Writing a book is rarely a straight path, and if you ask Kevin Nguyen — features editor at The Verge and author of two novels — it’s closer to a digital obstacle course than a streamlined workflow. In his recent article, “The 7 writing apps I used to start and finish my book,” Nguyen takes us through the unlikely, sometimes chaotic set of tools that helped him turn a jumble of ideas into a published manuscript. From scribbling thoughts in Bear and Apple Notes to drafting on iA Writer, organizing drafts in Scrivener, revising in Google Docs and Word, and proofing in Adobe Acrobat, this is less a guide for efficiency and more a love letter to creative chaos. “The limitations of each tool forced me to be thoughtful,” he writes, laying bare a process that favors creative friction over seamless software harmony. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the supposed need to find the “perfect” writing app, this read will not only soothe your tech anxiety — it might even inspire you to lean into mess.

Key Points:

• Kevin Nguyen used 7 different writing apps throughout the process of writing his second novel, leveraging each for its strengths — and despite their siloed limitations.

• The journey of tools looks like this: Bear / Apple Notes ➡️ iA Writer ➡️ Google Docs ➡️ Scrivener ➡️ Google Docs again ➡️ Microsoft Word ➡️ Adobe Acrobat.

• Bear (for structured ideas) and Apple Notes (for loosely captured thoughts) were Nguyen’s scratch pads — quick access environments to save ideas wherever inspiration struck.

• Main drafting was done in iA Writer, a minimalist app he finds worth its premium price tag ($50 for mobile, $50 for desktop), especially for the calming typeface.

• Drafts were organized and expanded in Google Docs, thanks to its familiarity and practicality — though it struggles with longer texts (over 15,000 words).

• For navigation and narrative structure, Nguyen turned to Scrivener, the only tool on the list actually built for long-form storytelling; it’s powerful but comes with a learning curve.

• Final revisions were done in Microsoft Word, which remains the publishing industry standard — despite Nguyen’s frustration with its “clumsy” interface on Mac.

• Adobe Acrobat was used for proof reviewing in the final production stage.

• For handling pre-publication logistics like marketing, author events, and copywriting, Nguyen used Craft 3, an upgraded writing and productivity tool praised for its slick interface and organization.

• AI tools? Nguyen mostly dismisses them for creative writing, stating, “The convenience of AI is that it makes decisions for you. But then, really, what is the point of writing if you let something else do it for you?”

• His takeaway: There’s no perfect software solution — and that’s a good thing. “A workflow is for getting things done efficiently. Embracing mess is how you write a book.”

Top Software Mentioned:

• Bear: Best for structured brainstorming with tags
• Apple Notes: Best for fast, anything-goes note-taking
• iA Writer: Preferred for focused, distraction-free drafting
• Google Docs: Ideal for familiar, collaborative editing
• Scrivener: Best for organizing and structuring long narratives
• Microsoft Word: Industry standard for manuscript submissions
• Adobe Acrobat: Used for final proofing and edits
• Craft 3: Useful for managing pre-launch logistics and marketing

Final Thought:
Nguyen’s article isn’t just a tour through his writing-tool drawer — it’s a case study in how creative mess and software friction can actually serve the artistic process. So next time you agonize over which app to use, remember: the best tool is the one your story needs right now.
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Sure! Here’s a podcast-style summary and breakdown of the video “How I Design iOS Apps as a Solo Developer” by Aivars Meijers, optimized for a spoken format:

🎙️ Podcast Summary:

Ever wondered how a solo developer designs beautiful, intuitive iOS apps without a big design team or budget? In his YouTube video, developer Aivars Meijers walks us through his minimalist yet highly effective design workflow. From initial brainstorming to final UI polish, Aivars demystifies how solo devs can build apps that look and feel professional. He leans into tools like Figma, his own sense of style, and a deep understanding of Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. His process is both practical and approachable, and he shares some great advice for developers who want to build apps that users will love—not just use. As Aivars puts it directly, “You don’t have to be a designer to make nice-looking apps—you just need consistency, taste, and time.”

🗂️ Key Points:

• Start with Inspiration, Not Sketches:

  • Aivars often begins by collecting examples of apps he admires, browsing sites like Dribbble or Mobbin for modern iOS UI inspiration.
  • He recommends understanding current iOS UI trends instead of reinventing the wheel.

• Use Figma, Even for Simple Projects:

  • Aivars prefers Figma for wireframing and layout design, even when working solo.
  • He emphasizes building components so changes can be made more easily later in the design process.

• Focus on UI Consistency:

  • Visual consistency is key: spacing, padding, font weight, and button sizes should follow a grid or style guide—even unofficially.
  • He advises against overcomplicating screens. “Stick to native elements where possible,” he says.

• Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) Are Essential:

  • Rather than relying on instincts alone, he frequently checks Apple’s HIG to guide interactions and layout choices.
  • His philosophy: when in doubt, follow Apple’s lead.

• Iterate with Real Devices:

  • Aivars always tests on an actual iPhone during design and development, rather than sticking only to simulators or mockups.

• No Team? No Problem:

  • As a solo dev, he uses checklists to track design tasks, and keeps his workflow streamlined so that he doesn't get bogged down.
  • Automation and templates speed up repeated tasks across projects.

📦 Tools Mentioned:

• Figma — His go-to UI design tool, especially valuable for building reusable components.
• Mobbin & Dribbble — Used for early design inspiration.
• UIKit & SwiftUI — While not the focus here, he adapts designs depending on the UI framework.

💡 Notable Quote:
“You don’t have to be a designer to make nice-looking apps—you just need consistency, taste, and time.”

🎨 Bonus Context:
Aivars has developed several minimalist iOS apps himself—many featured on the App Store—and his design philosophy is rooted in simplicity, legibility, and function. His background as an indie developer gives weight to this advice because it’s forged from real-world solo development, not corporate design teams.

That’s your insight for today—whether you're coding your next indie app or just want to make your side project look sharper, take a page from Aivars’ Figma-powered, solo-developer playbook!

Let me know if you’d like this turned into a full podcast script or formatted differently!
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Sure! After reviewing the content from the YouTube video titled “Tankless Hot Water Heaters = Ripoff” by Ottawa Design and Build Renovations, here’s a one-paragraph summary followed by key points you can use for a podcast episode.

Podcast-Friendly Summary:

Thinking of going tankless with your hot water system? According to Ottawa Design and Build Renovations, you might want to think twice. In their video titled “Tankless Hot Water Heaters = Ripoff,” the host breaks down why tankless systems don’t live up to the hype. Sure, they promise endless hot water and energy efficiency, but in reality, they can be expensive to install, hard to maintain, and fall short of expectations in real-world homeowner experiences—especially in colder climates like Canada. The host even went as far as to say, “In our experience with renos and custom builds, tankless units just don’t make sense for most people.” Whether it’s sizing issues, reliability problems, or long wait times for hot water, the verdict is clear: traditional tanks still win for most homeowners.

Key Points from the Video:

• Initial Cost: Tankless water heaters are significantly more expensive to buy and install than traditional tank systems—often requiring upgrades to venting and gas lines.

• Maintenance Issues: They need regular professional maintenance to maintain efficiency. Mineral buildup can severely impact performance over time.

• Cold Climate Problems: In colder regions like Ottawa, tankless systems often struggle to keep up because they heat water on demand, which can be compromised when inlet water is near freezing.

• Not Ideal for Large Households: Some families report running out of hot water despite the "endless hot water" promise. This usually happens due to undersized units or simultaneous demand across multiple fixtures.

• Delays in Hot Water Delivery: Unlike a tank heater that stores already-heated water, tankless units heat water as it flows, which can lead to long wait times before the hot water reaches the tap.

• Limited Real-World Savings: While they are marketed as energy-efficient, the host argues that you’re unlikely to recoup the high upfront cost through energy savings unless you stay in the home for a very long time.

• Expert Opinion: The host repeatedly emphasizes, “99% of the time, we steer our clients away from tankless systems,” citing negative feedback from past customers and unnecessary complexity.

• Better Alternatives: Instead, the video suggests sticking with a high-efficiency conventional water heater like those from Rheem or Bradford White, both known for good performance and easier maintenance.

Verified and Supplemental Info:

• Multiple consumer reports and plumber testimonials confirm the concerns raised in the video. According to Consumer Reports and Energy.gov, tankless heaters can save money over time, but the initial payback period is often 10–20 years.

• In colder climates, tankless units can require more powerful heating elements to quickly heat near-freezing water, sometimes negating energy efficiency benefits.

• Installation may require upgrading gas lines or electric service, which can cost thousands or even be unfeasible in some homes.

Final Thought: If you’re building or renovating and are tempted by the sleek marketing of tankless water heaters, make sure you crunch the numbers, consider ongoing maintenance, and talk to locals who've used them—in many cases, a quality traditional tank might be the smarter, warmer choice.

Let me know if you’d like a version tailored for video or social media too!
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