Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
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From: salter@netcom.com (David Ian Salter)
Subject: Re: Story software in MacUser
Message-ID: <salterC6zHsC.Dq4@netcom.com>
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Date: Thu, 13 May 1993 21:16:58 GMT
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Jorn Barger (jorn@chinet.chinet.com) wrote:
> I figure I better write this up while it's still on the newstands-- the 
> June MacUser has a side-by-side of four creative-plotting software tools.  
> (They say ads for these are proliferating in Writer's Digest-- and three of 
> the four sell for $3-400!)

> "Plots Unlimited" claims a database of thousands of plot twists, but the 

> "Collaborator II" asks 70 questions to help you focus your ideas, including 

> "StoryLine" is based around an analysis of "22 steps" most of which (17? 

I also have had an interest in so-called intelligent word processors, so
I picked up a copy of the original COLLABORATOR a few years ago.  Even
at the student price it was expensive.

After using it for a while, I feel qualified to say this::

	COLLABORATOR sucks.  Don't waste your money.  All of these
	programs that claim to assist the creative process are 
	complete scams.  There is no shortcut to artistic success.
	Either you've got the talent or you don't.  

P.S. Anyone want to buy my copy of COLLABORATOR?

P.P.S. What does any of this have to do with interactive fiction?
-- 
David Ian Salter			** See you at Worldcon **
salter@netcom.com
Los Angeles (Hollywood), CA (but Boston born-and-bred)

