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Writerdeck.org

writerdeck.org

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Re: Writerdeck.org

#31

Post by 1313ed01 »

tlhunter wrote: post #24

I still don't get how one is supposed to easily get docs to and from this machine. It's billed as a distraction-free writing device, but if you're supposed to quit the program, stick in a thumb drive, issue commands to mount it, copy the files from some unknown location, dismount, and return to the program, then it's a pretty distraction-full experience. There basically needs to be a single program (an "OS" in a sens…

Yes. The main reason I do not want to take notes on paper is the lack of instant backup and sync. These devices seem to have the same drawback.

Maybe you could have networking enabled, but only in the background and without any software at all that could distract, just a background service syncing files?

I used to have a laptop running FreeDOS for distraction free hobby programming. Used a USB floppy drive and moved files using floppies, which seemed appropriate for a DOS laptop, but was not very convenient. If I set something like that up again I would probably use Linux or some BSD instead, with network in the background somehow. (But possibly DOSBox or QEMU+FreeDOS for the user interface to be less distracting).

Re: Writerdeck.org

#33

Post by cryzinger »

dv35z wrote: post #21

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sunny Medellin Colombia, outside plaza cafes in Barcelona. Thank you!

AFAIK no one's figured out how to get Linux on it yet, but the Daylight Computer otherwise fits that ticket for me. I have mine set up with a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a no-name tablet stand :)

The benefit I think people don't understand about these low-fi writing setups is that it's much harder to _idly goof off_. There are times where I truly want to read or write, but if I'm on a computer it's too easy for muscle memory to kick in and start typing one of many distracting URLs into the address bar. My tablet is a much more constrained experience, and the screen is monochrome; last time I sat down to write on it, I actually had Google Docs open for three or four hours straight.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#34

Post by backscratches »

blueferret wrote: post #3

I use an Alphasmart Neo to write my novels. It's incredibly easy to focus with such a machine. If it just had bigger storage capacity and a microSD slot I'd never consider another option.

What part of your writing requires so much storage? I thought the alphasmart only did text files.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#35

Post by kstrauser »

noir_lord wrote: post #17

They seem like a better razor for your Yak Shaving than an actually useful product (generally, I'm assuming some people do benefit from them). Honestly if constant online distractions are an issue - just put your laptop/PC in airplane mode, if you don't have the self control to not turn air plane mode off you likely aren't going to have enough to not pull your phone out/grab your laptop.

That hasn’t been my experience. It’s a lot more friction to pull out a phone than to not tap a single control center button.

It’s why I take a notepad to meetings now. I’ve tried taking notes on a laptop, and simply can’t. I can either fight to make something work even though it’s failed for me for decades, or give in and adopt another strategy.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#36

Post by backscratches »

quamserena wrote: post #30
susam wrote: post #28

I remember that in the early 2000s, when Internet access was scarce where I lived, most of my writing (including writing software) happened offline. Everything I needed to do my work was available offline. This included physical books like K&R and the Core Java series that sat on my desk as well as entire sets of documentation such as MSDN discs, Javadoc HTML bundles, the Python documentation and whatever manuals shi…

For Rust, you can generate offline documentation (as HTML and JS files) for your crate and all dependencies. I’ve used this for working in airgapped environments.

Would you share what kind of work you did that required airgapping? Love to see airgapping in the contemporary wild.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#37

Post by kstrauser »

cryzinger wrote: post #33
dv35z wrote: post #21

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sunny Medellin Colombia, outside plaza cafes in Barcelona. Thank you!

AFAIK no one's figured out how to get Linux on it yet, but the Daylight Computer otherwise fits that ticket for me. I have mine set up with a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a no-name tablet stand :) The benefit I think people don't understand about these low-fi writing setups is that it's much harder to _idly goof off_. There are times where I truly want to read or write, but if I'm on a computer it's too easy for musc…

That’s exactly my experience, albeit with a Supernote tablet instead. I wanted it specifically because it can’t do anything not related to me entering words into it.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#38

Post by backscratches »

Xss3 wrote: post #29
dv35z wrote: post #21

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sunny Medellin Colombia, outside plaza cafes in Barcelona. Thank you!

The refresh rate on e ink makes them awkward for coding. Scrolling through a text file or terminal window. Browsing files. Etc. Web dev would be very cumbersome. Everything gets slowed by it. Even typing fluently feels rough at less than 1Hz. We need a biiiiig improvement in e ink displays before any products like what you describe could be good.

Practically all recent (last 6 years) eink can play video passably. Text editing not an issue.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#39

Post by sleepybrett »

blueferret wrote: post #3

I use an Alphasmart Neo to write my novels. It's incredibly easy to focus with such a machine. If it just had bigger storage capacity and a microSD slot I'd never consider another option.

My writer friend also loved the alphasmart stuff until his last one died and he was looking for something with a bigger screen. I gave him my old remarkable and he got himself a little fullsized bluetooth keyboard and he's as happy as a clam now. Every time we see each other he thanks me. Loves the epaper and extra screen real estate and claims it's easier to pack around than the alphasmart. (flatter, boxier, etc)

Re: Writerdeck.org

#40

Post by sleepybrett »

dv35z wrote: post #21

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sunny Medellin Colombia, outside plaza cafes in Barcelona. Thank you!

remarkable + bt keyboard
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