GUEST BLOG POST by Sam Lytle
In the market for a solid eJournal for your computer or mobile device? If you have taken the time to look around, you may have been a little overwhelmed at all of the different options and the features that they advertise.
“This journal has just under a million fonts!”
“This diary will make you more attractive!”
“This app shoots out sparkles when you write a week in a row!”
...or something like that.
Well, not only am I here to clear up all of that confusion, but also to inform you that all features are not created equally. Basically they can be separated into three different categories in this fairly self explanatory list:
1: Essential Features
2: Features that Matter
3: Features that really don’t Matter
This third in the eJournal Features three part series covers the features that really don’t matter.
Developers will do anything to get you to use their application or service. This often includes stuffing in a bunch of frivolous or pointless features. Additionally, there are a few things you should watch out for as well in your search for the perfect eJournal.
GPS Tagging
My feelings on the ability to tag entries with GPS coordinates have changed. At first I thought it would be great to have a geographical record of all of the cool places I have been with the entries attached to them. After using it for about two weeks, however, I realized that I might not really want my grandkids how boring I am. Basically every entry I make is from the place. The more adventuresome might be more keen towards this feature.
Emoticons and Icons
A few journals have the ability to include smiley faces or little clip art. Kind of neat, but low on my personal list of essentiality.
Organization/Scheduling Ability
Some journals are also organizers and some organizers are also journals. I haven’t seen a clean execution of this idea. Rather, a dedicated journal application or service will keep you focused on your task at hand and separate your quiet time from your planning time.
Links and Videos
I always imagine that my eJournal will be printed some day. Due to this way of thinking, simple features like website links and videos quickly lose their value. Videos will also greatly increase the file size of your journal or diary.
In-app Purchases
From a developer standpoint, in-app purchases- the ability to buy additional content from within an application- can be great for revenue. For journals, most of which have relatively low programming investment, every feature should be included with the initial purchase so consider avoiding apps that want you to buy more after you have already purchased it.
Fake Reviews
Not really a feature, but a growing problem and something to watch out for. Developers will get so desperate for sales that they will create dozens of different accounts and give positive reviews to their own application in the app store. It drives me crazy! Especially the fact that they think no one will notice.
You can usually identify these phony ratings by looking out for these clues:
* A lot of ratings for a new app
* Consistently short reviews
* Similar grammar or punctuation mistakes from one review to the next
* Reviews that complain about some small omission but love everything else
So as you browse mobile app stores for the right journal or diary, just remember that all features aren’t created equally and not every developer has your better interest in mind.
About the Author
Sam Lytle is the founder of EasyJournaling, a site dedicated to making personal journal and diary keeping easier in our busy lives, especially through mobile and online applications. He works in the civil engineering industry, is an (obviously) avid journaler, and loves spending time with his wife and son.
You can read his other articles in this series:
eJournal Features: Part Two - Features that Matter
eJournal Features: Part One - Essential Features
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