the move to plain text

I bought an iPad 2 at release last year and have been using it as a screenwriting/filmmaking companion ever since. The iPad coupled with Dropbox is a glorious thing. Having access to my files with me anywhere I go has really spoiled me. How did we ever do things before? I don't remember.

By "going iPad" I've had to do one thing different. Learn to appreciate the simplicity of plain text files. Honestly, I've had zero trouble dropping fancy formatted documents for plain text. Maybe simple is in my nature, but I like it. I've now converted all of my writings to plain text, shared them with Dropbox, and voila!

The nice thing about text files (besides their simplicity) is that there are numerous text editors out there. One for every mood. Almost too many.

What's really cool is that most apps support Markdown syntax for when you do need a little extra formatting. But what's really super duper cool is what Fountain can do for us plain text screenwriters. [Fountain is what used to be known as SPMD, or Screenplay Markdown].

Since it's the cool, writer-nerd thing to do lately, I've considered writing a series of blog entries for how I made the move to iPad. To discuss various apps that I use as well as how I use my iPad. It would make Steve Jobs proud. *sniff*