comparing some commercial, freeware & open-source journalling software: KeynoteNF, The Diary 5, wikidpad, LifeJournal3, RedNoteBook & this The Journal 5.  Among the first three, I have been using wikidpad for some time now.  Wikidpad is an open source program arranged in a wiki format where key words or titles can be cross-linked or referred to on several levels.  The interface is simple and based on plain text on an HTML structure.  It is not secure but for long term filing where the future is uncertain, the software saves in simple text or HTML format.  Although the wiki structure is quite confusing (owing to the star or multi-level linkage), it can be structured using nodes or keywords in a tree format.  However, it simple interface is its downside.  Its lack of a complete GUI in formatting and importing other files makes it cumbersome to use and structure.

Still I have managed to develop my journal extensively within wikidpad.  And seeing that the dbase structure essentially saves the entries in simple text files, I feel comfortable that I can still view and edit the information in the future even when the program ceases to be developed.

Coming across the three latter journalling softwares presented an opportunity to upgrade to a more structured and easier to use platform that can perform what essentially I have been relying on wikidpad to do.  RedNoteBook is an improvement of wikidpad due to its easier to use interface.  LifeJournal was geared more for writers and though it can be customized, its interface and graphics lent it inappropriate for professional work use.

DavidRM's The Journal presented a more complicated structure but it is that feature that precisely offered a lot of opportunities for customization.  It can be used for personal and professional work alike with a sleek interface that appeals to my personal taste.

And so begins my digital journey through another phase of my journalling endeavor.

Amusing Store Name

Amusing Store Name
Originally uploaded by ral_m

I was going through my old photos and came across this amusing or funny one.

"It was a rainy winter night in Seville. We had to dodge into this shoe store during a downpour. I found out the store's name was quite appropriate after we got out."

Narra tree in December

Narra tree in December
Originally uploaded by ral_m

Amusing how this turned out to be my most viewed picture in Flickr

Near the Louvre

Near the Louvre
Originally uploaded by ral_m

Fence Rythm by Notre Dame

Fence Rythm by Notre Dame
Originally uploaded by ral_m

Amusing how the birds are perched on the fence.

House Blend

Local arabica coffee that I buy from the supermarket. It keeps me at home, and away from the expensive coffee shops. Of course, you'll also need a 15-bar pressurized espresso maker.

One Sunday Morning at UP

I woke up Nina early on a Sunday and brought her for a stroll at UP. We passed by the Vargas Museum and saw the Museum cafe. I planned on getting coffee and cake. Instead, I brought Nina in and around the Museum. It was much better than coffee and cake. And it was non-fattening.