How to be a better blogger using TextExpander
If you are a blogger who posts as much as I do, or on multiple blogs, you are always looking for ways to streamline your blogging and make it easier to keep up. If you are also a Mac user, you have one of the best tools around for doing just that: TextExpander.
TextExpander is a fantastic helper application made for the Mac that lets you create shortcuts for frequently typed text and commands. It is one of my most used programs, second only to Quicksilver (I’ll talk about Quicksilver in a future how to post). With the introduction of Ubiquity (this will also be a future how to post) to the mix for FireFox user we may have a productivity trifecta on our hands.
TextExpander allows you to make any repetitive task easier and faster. I use it for a variety of things, including signatures for various applications and emails, typing my company name, executing commands, putting copyright tag lines into my blog posts and other writing, and more.
Some ways to use TextExpander to make your blogging experience a bit better include:
Url shorteners
The trend these days is the micro Url, especially on services like Twitter and Pownce that only allow 140 characters. If your blog post will be picked up on any of these micro blogging services, or its links may appear in another space challenged area, you will want to shorten the Urls in it.
Popular Url shortener bit.ly is fast becoming a contender to the original service, TinyUrl. Bit.ly offers a variety of features that promote link juice and make your mini links better, like thumbnails, a history and stats. You can use either one via TextExpander and AppleScripts. I prefer bit.ly for its shorter Urls (the AppleScript for TextExpander is here), but if you are loyal to TinyUrl you can grab that TextExpander AppleScript here.
Signature lines and copyright notices
Setting a shortcut for often used phrases you’d put at the end of your blog posts is a huge time saver. One such handy use is for the copyright tag. If you are one of those people who puts a Creative Commons or standard copyright notice on every post, not having to type it out will be a time saver. Just use TextExpander to set up a shortcut like the copyright symbol (CMMD + G) that will then deliver the full phrase, like “© Copyright Blorge.com, All Rights Reserved” each time you select it. You can do the same for signature and author tag lines. The key is to pick a distinct shortcut character set that you don’t type in everyday use.
Accents and special characters in words
This one is paraphrased from the TextExpander blog, and it’s a great tip. If you find yourself having to hunt for the tildé, the umläut and other special characters to type words that use them, make a shortcut in TextExpander to handle it. The guys at TextExpander simply made the word without the special character the shortcut, with the correct spelling showing up when typed. So simple it’s genius.
HTML, CSS and PHP uses
If you use CSS, PHP or even old school HTML on a regular basis in your blogging, you will find the applications for TextExpander as a help tool invaluable. The guys at TextExpander have even provided a handy list of CSS shortcuts to get you started. don’t limit yourself to the pre-arranged short cuts though. The possibilities for creating your own are endless. I use shortcuts for styling shortcuts, image insert short cuts and much more.
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As you can see, there are endless uses for TextExpander when blogging and writing on your Mac. Are you a regular TextExpander user? Share the cool short cuts you’ve et up or discovered with the rest of us in the comments – I know I’m always looking for even more ideas on how to use one of my favorite Mac tools.
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January 15th, 2009
We’ve baked the AppleScript URL shorteners into TextExpander v. 2.5. No muss, no fuss. Just go to “Add Predefined Group” under the plus menu under your snippets list, and choose “Internet Productivity Snippets”. Right now we have TinyURL, bit.ly, and tr.im included, with plans to add more soon.