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Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

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Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#51

Post by seoulbigchris »

A long time ago, a colleague and I visited a supplier in another state. While we were waiting alone in a conference room, we noticed an unusual looking note taking device at the front of the room. It was a very large easel that looked like a white board, with a tray of markers and an eraser. But it was clearly electronic because it had stuff attached to the top and bottom, some buttons, and was plugged in. We walked up to the easel, drew a large circle on it, and pressed what looked like a COPY button, curious how it was going to perform that task.

The machine whirred into action, scrolling the white board material (which turned out to be a flexible plastic-like film) over the top of the easel, and paying out fresh whiteboard up from the bottom. A perfect duplicate of our circle on paper spat out of a slot in the machine, akin to a FAX machine. As the scrolling came to a stop, it revealed a previously hidden drawing -- someone had drawn a large "X" in the middle of the page. I guess we weren't the only ones who were curious how the machine worked.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#52

Post by seoulbigchris »

solardev wrote: post #8

> some kind of magnetic board Sounds like a giant Etch-a-sketch? There are these small electric blackboards that you can push a button to reset: https://myboogieboard.com/pages/blackboard-smart I wonder if they make a giant wall mountable version?

I have a product labeled Boogieboard that I bought on a whim at Costco years back. I want to say it was less that $10? Really simple, no connectivity, it does really seem like an etch-a-sketch with a stylus instead of knobs. Stuck it on the fridge with tacky-tack and it’s been going strong for many years. About the size of A5 (or half an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper).

EDIT: looking at the link above, it is called the Jot and sells for $18. Still made apparently.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#53

Post by lathiat »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #31
firefax wrote: post #9

Slightly off topic, but if you ever write on a whiteboard with a sharpie, you can write over the text with an erasable marker and then wipe it away.

This works because the solvent base for the ink is alcohol, so a much simpler method that doesn't waste ink is to use a small spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol. Ideally 99/100%, if you can get it. (Try eBay.) This doubles up as an effective whiteboard cleaner.

Hand sanitiser is great for this. A dab of whisky on a paper towel also works well.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#54

Post by firefax »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #31
firefax wrote: post #9

Slightly off topic, but if you ever write on a whiteboard with a sharpie, you can write over the text with an erasable marker and then wipe it away.

This works because the solvent base for the ink is alcohol, so a much simpler method that doesn't waste ink is to use a small spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol. Ideally 99/100%, if you can get it. (Try eBay.) This doubles up as an effective whiteboard cleaner.

Yeah, I'm mostly posting this for folks who might not have access to ISO, but if you do, that is the best solution.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#55

Post by RaftPeople »

seoulbigchris wrote: post #51

A long time ago, a colleague and I visited a supplier in another state. While we were waiting alone in a conference room, we noticed an unusual looking note taking device at the front of the room. It was a very large easel that looked like a white board, with a tray of markers and an eraser. But it was clearly electronic because it had stuff attached to the top and bottom, some buttons, and was plugged in. We walked…

We had a few of those years ago. It kind of worked but was also another device that you had to understand how to load paper or work through error conditions.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#56

Post by mindslight »

thex10 wrote: post #13

I recently learned whiteboards can also use wet erase markers. This has the benefit of not getting utterly destroyed if you graze it slightly.

Me too! Also, whiteboard tape exists: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NBL3UMU . I've started using it on storage bins (easier to get over the mental hurdle of labeling when I don't have to worry about the label changing later), and homeprod network switches (I'm terrible at recording port assignments electronically).

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#57

Post by wrp »

seoulbigchris wrote: post #51

A long time ago, a colleague and I visited a supplier in another state. While we were waiting alone in a conference room, we noticed an unusual looking note taking device at the front of the room. It was a very large easel that looked like a white board, with a tray of markers and an eraser. But it was clearly electronic because it had stuff attached to the top and bottom, some buttons, and was plugged in. We walked…

In the 1990s, I went to a lab in Tokyo for a presentation, and they had me using a freestanding whiteboard. When the board got full, I grabbed the eraser but a few in the audience started going "wait! wait". I thought they needed more time to copy the writing, but then a guy came up from the audience and pressed a button at the side of the board. The writing surface scrolled off to the side and a printout emerged from a machine in the corner.

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#58

Post by swe02 »

dreamcompiler wrote: post #33
Two4 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's also similarly great for killing braincells when auto-applied orally

No. You're thinking of ethyl alcohol. If you ingest isopropyl alcohol you're gonna have a bad day. Oh and make sure the label on the ethyl alcohol does not contain the word "DENATURED." That's code for "tastes like shit and makes you sick."

Isopropanol is relatively safe to drink in small amounts (single digit mL). It's only about 2x stronger than ethanol, and your liver metabolizes it to acetone, which is safe.

Denatured alcohol contains methanol, which is way more dangerous since you metabolise it to formaldehyde.

Source: I unknowingly got drunk on IPA fumes before work one time and wrote some really bad code

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#59

Post by [deleted] »

conductr wrote: post #47
DAhelloNG wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until I move out yea

Your comment reminds me of my 18~25 year old self when I never renewed an apartment lease as a way to avoid cleaning my bathtub. It was my least favorite childhood chore and I’m mid40s and still haven’t done it once myself. At this point it’s petty but I refuse to do it on principle alone, to keep the streak alive

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What kind of whiteboard does not use dry erase markers?

#60

Post by cf100clunk »

DAhelloNG wrote: post #34

I write directly on the drywall, it's a lifehack that forces you to accept your past ideas and thoughts.

Once, long ago, I wrote some pithy, earth-shattering thoughts onto the wall while extremely high, and was self-satisfied at the gift I'd bestowed upon the world. The next day I had no idea or recollection of what it meant, and on reflection I wish it had been on a white board and not wallpaper.
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