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Writerdeck.org

writerdeck.org

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Re: Writerdeck.org

#41

Post by kstrauser »

basscomm wrote: post #10
pickleglitch wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't use anything like a "writer deck" but for me pen and paper is a non-starter due to hand fatigue. I can type for much, much longer periods than I could ever hope to write by hand.

> but for me pen and paper is a non-starter due to hand fatigue You may want to look into writing with your arm instead of your hand

Not the person you were replying to, but “oh, gee, I wish I’d thought of that! /s”.

I spent my first few decades trying to train myself not to write in a way that causes physical pain. The closest I got was when I discover Lamy Safari pens, which won’t let me hold them the “wrong” way. That only makes it a little less horrid.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#42

Post by backscratches »

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!

I get serious mileage out of an eink monitor, my phone, and a small dock for keyboard/power.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#43

Post by jamesgill »

My 'writer deck' is an old 11" 2014 Macbook Air with no wifi enabled, running Linux Mint. It only has a few apps. Beautiful machine, works perfectly. I paid $35 for it.

And by 'no wifi enabled', I mean it's not enabled in the OS, so I can't even be tempted to turn it on. When I need to sync files/update, I have a USB ethernet dongle.

I love refurbishing old Macbooks/ThinkPads, and I always tell people just buy one, customize it any way you like--paint it, stickers, whatever--and for a few bucks you've got something great.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#44

Post by jordibc »

netule wrote: post #5

I used to try and optimize my distraction-free writing setup, until I realized that by doing so I was distracting myself from writing. I’ve come to realize that if you want to write, then just write. It sounds oversimplified, but that’s the crux of it. Once you get over the initial hill and form the habit of writing, tools no longer matter.

I thought about it when I read Charlie Stross getting one last year [0]. Then thought, what is essential about it? And decided to try something related, even if it was likely to be just another distraction:

  (defun full-screen ()
    (interactive)
    (shell-command "wmctrl -r :ACTIVE: -btoggle,fullscreen")
    (menu-bar-mode 0))

  (defun just-write ()
    "Convert into a big, clean, centered window."
    (interactive)
    (full-screen) (olivetti-mode) (text-scale-adjust 2) (scroll-bar-mode -1)
    (end-of-buffer) (recenter-top-bottom 0))
This is the simple "just-write" function I wrote in emacs, and it also needs the olivetti package and the wmctrl program.

To my surprise, it actually did the trick. I've written more and more pleasantly since then. I feel it's better than if I had gotten a Writer Deck or similar. So I thought I'd share in case it does the trick for anyone else.

(I also use a font and a color scheme that pleases me, but that's minor.)

[0] https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2024/09/zen-and...

Re: Writerdeck.org

#45

Post by Xss3 »

axblount wrote: post #4

It's hard for me to see the advantage of using one of these over pen and paper: - distraction free (except doodling) - lower power consumption - expressive in a way that typing can never be - tends to discourage editing as you write edit: and less eye strain

I can type at spees of thought without discomfort for hours. If i write at that speed for that long i get messy handwriting and pain.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#46

Post by jszymborski »

netule wrote: post #5

I used to try and optimize my distraction-free writing setup, until I realized that by doing so I was distracting myself from writing. I’ve come to realize that if you want to write, then just write. It sounds oversimplified, but that’s the crux of it. Once you get over the initial hill and form the habit of writing, tools no longer matter.

Pad plus paper works best for me. Although truth be told I did fall down the fountain pen/ink/fine paper rabbit hole, so honestly there is no escaping it.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#47

Post by bitwize »

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!

Expensive: Daylight Computer.

Less expensive: PineNote.

Pair with a Bluetooth keyboard.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#48

Post by floren »

bitwize wrote: post #47
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!

Expensive: Daylight Computer. Less expensive: PineNote. Pair with a Bluetooth keyboard.

> Less expensive: PineNote.

Well, tariffs have changed that calculation lately...

Re: Writerdeck.org

#49

Post by bluGill »

tlhunter wrote: post #25
axblount wrote: post #4

It's hard for me to see the advantage of using one of these over pen and paper: - distraction free (except doodling) - lower power consumption - expressive in a way that typing can never be - tends to discourage editing as you write edit: and less eye strain

Expression is a bit distracting though, especially if the ultimate goal is to publish text. Doodles and character size changes probably won't make it into a printed manuscript. I'd argue that's why tools like Microsoft Word are bad for writing; such software displays unimportant thing front and center like changing colors and fonts when ultimately we just want to customize the semantics of text like conveying a quote…

There are many stages: creative, editing, and publishing (the above can all be broken down even more, and this is often useful, but I had to stop someplace). Creative is the first state, just getting everything down. Editing is the details of making it correct (both fact checking and grammar). The publishing is making it all look nice. They are 3 separate steps that demand 3 different skill sets. You need to keep them separate.

Unfortunately the above is easially to say, but hard to force. If you are creating something you should stop if the facts are wrong (no point in continuing when you suddenly realize your argument depends on something that might be false) even though fact check is an editing process. You cannot refer to data in a chart until you create the chart. For many people a misspelling is something their brain will not ignore even though they know the word they mean and fixing it belongs to editing - your flow is already interrupted either way and not fixing it means the flow stays interrupted.

Re: Writerdeck.org

#50

Post by lproven »

pickleglitch wrote: post #7
axblount wrote: post #4

It's hard for me to see the advantage of using one of these over pen and paper: - distraction free (except doodling) - lower power consumption - expressive in a way that typing can never be - tends to discourage editing as you write edit: and less eye strain

I don't use anything like a "writer deck" but for me pen and paper is a non-starter due to hand fatigue. I can type for much, much longer periods than I could ever hope to write by hand.

> hand fatigue

Try a fountain pen. Seriously. Many people press far too hard with ballpoints; with a fountain pen, you can't -- you'll bend the nib and smudge.

Some adults won't have written with one since school; younger ones, never. But they exist for goods solid ergonomic reasons.

After you get used to them you write better, too.

There are good disposable fountain pens now, and I've been using them for a decade and a half. I like the Pilot V-Pen.

https://macchiatoman.com/blog/2020/1/22/pen-review-pilot-v-p...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Pen-Disposable-Fountain-Black...

Costs about £5, lasts many months of heavy use -- much more than any cartridge pen as the whole barrel is full of ink -- and I have never ever had one leak in my bag or pocket.

Highly recommended.

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