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My favorite grammar and spelling checker is now a native OS X application. This was a nice Memorial Day surprise.
While I've owned the Windows version for several years, to use it on my Mac required me to log into the web based version on Whitesmoke's website, paste in the text, copy and paste it back when done. While it worked, it certainly wasn't an optimal experience. This is especially true since the Windows version pops up and checks automatically every time you enter a period.
With the native application, I highlight and copy the test, hit fn-F2 on my MacBook Pro and get a window with marked up text, suggestions and an analysis of my writing. Once I've made my corrections, I click "Apply" and the original text is modified. Still not perfect but much better than the web-based method.
The only problem I see so far, at least in MarsEdit (the blogging software that I use) is that once I've applied, pressing return drops the cursor about ten lines down. This isn't shown in the preview window, just in the editor.
Note that while OSX has a built-in spelling and grammar checker that works as you type in most applications. This is just one out of the many benefits of OSX vs a more widely used operating system. WhiteSmoke kicks this up a notch or three and for a very reasonable price. Since I'm already a licensed user, the "upgrade" to Whitesmoke 2010+ (which also covers me for Windows) was only $30. And yes, all the confirmation emails gave me the link to the full Windows version as well.
My only problem with WhiteSmoke is that they continually email me with offers to upgrade, or pop up windows to upgrade when I fire up my Windows XP virtual machine in Parallels. The last time I upgraded, the "upgrade" had fewer features than my old one as I'd originally purchased a bundle with addons for technical, novel, medical, legal, etc. documents. The upgrade didn't have them and wanted me to buy them again.
All in all, however, I'm a fan of WhiteSmoke and find it to be a great addition to my workflow.
While I've owned the Windows version for several years, to use it on my Mac required me to log into the web based version on Whitesmoke's website, paste in the text, copy and paste it back when done. While it worked, it certainly wasn't an optimal experience. This is especially true since the Windows version pops up and checks automatically every time you enter a period.
With the native application, I highlight and copy the test, hit fn-F2 on my MacBook Pro and get a window with marked up text, suggestions and an analysis of my writing. Once I've made my corrections, I click "Apply" and the original text is modified. Still not perfect but much better than the web-based method.
The only problem I see so far, at least in MarsEdit (the blogging software that I use) is that once I've applied, pressing return drops the cursor about ten lines down. This isn't shown in the preview window, just in the editor.
Note that while OSX has a built-in spelling and grammar checker that works as you type in most applications. This is just one out of the many benefits of OSX vs a more widely used operating system. WhiteSmoke kicks this up a notch or three and for a very reasonable price. Since I'm already a licensed user, the "upgrade" to Whitesmoke 2010+ (which also covers me for Windows) was only $30. And yes, all the confirmation emails gave me the link to the full Windows version as well.
My only problem with WhiteSmoke is that they continually email me with offers to upgrade, or pop up windows to upgrade when I fire up my Windows XP virtual machine in Parallels. The last time I upgraded, the "upgrade" had fewer features than my old one as I'd originally purchased a bundle with addons for technical, novel, medical, legal, etc. documents. The upgrade didn't have them and wanted me to buy them again.
All in all, however, I'm a fan of WhiteSmoke and find it to be a great addition to my workflow.
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