Tip for Sermon writing with Pages

Just a quick tip for anyone using pages to write sermons or any notes while studying.

While I enjoy the "My notes feature", when it comes to sermons I write so much that I do not ever end up placing in the finished outline. Pages provides that somewhere else to place thoughts that aren't quite "note worthy" (don't want random fragments in "my notes" that produce search results that later are confusing). So I simply write it and keep moving.

This typically has two scenarios on my imac.

1. Logos is the only App in the forefront with it's workstation window maximized filling my screen. Pages runs in the background. If i have a thought I switch to pages using any preferred management app or shortcut (hot corners, quicksilver, toolbar, spaces, expose, etc). This option is a lot of mouse and keyboard work.

2. I open Logos and give it less room and find a side area or bottom area to squeeze pages into the screen parallel to Logos. This option is less attractive because it only allows minimal pages space and requires me to scroll to re-read anything I'm doing.

What I need (as those of you who have used Unbunto know) is an "always on top" option for my pages window. Sadly this didn't make the cut in OSX. This option would allow me to make a space in my Logos management panes for "My notes" - I could place pages "to size" over the "my notes" pane and viola - it looks like pages is integrated into Logos layout. Pages stays on top regardless of when I click to browse a commentary or a passage study.

Thankfully there is a free plug in for your mac that fits unobtrusively into your snow leopard navigation bars. You really wouldn't even see it if you weren't looking. Best part is it is freeware. I've started using it and it's options allow you to turn it on and off for any program (excluding finder and itunes) as you wish. It also does a few other fun options. All of this is tucked away into your "window" menu in the tool bar of every app. If the application is incompatible the options are simply not there.

Here is the link. http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/

I hope this helps some of you save your tired multi tasking minds.

A shot of the plug in at work.

Finally a screen shot of my work layout with afloat keeping my pages document "always on top".

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Comments

Wes Saad

There is a third option that wouldn't require extra software, though this option has its own disadvantages.

Just float the panels you want and arrange them on the monitor however you like, then you can fit Pages wherever you like. So you might end up with something like this:

You can save a layout with floating panels and it will remember where you placed them.

Levi Durfey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/217683#Comment_217683

David and Chris, good work! I wish you had posted before I had bought a second monitor! [:)]

Here's my modification of Chris' idea:

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/217730#Comment_217730

I must confess that I just use Spaces to create desktop space.

My main apps are set to open in a particular Space (as per screenshot), then it's just a matter of mouse click on the Dock app icon or keyboard shortcut to jump from one to another. That way I keep my desktop uncluttered. I also use clippings for intensive note-taking in Logos and then export to Word. BTW Afloat doesn't work with Word. Surprise, surprise!

EDIT. Just checked and Evernote works with Afloat, so that's brilliant!

Wes Saad

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/217730#Comment_217730

David and Chris, good work! I wish you had posted before I had bought a second monitor!

Second monitors still have much use.

Here's my modification of Chris' idea:

Good suggestion. I hadn't thought of just putting the main window next to a floated panel. That takes care of any downside to my layout.

I must confess that I just use Spaces to create desktop space.

That's the way I do it too. My screenshot was made just to provide an example. I have Logos in one space, Pages in another. Sometimes I'll float one or more panels and put it in the space with Pages, but usually they stay separate.

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/217750#Comment_217750

Hmm this is kind of cool. Mellel works with Afloat, so that's a big plus. I've got to look at floating panels more. I thought layouts needed to be fixed panel. This could change everything...and make me want a bigger monitor even more. :-)

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218465#Comment_218465

I thought layouts needed to be fixed panel.

I predict that the designers, as time goes on, will be faced with the challenge their customers using floating panels more and more.

The idea of the 'Logos' box is fine for beginners who need things laid out logically as they learn the system but the utilisation of Layouts, Spaces, and Second Monitors will quickly show that the 'Box' model is very inefficient.

Windows users are generally of a one window, one screen space mentality. Mac Users think of 'Spaces' and 'expose' as everyday tools.

I wonder though, what bugs we will uncover as more and more users start to think 'out of the box'.