I, too, have been searching for the ultimate writing tool and have sadly concluded, as most of you have, it doesn’t exist. And if you think about it, and apply some basic principles of software development, the ultimate writing tool for the professional writer will probably never exist. “But why?” you may ask. (and if not, read on anyway.)
Like you, I have a list of “can’t-live-withouts,” but guess what – only half of my list corresponds with yours. That’s because we each probably write for a different market/genre and have different workflows. If this forum was to receive such a list from every writer using DT, we could entertain ourselves for the next several weeks analyzing 127 proposed new features for DT.
And considering the excellent reputation the DT folks have for responding to requested new features, most of them would probably show up in DT over the next few versions – and that would be tragic. Why? Because then an excellent piece of software (the best, IMHO) will bloat itself up into another “Word.”
But I agree, having to use several different tools in our workflow (mine is DA/DT to OmniOutliner to CopyWrite) is awkward and tends to thwart our creative process with a left brain full of diverse commands and procedures. So, relative to a thriving consumer market of writers, a need (demand) certainly seems to exist, but how may it be best served (supplied).
I have been very impressed with DevonAgent and DevonThink. Each does an excellent stand-alone job for what they were designed to do, and when it comes to fitting into my workflow, they both integrate very well – as if they are the same program. “Ahah!” you may be shouting (and if not, pay attention).
Why not design a streamlined, stand-alone, writer-oriented word processor (DevonWrite?) that integrates tightly with DT? Then there would be a suite of apps for us – DA, DT and (DevonWrite?). This way DT wouldn’t have to be bogged down with writing features when most of the day you just want to post to your databases or do searches. But when it comes time for you to finally write (remember, the reason you are collecting data?), then an excellent feature rich word processor with a robust outliner would be just a click away – with the same user interface and similar icons and command logic as DA/DT. What do you think?
I would buy it in a heart beat. Would you? If we could show the DevonTech folks there is market demand for such a product… well? These talented folks seem to know how to make a good idea happen – and happen well.
Disclaimer: If this idea has already been proposed on this forum, I appologize – I’m a “newbie” and don’t know any better.