NCT Cookbook!!!

Keltin said:
Should be easy to find. On the menu bar look for Format. Drop down window appears when you click it. Styles and Formatting should be there. If not, uninstall that crap and get some real SW! :lol:
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I have it I just had a different tab open. Its not crap its ok for me.
 
Thanks guys!!!!!!! Looks like we are off to a good start. Thanks for helping SS with this project Keltin. Your expertice will be invaluable. SS your software sounds like the bees knees. Very kewl.

Peeps, I have MS office 2007 at work and have such a hard time finding the right widget for what I want to do. I knew where it was in 2003 but 2007 changed everything, for the worse IMO. Once you are used to it I'm sure it's okay, but it's frustrating knowing how you want to accomplish something but having to spend 15 minutes looking to find where they hid that option in this version of Word. :bonk: That alone made me download the latest Open Office for my laptop. Open Office rocks!!!! :D (and it's FREE).
 
Keltin, it's been a while since I used Word and pretty much stick to OO now. That said, can't you still export a template file that includes the styles you want used? I'd suggest that Doc set up a download section and you make the desired template file available there. I'm sure there will be many members intimidated by setting up their own style/template. It's important to make contributing as easy as possible for our members.
 
What Unconundrum said. I'll be glad to contribute recipes, but not so much if I have to go learn any advanced word processing stuff first. I don't even know which program I have or use... all I do is open it write save and close, LOLOL!
 
Guys, it won't be complicated. The only problem here is ME! I need Keltin to teach ME how to import recipes from Word/OO/whatever. Once I get them, I can clean them up and make them look pretty. He's going to help me get some kind of standardization so that I don't have to re-type every recipe one-by-one.

The idea of providing a template is good. We should be able to do that. I just need a couple days to get my act together here. Please be patient with me - more gentle suggestions are encouraged and welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
lilbopeep said:
What software is that SS? I have been working up mine and family recipes to hopefully make cookbooks for my girls with our family recipes. That sounds like a good program. I will probably need to save up to buy the program but it sounds great!! LOL.
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It's Living Cookbook, and it's not very expensive. I looked at all of the others, Master Cook, Meal Master, Big Oven, Cook'n, etc, and this one seemed to be the most feature-rich. It was also the best for handling photos and for publishing options.

You can capture recipes from the web, if you want - I haven't tried that, however. Obviously, I haven't tried any of the import/export features. I just type in my own stuff.

It calculates all of the nutri info, and even Weight Watchers points! If you put in your grocery store receipts, it will calculate cost per serving.

You can check out the demo on their website and even download a free 30 day trial. www.livingcookbook.com Their support has been great. You always get a personal response from Lee or Geoff within a day.

And no, I have no connection with them at all. I just really like the product.
 
Good idea for a template. All we have to do to share a template or any Word or OO document is add it to a post just like we add pics, as an attachment. Everyone can then click on it to open it or save it to their PC.

If anyone has trouble with the software or template I will be happy to help. You can post or send me the recipe and I'll put it into whatever template we use. We do not want technical difficulties to prevent anyone from participating.
 
NCT Cookbook Instructions and FAQ's

Another thing that might be helpful to SS is for everyone to list the ingredients in the order that they are used in the directions. I'm real bad about not doing that when I write out a recipe, but I think that's how the pro's do it.

I'll start thinking about which ones I would like to submit. I'm not sure that I want to know the calorie count on some of the things that I cook :shock:.
 
Cooksie said:
Another thing that might be helpful to SS is for everyone to list the ingredients in the order that they are used in the directions. I'm real bad about not doing that when I write out a recipe, but I think that's how the pro's do it.

.
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Great suggestion, Cooksie.



Here's another thing that will take some of the worry out of the formatting. I can set the overall format in the software. Fonts, sizes, bold, italics, colors, layout, styles, etc. So it won't really matter how the type is formatted when you send it. I can automatically make everything consistent.

Now we just have to set a template for the order of things, I think.
 
Hahaha.....CRAP!

The only two features the trial version of Living Cookbook disables are restore a backup......and IMPORT a recipe!!! Figures! :lol:
 
I've been playing with it too. I think the feature we want is "capture" not import. Import seems to be for other programs' files. Capture seems to be for text files.

I'll PM you after dinner.
 
SilverSage said:
I've been playing with it too. I think the feature we want is "capture" not import. Import seems to be for other programs' files. Capture seems to be for text files.

I'll PM you after dinner.
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Ok. I think I'm going to go ahead and buy a license though.
 
Keltin said:
Not exactly. If you open word and select the AA button to display the styles and formatting, you can see all available styles for that template.

For importation, you set your layout to recognize those styles. So a Head1 becomes a big and bold title. A Head2 becomes an Italicized header. A head3 becomes copytext. An extra becomes a callout. A caption becomes a screen. Etc, etc, etc.

It’s much like coding in C where you do global defines. You define “h_line” as a horizontal line running from X pos 1 to X Pos 2. Then all you need do is call H_line throughout your program and it gets replaced with that beautiful horizontal line.

Proper importation will key on the styles you set it to recognize. So on a good program, you can tell it that when you see Style 1, make that bold, verdana font, black text on a beige background. Then, on an import, EVERY Style 1 gets treated that way meaning you don’t have to go through the whole book and do it yourself.
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oh, i don't think i was clear with my question. as far as our emails go, aren't we just submitting a recipe as a word document, and someone will enter the info into the software template so that it will print out? or are we going to be accessing the app that you're using, submitting our recipes directly to some database?

the latter sounds like it could be troublesome.
 
Silver Sage said:
It's Living Cookbook, and it's not very expensive. I looked at all of the others, Master Cook, Meal Master, Big Oven, Cook'n, etc, and this one seemed to be the most feature-rich. It was also the best for handling photos and for publishing options.
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Keltin said:
eah, it's pretty awesome. I've never really had the desire to use something like that personally, but after seeing it, I can see lots of applications, especially for future NCT projects. It's a nice package. __________________
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That's a real concidence - I almost bought this product the other day, because I've been looking for a way to organize my recipes to give to my granddaughters. Cool - after hearing your positive reviews, I'll go ahead and do it. Thanks, guys.
 
buckytom said:
oh, i don't think i was clear with my question. as far as our emails go, aren't we just submitting a recipe as a word document, and someone will enter the info into the software template so that it will print out? or are we going to be accessing the app that you're using, submitting our recipes directly to some database?

the latter sounds like it could be troublesome.
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Oh, now that I'm into this new SW, all that is required from the NCT members is to submit a word or text file.

It WOULD help if we all agree on a template such as Title first, Name Second, etc, but in the end, it can all be cleaned up on the back end.

We're still hashing out the finer details, but I hope that soon we will have a basic template....and by template I mean basic design of text that does not key on formatting since formatting doesn't seem to be noticed on import or capture in this program. Something like basic text of:

Title
User Name

Ingredients
List them

Procedure
Tell it in 300 words or less

Don't know the total word count yet, so we're still working that too.

Technically, ANY text submittal can be accepted. If you do it in word according to whatever layout is finally decided, it is easier, but if it is just raw ASCII text pasted in an email, we can still process that and make it work.
 
sounds do-able.

keltin and ss, have you ever submitted a recipe to recipezaar.com?

if not, give it a go, it might help you guys work out some details.

the biggest gotchas seem to be accepted terms to be able to calculate nutritional info.

for instance, someone might say "1 medium onion, diced".

a diced medium onion to one person could be golf ball sized at a 1/2 cup, or a baseball sized at a cup. it can become a big difference to the nutritional value.

so, you may want to keep the book more rustic, as in just a collection of recipes in the author's own words, rather than a more scientific/informative cookbook.

just a thought.
 
I set up a new thread for the instructions. Please keep posting ideas and suggestions here. The more good suggestions you all offer, the better the final cookbook will be.

Cooksie, if you don't mind, I'm going to copy your post about ingredient order to the instruction thread.
 
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Just read the instructions, SS - great job!

Is it required to add the number of servings? Or the cooking time and down time?

Or are they just "nice to have" if you know?

Lee
 
I don’t know if we could fill it, but I’d love to see a section of the cookbook dedicated to alternative ways of cooking. Something like “Alternative Approaches”, “Alternative Techniques”, “New Approaches”, etc.

A chapter like that could teach readers there are other ways to use what you have to cook some awesome food, and it’s fun. I love chapters and TV shows that teach me something I never thought about so that I go “OH, I didn’t know you could do that” or “Why didn’t I think of that”.

Stuff like:

Making a Meatloaf in a Crock Pot (using the crock-pot as a dry roaster).
http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15027


Grilling a meatloaf (using your grill as an oven).
http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2402


Campfire Foil Pack Cooking (cooking directly on coals with only foil)
http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10545

http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13230


Re-using leftovers for a new meal
http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13245
 
Well, so far the only recipe I have is one from Mama. So there's not very much "alternative" to work with! :yum:

Come on, guys! Send me some recipes!

Bucky, I want that pea soup recipe! And I'm gonna call Sister Mary Margaret if you don't find your missing cap key when you send it!

Kimchee, didn't you start this thing?

High Cheese, you need to be the class act here.

Fool, are you sending us some Q?

CalCook, Guts, FooD, we need some west coast influence.

Karen and Ray, we're counting on you for some international flair.

Keltin, you're the 'alternative guru'.

Peeps, Sass, Cooksie, Dee, I'm taking names here!

vyapti and Larry, if you don't contribute, we may end up calling it the Meat Book!

And just 'cause I didn't spot you in my magic mirror this time, doesn't mean you'll get a pass tomorrow!

And I don't want any excuses from any of the mods, or I'll be having Mistress Vera taking you out behind the shed!
 
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Making Ghee and Brown Butter could qualify as alternative.

http://www.netcookingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15749


I emailed you 5 recipes and 2 pics about an hour ago. They were just basic fare that have done well. Most of them have been cooked by other members here, and they liked it, so I thought them good candidates.

So, my 5 are in......but if you like......I'll put together the Alternative chapter! :biggrin:
 
I just sent you recipes and pictures for my favorite moist gingerbread cake and for my mom's baked chicken!

Will send three more this weekend!

Lee
 
I'll send in one of mine next week, for sure. Going out of town for a couple of days, but I'll get it tweaked to fit the format and sent then. BTW, I appreciate all the voluntary work that this project is going to take on your part.
 
lol, ss. i'll be sure to use proper grammar and spelling.

i get dyslexic when i type with two hands, so it's just a lot easier to type with one hand (three fingers, actually) and not capitalize anything.

also, i started communicating "online" way back in the days of bbs's at 300 baud, before the internet was public, so most people didn't capitalize. i guess it's an old habit.

and that's my excuse, and i'm stickin' to it. :tongue:
 
buckytom said:
lol, ss. i'll be sure to use proper grammar and spelling.

i get dyslexic when i type with two hands, so it's just a lot easier to type with one hand (three fingers, actually) and not capitalize anything.

also, i started communicating "online" way back in the days of bbs's at 300 baud, before the internet was public, so most people didn't capitalize. i guess it's an old habit.

and that's my excuse, and i'm stickin' to it. :tongue:
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Oh come on Son, I was on those 300 bps BBS sites, and SOME of us DID use capitalization and proper punctuation!

I remember when the first graphic browser came out! What a day that was!!
 
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