The Journal Newsletter
Introduction
Welcome to the August newsletter for The Journal!
We have a new update of The Journal. Look in “The Journal News” section below for details. Plus, Susan is back with a new set of writing exercises, and I have a couple of new tips about using The Journal’s repair database function and new command line parameter.
Thank you for choosing DavidRM Software’s The Journal!
Tips & Tricks
TIP: Optimizing your Journal Volumes
The Journal includes a repair function, which:
- Finds and fixes errors in the Journal Volume database tables and indexes.
- Optimizes the tables and indexes so that they occupy the least amount of space on your hard drive, and can be accessed as quickly as possible.
The repair function is primarily used in those rare times when The Journal’s entry database gets an error. For example, if your computer (or Windows) crashes while you’re working in The Journal.
However, the repair function also has optimizing features. As you use The Journal, adding and organizing entries and categories, your Journal Volume(s) grow and can become slightly less efficient. By doing a repair, you can make sure your Journal Volume is as efficient as possible. This can make saving your entries snappier, and, if you have a *lot* of entries, can also reduce the initial start time of The Journal.
2. Click on “Repair All Journal Volumes”.
3. Click on “Repair System Database”. (Not *as* useful, but while you’re here…)
The Journal 4 Build #153 adds a new command line parameter (-v VolumeName). This parameter forces The Journal open the specified Journal Volume instead of the normal default Journal Volume.
If you have multiple Journal Volumes, this command line can make it easier to open the one you want without having to log into The Journal and choose it.
For example, let’s assume you have 2 Journal Volumes: Home and Special. Most of the time, you are in the Home Journal Volume, and this is your default. Sometimes, though, you want to open up Special and work there, maybe even at the same time as you’re in Home. You already have a desktop shortcut for The Journal, but you want to create a new shortcut that specifically opens Special. Here’s how to do that:
2. Browse to find Journal4.exe (Default path is “C:\Program Files\DavidRM Software\The Journal 4\Journal4.exe”).
3. Add the following parameters to the path (after Journal4.exe): -v “Special”
Example:
“C:\Program Files\DavidRM Software\The Journal 4\Journal4.exe” -v “Special”
4. Give the shortcut a name: The Journal [Special]
Writing Prompts
by Susan Michael
Free Writing Exercise – Write for 20 minutes using the title, “The Bubble Gum Contest”.
Poetry Exercise – Write a poem that starts at the end, moving backwards.
Prose Exercise – 1. Write a short prose story with the title, “Three Shades of White”.
2. Write a story about a character who tries to do good, goes out of his/her way to help, but in actuality sets in motion a tragic incident. i.e. a woman tries to help a lost dog by offering it water. The dog, untrusting of people changes its route, ultimately gets run over by a car.
Journaling Exercise – Write about some of your family relationships. Who is the person that most influences family connectivity?
Memoir Prompt – Were you ever in a contest or competition? What prompted you to participate? What made the experience meaningful to you?
About the author: Susan Michael currently facilitates the Tulsa Writers Cafe for the Arts & Humanities Council in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ms. Michael has also led writing & creativity workshops for children, teenagers, and adults.
Submission Information
If you would like to contribute to the “How I Use The Journal”, “Writing Exercises”, or “Tips & Tricks” sections, or would like to submit an article about journaling, writing, or another The Journal-related topic, we would love to hear from you.
Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to: support@davidrm.com
If you are submitting for a particular section, please indicate which one. Try to limit your submissions to 500-1000 words. Submissions may be edited for length and content.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, please state this in the email. Otherwise your name (but not your email) will be used in the article heading.
As always, if you have any suggestions for, or bug reports about, The Journal, please feel free to email them. Both are always welcome.