I love Ulysses now
When I first started using Ulyssess around five years ago I found it frustrating. Not only because it was missing a few features I really wanted, but because of its custiomer service. They prompted users to give feedback and then when I'd provide it they would tell me the reasons why they couldn't do it instead of just thanking me for taking the time. So I went back to my other apps and didn't both with it for many years. Then last year I decided to try it again. Low and behold the changes I'd hoped for, better cloud sync and the ability to set goals for chapters and manuscripts with visual progress. The app also had so many great features it was even better than before. The editor, focus mode, improved markup options, and a simple, easy-to-use interface designed to be distraction free. I haven't reached out to their customer service again, but I'm hopeful that this too has improved. Bottom line: You really can't find a better writing app out there that has all the features PLUS reliability.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your kind review. We're glad to hear Ulysses has become the writing tool of your choice. Thanks for sharing this! —Alex
The Gold Standard
I have used Ulysses for over 7 years and found it to be indispensible. My only reservation is that - particularly of late - the innovation has waned with cute enhancements around the edges coming to overweigh material fixes, significantly. No doubt the enhancements are nice to have however, pinch to zoom, for example would be a material enhancement and one I'd have used repeatedly. Sure, it may require some thinking outside of the box and some heavy lifting in coding - but that is why we pay a subscription and persevere in our loyalty to the Ulysses "project."
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Response from developer
Thank you very much for your review. We really appreciate you taking the time to write one! We are so glad to hear you enjoy Ulysses this much and find it this helpful. I've also +1'd feature request for pinch to zoom in your name, so please consider your votes counted. I can't make any promises, but your feedback is highly appreciated. If you have any other questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to let us know directly: help@ulysses.app. —Alex
I’m in love with this writing app (update)
Finally, a program where I can keep my academic writing drafts and reading notes in a single uncluttered, easy-to-use environment. I love the simple markdown commands, which keep me writing without constantly having to stop to mouse over to a toolbar or open a menu window. I encountered only one problem in my initial use of the program, which was that my block quotes kept appearing center-justified and in italics after export (this is not a typical format in publications in my humanities discipline). When I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get the quotes to come out in normal font style and left-justified, I wrote to customer support for help. Within 24 hours I received clear instructions for solving the problem by changing the style sheet, and now I know how to change other formatting issues in the style sheet should they arise. ***UPDATE: I've been using the app now for a couple of years and although I'm not making any particularly high-tech use of it (I don't blog or otherwise publish online using my own markup), but it continues to serve my academic needs extremely well. It's a keeper!
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Response from developer
Thank you for your kind review. We are very happy you like writing with Ulysses. Thanks for sharing your feedback with others and supporting our work with your subscription! —Alex
Excellent Program
First time I used Ulysses the desk top version (I prefer over SAS). I use this to write fiction stories and novellas. For simple plots it's a great program. When I build complicated plots I rely on Scriviner or Storyist.
My complaint about on-line software is getting access when internet fails, as happened. I could not open the online program but the desktop version I use worked great.
For writing its great, makes it simple and easy to format a document. This might sound odd it is not feature heavy like MS Word, Scriviner or similar programs. Easy and simple layout.
I wish Ulysses would push out a desktop update in case the on line cannot be accessed. That aside I use it every day.
My complaint about on-line software is getting access when internet fails, as happened. I could not open the online program but the desktop version I use worked great.
For writing its great, makes it simple and easy to format a document. This might sound odd it is not feature heavy like MS Word, Scriviner or similar programs. Easy and simple layout.
I wish Ulysses would push out a desktop update in case the on line cannot be accessed. That aside I use it every day.
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Private and Distraction-free Writing
18 months in and Ulysses is still my go-to. It fundamentally changed how I approach my writing. I allow myself to go deeper in my emotions because I know my writings are 100% private unless I share them. That is a big deal! I also love how quickly it syncs in the cloud. I know that any notes I write on a walk on my phone will be on my desktop when I return home.
The distraction-free writing is a huge bonus. I am a designer and a writer so I am a sucker for how my writing will look on a website. That often distracts me from the craft of writing. But not with Ulysses! I can focus on writing for the sake of writing because of Markdown. And then when I am ready to think about how it will look on a website, I can still edit in Ulysses.
I tried Scrinever for a while. It felt too clunky. And was difficult to switch between devices to write because of syncing issues.
At the end of the day, a software will aide you only so far. The craft of writing is something you have to conquer with lots of practice and revision. There are no short cuts to good writing but Ulysses will aide you!
The distraction-free writing is a huge bonus. I am a designer and a writer so I am a sucker for how my writing will look on a website. That often distracts me from the craft of writing. But not with Ulysses! I can focus on writing for the sake of writing because of Markdown. And then when I am ready to think about how it will look on a website, I can still edit in Ulysses.
I tried Scrinever for a while. It felt too clunky. And was difficult to switch between devices to write because of syncing issues.
At the end of the day, a software will aide you only so far. The craft of writing is something you have to conquer with lots of practice and revision. There are no short cuts to good writing but Ulysses will aide you!
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Makes Running My Podcast and Blog So Easy!!
I was recommended to use Ulysses by a fellow youtuber friend and she raved about it. I tried it out and wow, she was so right!
I love how easy it is to keep all my writing in one area, very organized, and much faster to organize, use, and find items compared with other document programs.
I also love how it syncs with my phone. After I'm done writing a blog post, I'll often have my phone read it to me while driving to see if it sounds right and that I got the right phrasing and explanations. I can also make edits while I'm waiting at the store or picking up my kids. I don't think I'll ever use another word processor.
I love how easy it is to keep all my writing in one area, very organized, and much faster to organize, use, and find items compared with other document programs.
I also love how it syncs with my phone. After I'm done writing a blog post, I'll often have my phone read it to me while driving to see if it sounds right and that I got the right phrasing and explanations. I can also make edits while I'm waiting at the store or picking up my kids. I don't think I'll ever use another word processor.
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A brilliant app
It was a game changer for me. The universal library puts everything at your fingertips. I've been using for 4 months and my productivity has increased dramatically. The app is elegant and user friendly. Easily customisable to your preferences. It's like Apple's Notes with heaps of additional features and power. Winning!
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Response from developer
Thank you very much for taking the time to write your review — we really appreciate this! Ulysses seems to have become a valuable tool supporting your process every day. We love to hear this! It was our intention to create a distraction free environment, which lets you focus on one thing: your writing. If you have any suggestions, questions, etc, please let us know: help@ulysses.app. —Alex
A great writer's platform
I have many great things to say about Ulysses. It's a wonderful writing platform, especially for online content - and what isn't online today?
There are two features that I would love to see with Ulysses. First is the ability to directly collaborate with another users on a specific Sheet without having to first publish it to a platform like Medium. Being able to directly collaborate with an editor or friends for comments would be a great add to the product.
The other feature I would love to see is support for Windows. I often have to switch between Windows and Mac (mac my preferred) and it would be very useful for me to be able to do some Ulysses editing on my work on my Windows machine. Ulysses is also missing a critical audience who are Windows only users.
There are two features that I would love to see with Ulysses. First is the ability to directly collaborate with another users on a specific Sheet without having to first publish it to a platform like Medium. Being able to directly collaborate with an editor or friends for comments would be a great add to the product.
The other feature I would love to see is support for Windows. I often have to switch between Windows and Mac (mac my preferred) and it would be very useful for me to be able to do some Ulysses editing on my work on my Windows machine. Ulysses is also missing a critical audience who are Windows only users.
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I just want to write, not program.
I downloaded this because it claims to let you just write but I never even got to the writing before giving up. I guess if you already know how to program this may be second nature, but when I tested a sample page and tried to export it, the first line of each paragrash was indented which doesn't work when writing short sentances. After hours of looking at their support page and reading their help, trying different style sheets, it became obvious this wasn't for me. I don't want to spend hours trying to figure out how to stop it from doing somthing so simple as indenting. What happens when I write a long piece and then it exports with some weird formatting I wasn't expcting. Saving me from using the mouse once in a while doesn't justify all of the extra notes and guess work and research to do it without it.
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Long time customer... won't be renewing this app
I've been with Ulysses since the start but won't be renewing my subscription. They have taken it upon themselves to just create updates that make all of your writings out of wack - for example fonts size automatically became super large for headings. While this can be changed to "small / medium / Large" it is pretty much their directive to what these sizes mean... and they are actually still too big for me.
If you value your writing without an app developer suddenly messing it all up without your consent.. then steer away from this app. I simply don't trust that the next update more things will be out of wack.
I've been with Ulysses since the start but won't be renewing my subscription. They have taken upon themselves to just create updates that make all of your writings out of wack - for example fonts size automatically became super large for headings. While this can be changed to "small / medium / Large" it is pretty much their directive to what these sizes mean... and they are actually still too big for me.
If you value your writing without an app developer suddenly messing it all up without your consent.. then steer away from this app. I simply don't trust that the next update more things will be out of wack.
I've been with Ulysses since the start but won't be renewing my subscription. They have taken upon themselves to just create updates that make all of your writings out of wack - for example fonts size automatically became super large for headings. While this can be changed to "small / medium / Large" it is pretty much their directive to what these sizes mean... and they are actually still too big for me.
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Response from developer
We are sorry you feel that way. With Ulysses 22 we introduced a new feature, which allows users to set the sizes of their headings themselves. Since then, our default theme is D22, which displays the headings larger to make users aware of this new feature. You can easily change this behavior by either choosing a different theme or adjusting the heading size within D22. To change the default theme, go to “Ulysses Preferences...” › Markup and select a different built-in theme. Additionally, you can adjust a theme to your preferences. For more information, please take a look at our tutorial on this subject: help.ulysses.app/tutorials/themes There are also a lot of more themes to choose from on our Styles & Themes exchange: styles.ulysses.app In case you need further assistance with this, please don't hesitate to get in touch directly via help@ulysses.app —Andrea
