Notify Me about Liquid Story Binder

26 Comments for Liquid Story Binder Reveal 26 Old CommentsHide Old Comments

• Mar 4 2008 11:38am
  Michalush :) (Visitor)
  Cool! I missed it when it was offered at "Giveaway of the Day".
  Here's another chance to grab it :)
  Windows users sulking over not having Scrivener should try out LSB (or buy a Mac...)
• Mar 11 2008 12:22am
  Victor Noagbodji (Visitor)
  It's simply amazing.
• Mar 11 2008 4:23am
  Steven White (Visitor)
  Slow is normal for connection through an anon server.
  
  I dislike the 12 months licence that then requires renewal. Limited period is not mentioned on this page.
• Mar 11 2008 12:09pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Once purchased, all future upgrades are free. Your purchased license does not expire.
  
  Jesse Wall
  Black Obelisk Software
• Mar 11 2008 1:00pm
  Jimmy Redox (Visitor)
  I bought my first Mac to use Scrivener, a great program for writers but I spend time on PCs, too. I'm getting LSB to use when I'm stuck on Windows. C'mon, people! $15.95 and ALL future upgrades are free?! If you have even the slightest interest in this program how could you possibly go wrong?
• Mar 11 2008 6:16pm
  Tom B. (Visitor)
  Looks like a powerhouse! I can think of many uses, such as multimedia writing projects, organizing and storing my programming code snippets along with screen shots of what those snippets do, journals and more. Can't resist this great price, so I'm buying now even though it will be a few weeks before I have time to learn the program. Thanks!
• Sep 29 2008 10:19am
  Kelly Hamblin (Visitor)
  I've been using this program since I downloaded it from GOTD and have been hoping it would show up here so I could afford to purchase it. I was VERY happy to find it on the upcoming list this morning and can't wait until the deal day arrives. This is the most versatile application of its kind that I have found. While there are a few things I would change, I have no doubt the "authors" will get to it soon. Liquid Story Binder is constantly being upgraded and improved and I have great faith in its future.
• Oct 20 2008 4:03pm
  V K (Visitor)
  I've tried LB for a couple of weeks. It's a brilliant concept, but the human factors are a nightmare. Among just a few problems:
  *Great flexibility means great confusion - the tools are scattered illogically between different menus (and different menus in different menus).
  *Horrible documentation - the tutorials help - slightly - they will tell you how to start planners, listings, timelines, but there's almost nothing about how to use them.
  *Worse Help - more than half the things I searched for through help didn't find a reference, and the rest hit primarily (not exclusively) on trivial information that I had already figured out on myself.
  *Not WINDOWS - the program is not windows standard. You cannot go full screen, for example, by double-clicking the top window frame. The save key is F12, not Ctrl-S and so on.
  *Command line interface. Most of the best features, dossiers, timelines, outlines, are crippled by an ugly command-line interface. You cannot edit information where you're using it (in the timeline, outline, etc) but have to use the text bar at the bottom.
  There are many things LSB has done right (avoiding proprietary editor formats, for example)., but due to its shaky interface and poor documentation, I will probably not purchase the product.
• Nov 20 2008 10:19pm
  PauloQ Q (Visitor)
  I have to agree with VK Says. LsB is probably the best software I have seen, but its very hard to find how to work the brilliant tools LST have. Poor menus, help doesn't work , not intuitive , etc.
  Once you find how to work with it, it will be a dream. But the learning curve is very hard. It seems a software made by nerds, you know. They think everything is simple. A tip. LSB; hire someone who don't know the software, see for yourself the problems the person have, and then change it. Just do this. No more upgrades needed.
  BTW, you can hire me. oportunide1AThotpop.com. My first language is not even english, so you will need to understand me. Thats what you need to make a customer happier. Understand them. Me. PauloQ oportunidade1AThotpop.com
  Keep it up
• Dec 12 2008 1:15pm
  SM Payne (Visitor)
  To both of those last comments, I was originally bothered by the shortcuts, then I found out that I could configure my own hotkeys. And full screen can be shortkeyed to. Most right clicks will get you excellent context menus. I personally love the bottom editing on dossiers (my file type of choice), but truly, whatever floats your boat.
  
  If you want to reccomend to Jesse (the designer) what menus would make better sense to you, go for it. He's working on the new version as I type.
  
  I personally figured out the entire software in a day or two without referencing tutorials except the three steps (to figure out where to dump all my previous "fodder" which was builders by the way). I found it very intuitive and could not live without it.
• Jun 30 2009 6:42pm
  Bob R (Visitor)
  Does LSB have the capability to "hide" and "reveal" text (I forget the technical name the outliners use)?
  
  Also, how well does LSB handle outlining, particularly moving topics up or down?
  
  Thank you.
  
  Bob R.
• Oct 22 2009 10:01am
  Ellen Easton-Nelson (Visitor)
  I've had a horrible disaster and I need help. I bought LiveJournal writing software. I installed it on my laptop but didn't back it up by burning it to CD. Then I had to redo my laptop due to a virus. At that time, I contacted you and you gave me a link to re-download it and the key for it.
  
  OK, so that time I did burn it to CD and I had that in a bag I carry when I travel, so I didn't think more of it. Well, last week I had to restore my hard drive on the laptop again because of a virus but I didn't burn another CD because I thought it might just transfer damage to the new hard drive and besides, I thought there wasn't any need. After all, I had saved it on CD, hadn't I?
  
  Now I'm getting ready to participate in the Novel in a Month they do in November for NaNoWriMo every November. I've discovered there's no backup CD!!! I left it in the bag and I lost the bag when I went on the train to Seattle last month! I called the hotel and the train station but nobody turned it in. In a way, thank god the laptop wasn't in it because I had it in a different laptop bag but in another way, it's a disaster because I've lost the software CD!
  
  Could I please, please get another download and key? This time I swear I'll make three or four backup CD's and stash them in various places so if I lose one, at least I'll have more if the computer has to be restored again. I don't often have the money to buy things for myself because I'm raising grandkids but I splurged on this writing software from you and I loved it.
  
  I don't know what month I downloaded it but it was before the last New Year, I think. Or maybe a little after. It was when you had the special on it for $20.
• Oct 22 2009 10:04am
  Ellen Easton-Nelson (Visitor)
  I have two email addresses:
  
  grizabellla@yahoo.com
  
  grizabellla@gmail.com
  
  I use the gmail one most.
  
  I remember last time you told me to download the software again from the website and you just gave me the key to make it fully functional so I'm going to go download it again and I hope you'll give me the key again.
  
  Waiting to hear from you.
• Oct 26 2009 1:47pm
  John K. Smith (Visitor)
  I wait for the next sale of this kind by Black Obelix and then I will buy it. Many people (as I) start to buy their x-mas presents already in November.
  
  If Black Obelix would come up with a sale in November, people would probably buy more than one copy of the software to have a nice x-mas present for friends or family members.
• Jan 13 2010 4:28am
  Sam Howley (Frequent Flyer)
  Hi,
  
  The comments seem to have been cleared so I am posting this again :
  
  Users have commented on how helpful QueryCell is for people learning SQL. Here are some useful links :
  
  An introductory SQL tutorial :
  http://www.querycell.com/sqlIntro.html
  
  A Getting Started With QueryCell guide :
  http://www.querycell.com/GettingStarted.html
  
  A tutorial on using the LIKE operator to do wildcard matching :
  http://www.querycell.com/likeOperator.html
  
  Generating Test Data using QueryCell :
  http://www.querycell.com/TestData.html
  
  Coloring rows that match your criteria with QueryCell :
  http://www.querycell.com/ColorRows.html
  
  Creating SQL Insert statements so data can be moved into a database :
  http://www.querycell.com/SQLGenerator.html
  
  Cheers
  Sam Howley
  www.QueryCell.com
• Jan 7 2010 2:11am
  Gary Hawk (Visitor)
  Is it compatible with Windows 7? It doesn't say it is here, but on the software's website it says it is. Please clarify.
• Jan 7 2010 1:13pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Liquid Story Binder XE is Windows 7 compatible. Before purchasing, download Liquid Story Binder XE and give it a try.
• Jan 13 2010 12:13am
  Bob S (Visitor)
  Can you describe whether/how Liquid handles "hoisting?" Two-pane outliners allow one to place topics in the right-hand pane, body in the left-hand pane.
  
  I would like a text editing/writing tool that does "in-line" hoisting - e.g., the text beneath a heading or sub-heading can be collapsed or expanded, without leaving the main window. When a topic is collapsed, only the heading shows. When expanded, both the heading and text body are shown.
  
  Does Liquid do anything like this?
• Jan 13 2010 12:19am
  Bob S (Visitor)
  Looks like the "Outline" feature allows one to do this, as well as nesting of sub-topics.
  
  Does the Outline mode offer "full fledged" editing (e.g., fonts, highlighting, etc.) or is it limited?
  
  Thank you.
• Jan 13 2010 2:10am
  Brian W (Bright Spark)
  @Bob S, you can go to the Black Obelisk website and download a fully functional trial, play around with it for a while, and buy if you like it. You just get a product key when you buy from here that you can enter in and be good to go.
  
  This is exceptional software for writers. It does have a bit of a learning curve. Like, you actually need to read the tutorials and you will have to click through the help files a bit. I have tried quite a few other applications for writers, but this one is the most versatile and allows the most customization. You will need to develop a system that works for you, and then all the pieces will make sense, and you'll love it.
  
  I currently have LSBXE open with a Workspace that has the following: Listing (used as Table of Contents), File Listing (to access unsorted documents), the bulk of the screen occupied by a Chapter, a Planner on the right (which I use as a glossary of names--a Builder would also work for this), and a small space below that with a Gallery of images I reference (tree diagrams, character look-a-likes, etc).
  
  It's great being able to have easy access to EVERY chapter you've written in one window. Try doing that with Word and see how crazy you go. When I finished my book of 30+ chapters, I used the manuscript builder function in my Listing to create one file exportable as .doc, .rtf, .txt, or .html.
• Jan 13 2010 11:06pm
  Bob S (Visitor)
  LSB Developer - just tried the Outliner in LSB.
  
  Two things I find very peculiar:
  (a) there doesn't appear to be a "drag and drop" feature that allows one to move topics around; instead, only arrows for moving topics up/dow, right/left in the outline - is that correct?
  (b) When I moved a topic ahead of another topics (e.g., from #3 to #2), the topic moved, but not its subtopics. Is there a way to "lock" subtopics to their parents? This seems counter to what one would want and expect - how do you move an entire section - item and its children - at once?
• Jan 13 2010 11:08pm
  Bob S (Visitor)
  I like the hoisting feature that allows one to collapse/expand subtopics. Nicely implemented... I couldn't figure out what the orange symbol next to a topic signified, however.
• Jan 14 2010 12:00am
  Nico Westerdale (Bits du Jour Admin)
  Due to the overwhelming response Black Obelisk Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!
• Jan 14 2010 12:44pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Outlines allow you to color code selected items. Choose 'Color' from the Outline's 'Content' menu. To move Outline child / subtopic items, collapse the child items first using the parent plus (+) sign. Sorry no drag and drop.
• Jul 20 2010 7:00am
  Sandur Test (Visitor)
  Did the price just jump up?
  
  //Sandur
• Jul 20 2010 7:39am
  Guy Simmons (Superstar)
  @Sandur
  
  I think it has, I just chimed in to ask the same question. Discount was 60% IIRC. A bit sneaky...never seen that happen here on BDJ before.

• Jul 13 2010 8:39am
  Jim Maioriello (Frequent Flyer)

  Interesting software concept.  Is this product a workspace for organizing work developed in other programs, or is does it provide the tools for creating outlines, mindmaps, lists, plans?  Is there a hierarchy for these objects used by the program?  If so, is there a summary of that hierarchy available?
  
  This appears to be a lot of functionality and layers to the program.  Must have taken a while to develop this?  How long has it been in development?
  
  
  

• Jul 13 2010 12:30pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)

  Using many custom tools, Liquid Story Binder XE helps writers plot, plan, outline, brainstorm, organize and write.  These tools include Outlines, Checklists, Storyboards, Timelines, Mindmaps, Galleries, Playlists, Dossiers and Journals.  These tools (as well as many others) are specifically designed for Liquid Story Binder XE.

  Liquid Story Binder XE has been under development for five years.

• Jul 15 2010 1:27pm
  Louis H (Superstar)
  Very nice to find this here. I was introduced to this program via GAOTD and simply never got around to purchasing it after I had to move to a new computer. This is a great price and I will be picking up a copy next Tuesday.
  
  Nice to know it fully integrates with WordWeb, another program offered a short while back here on BitsDuJour!
• Jul 16 2010 1:23am
  Alan Carr (Visitor)
  I think this could be very useful to me, though at present I have no idea how to use it.
  
  I'm a sales copywriter, and as such I often have a heap of notes and research documents while putting together the structure and content of a salesletter, brochure etc.
  
  Can this import and export Word documents? It seemed to be trying to export an image bitmap file when I fiddled with it earlier?
  
  If it can only copy and paste such text, does it maintain true formatting, including docx files?
  
  Which, of the bewildering array of options, would you recommend for my use?
  
  Ideally what I'd like is a primary document in the middle, with notes and such down the side/s, to save constantly switching tabs or documents. I do NOT need images, yet everything I poke at seems to be offering an image gallery as much as text areas (I haven't poked much yet, as I don't have time to explore what looks like a vast program).
  
  Also, when purchasing, how many computers can I use it on? I regularly work with 3 different computers and a laptop. Is that a problem?
  
  
  Cheers,
  
  Alan
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Jul 16 2010 12:11pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)

  For importing and export, Liquid Story Binder XE uses basic RTF.  Paste content directly into Liquid Story Binder XE from your current word processor.

  I would suggest using a Builder to organize your research notes. Builders combine multiple rich text documents sorted into a single file with titles, descriptions and color indexing. Use one Builder for each project.  Use a like-named associated Chapter as your primary document.

  See this online Builder tutorial...

  http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/tutorialsxe/tutorials-builders.html

  For your own personal use, Liquid Story Binder XE may be used on as many systems as you like.  Try installing Liquid Story Binder XE on a thumb drive for portable use.

• Jul 18 2010 11:18pm
  M B (Superstar)
  Jesse, from your post above allowing LSB to be installed on multiple computers, it seems like your program may not have any DRM attached to it; is this case?
  It would be refreshing to find such a piece of software today.
• Jul 19 2010 12:53pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Liquid Story Binder XE uses a simple, hassle-free registration system.  No DRM.
• Jul 19 2010 6:26pm
  M B (Superstar)
  Jesse, I am not even sure what I might use it for but you make me want to support your effort with no DRM software.  There are way too many that have gone the limited activation method that only results in hassles for honest customers.
  
  Thank you for treating your customers as trustworthy and not like pirates waiting to steal your hard work.
• Jul 20 2010 5:33am
  S. S. (Visitor)
  Hi,
  
  is there a possibility or a plan to give your apllication a plugin api?
  In oder to expand the way one likes itself.
  
  Thank you
• Jul 20 2010 9:40am
  Wm Shore (Frequent Flyer)
  Hi, I purchased this last year but haven't gotten around to actually installing/using it yet.. (very sad, I know).. is there a portable version of this? Thanks.
• Jul 20 2010 11:16am
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  At one time, I did consider a plugin system for Liquid Story Binder XE -- something that would allow users to pick and choose features and download them separately.  In the end, I decided against it, preferring the simplicity and control of an all-in-one package.  Feature requests are welcome.
• Jul 20 2010 11:19am
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Liquid Story Binder XE can be installed on any portable device.  LSBXE will automatically adapt to drive changes, running in portable mode when required.
• Jul 20 2010 12:29pm
  Stephen Cohen (Rising Star)
  Is this the XE vesion?
• Jul 20 2010 1:16pm
  Ronald King (Frequent Flyer)

  Sorry to bring up the portable thing again, but does LSBXE only behave as a portable app if it's on a removable drive? Or does it know, or is there a way to tell it to be in 'portable mode' even though it's on a fixed disk?

  I use portable apps where possible, but they're generally in a folder on a hard drive rather than left on a USB stick. Thanks for your help, and either way, I'm buying two licenses, but I'd still like to know.

• Jul 20 2010 1:35pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)
  Yes, this is Liquid Story Binder XE.  Version 4.71.  All future upgrades are free.
• Jul 20 2010 1:44pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)

  Liquid Story Binder XE will run in portable mode if installed on any drive other than your main C:\ drive.  However, if you install LSBXE in "C:\Liquid Story Binder XE\" you can trick Liquid Story Binder XE into running in portable mode.

  In portable mode, LSBXE is self-contained and will not use the designated Windows Local Application Data folder to store its library settings.

• Jul 20 2010 1:53pm
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)

  One further note concerning portable mode...

  Liquid Story Binder XE allows you to store your LSBXE 'Library' anywhere. Your entire Library (or seperate portions of your Library) can be stored on a portable drive and accessed by a standard, non-portable LSBXE installation.  LSBXE even allows you to manually move your Library using Windows.

• Jul 20 2010 4:37pm
  M B (Superstar)
  Jesse, thanks for the great deal.  Not sure what to use it for yet, but I do want to support developers that make DRM free products.  Thanks
• Jul 20 2010 11:33pm
  Bill D (Visitor)
  For what it's worth, I purchased this SW in 2007.  I downloaded the latest version today and entered the previously purchased reg key -- SW version replies "no longer valid".
  
  Buyer beware, future upgrades are not free from this company...
• Jul 21 2010 12:00am
  Nico Westerdale (Bits du Jour Admin)
  Due to the overwhelming response Black Obelisk Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!
• Jul 21 2010 2:34am
  Joel Kens (Visitor)
  @Bill D,
  Are you sure about "future upgrades are not free"?
• Jul 21 2010 4:44am
  Merrilee Faber (Visitor)
  I can confirm that if you already have the program installed and registered, you can simply download the latest version, install and you have immediate access.  There is no need to re-enter any registration codes.
  
  See some more LSB tutorials here -> http://notenoughwords.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/liquid-story-binder-tutorial-part-1-setting-up-for-brainstorming/
• Jul 21 2010 11:13am
  Jesse Wall (Black Obelisk Software Vendor)

  Liquid Story Binder XE does indeed have a free lifetime registration policy. All upgrades and updates are free. Occasionally, due to piracy concerns, I need to change the registration system.  If your registration key fails to work because of these changes, simply email me your old key and I will supply you with a new one.

  See the LSBXE download page for quick upgrade instructions...

  http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/download.html

• Jul 21 2010 6:16pm
  Guy Simmons (Superstar)
  I just had to buy this software.
  
  1) The programmer is VERY responsive
  2) We all have a story in us...this may help mine come out <g>. It is a brilliant concept.
  3) No DRM.
  
• Jul 21 2010 11:02pm
  Bill D (Visitor)
  I sincerely apologize to everyone for stupidly stating that I could not upgrade my copy of this SW. Upon further investigation I find that my copy came from Give Away of the Day many years ago.
  
  Well, by trying to upgrade my GAOTD version I have lost my registration priveleges. This is certainly just desserts.
  
  This SW has served me well and I recommend it to everyone interested. I am embarrassed that I have been using this software and forgetting that I received it gratas from Black Obelisk many years ago via GAOTD.
  
  Mia Culpa! 
• Jul 21 2010 11:10pm
  Louis H (Superstar)
  Bill D.... that is the same time and giveaway where I first met this program. I never got around to actually purchasing the program after I changed computers last year and thus was very happy to find it offered here at a great discount.

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