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USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

usbtypewriter.com

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Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#41

Post by jff »

Drakeman wrote: post #4

Looks to be a very interesting idea. In fact, I do want one. Buuuuut, I'd have to wonder with those prices for the full models and DIY kits if he is not overcharging by several hundred dollars. True, you're buying a piece of tech for its look and feel more than functionality, but as a guy who's actually bought, played with, and used old style typewriter, $700 is a bit much for anyone. Could any enthusiasts (I conside…

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82254797/usb-typewriter-computer... I own this exact typewriter. I bought it a few years ago for $20. Now, if you have the money to spend, perhaps for a gift, and you don't feel confident that you can find a good typewriter and assemble it yourself, $700 might be worth it to you.

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#43

Post by tjmc »

jrockway wrote: post #40
tjmc wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep - I'd definitely pay for a stylish hardware icalc keypad over a whole calculator. Im studying mech engineering. So it needs to be more than just a numeric keyboard - a scientific calc layout with brackets, exponents, logs and trig functions at a minimum. I guess the ultimate would be e-ink keys that you could relabel, but it wouldn't be too bad to use the screen for rarely used functions and just have a sensible…

It sounds like someone needs to introduce you to computer algebra systems. I recommend Mathematica, Maple, or Matlib.

Slightly different issue. Entering equations quickly and accurately is very hard with a virtual keyboard. I'd like to use my phone rather than a calculator in situations when i dont have a full pc handy. I've used Maple extensively and it's a great tool. But I'm not looking for a pc replacement, I'm looking for a calculator replacement. The app side could certainly work like Maple or Mathmatica.

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#44

Post by Terretta »

randomdata wrote: post #36
icebraining wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does the iPhone have an host USB port? I don't think it does. There are bluetooth numberpads, though, those should work. Something like this: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H0321VC/A (just found it, never used)

From what I gather, the iPhone does have a host USB port (assuming you have the Camera Connection Kit to provide the connector), but it is not enabled in iOS. iOS on the iPad is said to have USB keyboard support. I don't have the necessary hardware to back that up though.

You can plug a variety of USB gear to the "camera connection kit" on iPad and it just works, from USB headsets (audio + mic) to keyboards.

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#45

Post by Terretta »

cturner wrote: post #14

I'd like to get a device the other way around - a daisy-wheel printer with simple parts and a serial or USB interface.

I've been looking for this for nearly a decade with no luck. Around 2007 I found a daisywheel typewriter with a floppy drive, but the carriage was broken.

If you find something, let me know!

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#46

Post by jrockway »

tjmc wrote: post #43
jrockway wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It sounds like someone needs to introduce you to computer algebra systems. I recommend Mathematica, Maple, or Matlib.

Slightly different issue. Entering equations quickly and accurately is very hard with a virtual keyboard. I'd like to use my phone rather than a calculator in situations when i dont have a full pc handy. I've used Maple extensively and it's a great tool. But I'm not looking for a pc replacement, I'm looking for a calculator replacement. The app side could certainly work like Maple or Mathmatica.

So you are willing to carry around a full mechanical keyboard to attach to your phone and type complex equations, but you can't carry around a netbook or something for that purpose?

I have to say, I'm a little baffled. Phones are for phoning. Computers are for computing.

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#48

Post by m0nastic »

I may be in the minority that actually might purchase one of these.

I still use a typewriter for all my prose (currently an Olivetti) for the one dumb reason that it's the only way I've found to stop myself from editing my writing as I write it.

I'd been contemplating picking up a refurbished Selectric (as just the hum that emits after turning it on brings back wonderful memories), but this would have the added benefit of also making a digital copy (which I do at some point want for editing).

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#49

Post by tjmc »

jrockway wrote: post #46
tjmc wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slightly different issue. Entering equations quickly and accurately is very hard with a virtual keyboard. I'd like to use my phone rather than a calculator in situations when i dont have a full pc handy. I've used Maple extensively and it's a great tool. But I'm not looking for a pc replacement, I'm looking for a calculator replacement. The app side could certainly work like Maple or Mathmatica.

So you are willing to carry around a full mechanical keyboard to attach to your phone and type complex equations, but you can't carry around a netbook or something for that purpose? I have to say, I'm a little baffled. Phones are for phoning. Computers are for computing.

Smart phones are computers that are capable of phoning too. Netbooks and laptops aren't ideal for entering a lot of numbers either because they don't have a numeric keypad. Calculator keyboards are laid out better for working with equations.

Let me put it another way - do you think calculators are completely redundant?

Re: USBTypewriter - new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence.

#50

Post by Luyt »

jrockway wrote: post #39

Wow, a bunch of switches that work like a bunch of switches. Groundbreaking!! If there are 101 keys, there must be like 102 wires involved in this project! Call NASA! Hire this guy!

No wires, just many reed switches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_switch
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