I could have SWORN there was a thread for this, but I can't find it.
This is for hipster that feels Macbook isn’t cutting it anymore.
From the comments...QuoteThis is for hipster that feels Macbook isn’t cutting it anymore.
I think that about sums it up. The e-ink is much better for your eyes though.
Still, why not just use an old command line OS and text editor. Not much distraction going on there, and doesn't cost a fortune and then some.
No amount of "distraction-free" is really going to work so long as you are in the proximity of a real computer or have your phone on you, in my opinion. Distraction-free is more of a discipline than anything else.
How about a compact, minimal mechanical Bluetooth keyboard with a wooden casing, slot for your phone / tablet to rest in at an angle (with brass weight in the front of the keyboard to counterbalance it) and a good typewriter app like Writemonkey?
If you don't want distractions, just set the device in "do not disturb" mode.
I've been considering this as a product idea, but I don't have time to develop it yet. Should I?
The pricing on this is insane. I was all aboard this idea thinking it would be a great cheap way to type out long thesis or stories etc and use it alongside a proper laptop... But the pricing is just insane. **** like this pisses me off.
As someone trying to get into design it brings my blood to boil when new guys come in and design something only for the rich or elite... How is that good design? What problem are you hoping to solve by arbitrary blocking a huge customer base.
And at $400 (which is a 'deep' discount?!) your getting a keyboard and an e-ink display with a wifi adapter? You could get a proper laptop and a proper keyboard with that kind of money...
Like I said when this was a concept I was 100% behind this, but given the pricing these guys can get ****ed.
what's funny is ..
The majority of the people are poor ..
Yet they also make up the majority of apple users ..
LOL.. financing.. that's why apple isn't actually a rich people brand, it's just a poor people brand under the guise of luxury..
This is relative to income of course.. if you were in a third world country, and you had an apple computer, technically you would be rich..
The pricing on this is insane. I was all aboard this idea thinking it would be a great cheap way to type out long thesis or stories etc and use it alongside a proper laptop... But the pricing is just insane. **** like this pisses me off.
As someone trying to get into design it brings my blood to boil when new guys come in and design something only for the rich or elite... How is that good design? What problem are you hoping to solve by arbitrary blocking a huge customer base.
And at $400 (which is a 'deep' discount?!) your getting a keyboard and an e-ink display with a wifi adapter? You could get a proper laptop and a proper keyboard with that kind of money...
Like I said when this was a concept I was 100% behind this, but given the pricing these guys can get ****ed.
There is a large market for making products for rich folks. There also are plenty of yuppies with money to burn and time on their hands that envision themselves as writers. Apple ain't cheap and accessible. But they damn well sell like Tickle Me Elmo in 1996.
Real aspiring writers will continue beating away at their scissor switches on a five-year-old laptop while relying on food stamps to get by.
A new device is not going to make a person a good writer. They might be delusional and think they are a distraction-free device away from being a writer. Being a successful writer comes down to your discipline and concentration, like nearly any other task you seek to master.
So your main market for this is going to be the people that have an unsatisfactory, well paying career that think all they need is a new device to change their habits and become the writer they always wanted to be.
what's funny is ..
The majority of the people are poor ..
Yet they also make up the majority of apple users ..
LOL.. financing.. that's why apple isn't actually a rich people brand, it's just a poor people brand under the guise of luxury..
This is relative to income of course.. if you were in a third world country, and you had an apple computer, technically you would be rich..
Oh yea, I forgot about financing. We also have cell phone contracts, which an indirect way of financing a device. My poor roommate bought an iPad with financing. I just buy everything outright and don't worry about payments.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
Real aspiring writers will continue beating away at their scissor switches on a five-year-old laptop while relying on food stamps to get by.
A new device is not going to make a person a good writer. They might be delusional and think they are a distraction-free device away from being a writer. Being a successful writer comes down to your discipline and concentration, like nearly any other task you seek to master.
So your main market for this is going to be the people that have an unsatisfactory, well paying career that think all they need is a new device to change their habits and become the writer they always wanted to be.
Real aspiring writers will continue beating away at their scissor switches on a five-year-old laptop while relying on food stamps to get by.
A new device is not going to make a person a good writer. They might be delusional and think they are a distraction-free device away from being a writer. Being a successful writer comes down to your discipline and concentration, like nearly any other task you seek to master.
So your main market for this is going to be the people that have an unsatisfactory, well paying career that think all they need is a new device to change their habits and become the writer they always wanted to be.
Wow, generalize much? How do you know what every writers uses or needs? You are just throwing around broad cliches about who you assume writers are. And again: half the people posting here are on special custom keyboards that cost $100, $200, more... so let's not start throwing rocks about overpriced products.
Is this thing expensive? Yes. Overpriced? Quite possibly. Is it interesting that people are potentially willing to pony up cash for a device for ONLY typing text? Yes, I think it is interesting and I think it points to this being a specific "overload" moment in people's technological lives. That's why I posted this.
But by all means, let's hear more generalizations about "hipsters" and "wannabe writers" from people who blow hundreds of dollars for differently-colored keys on their keyboards.
Again, you could make nearly all these arguments about fancy mechanical keyboards. You're also calling me an idiot for thinking this thing is kind of interesting. So... :thumb: -- there's not an icon for the digit I am sending your way, but thanks so much for participating.
The pricing on this is insane. I was all aboard this idea thinking it would be a great cheap way to type out long thesis or stories etc and use it alongside a proper laptop... But the pricing is just insane. **** like this pisses me off.
As someone trying to get into design it brings my blood to boil when new guys come in and design something only for the rich or elite... How is that good design? What problem are you hoping to solve by arbitrary blocking a huge customer base.
And at $400 (which is a 'deep' discount?!) your getting a keyboard and an e-ink display with a wifi adapter? You could get a proper laptop and a proper keyboard with that kind of money...
Like I said when this was a concept I was 100% behind this, but given the pricing these guys can get ****ed.
There is a large market for making products for rich folks. There also are plenty of yuppies with money to burn and time on their hands that envision themselves as writers. Apple ain't cheap and accessible. But they damn well sell like Tickle Me Elmo in 1996.
Real aspiring writers will continue beating away at their scissor switches on a five-year-old laptop while relying on food stamps to get by.
A new device is not going to make a person a good writer. They might be delusional and think they are a distraction-free device away from being a writer. Being a successful writer comes down to your discipline and concentration, like nearly any other task you seek to master.
So your main market for this is going to be the people that have an unsatisfactory, well paying career that think all they need is a new device to change their habits and become the writer they always wanted to be.
I just have a personal issue with this way of thinking. It's like every halfwit design graduate 'designs' some insane $700 chair and think they are the next design genious.
Since Apple's second coming every moron designer seems to think that design can only be for the privileged, it's insane and retarded.
Apple make very wel made devices, these kids are making a keyboard with an eink display for the same price as Apple's premium iPad. It's insane.
Maybe I'm just projecting my own frustrations at picking the wrong degree and trying to correct that now but I'm tried of looking at the work of 'designers' and then seeing the insane price tag that is totally unjustified, but is only there to try and elevate the thing they have designed to a level it has no place being on.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
Good design solves problems. This solves a problem and then arbitrary barrier to entry as to try and elevate it to a level it has no place being on.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
Real aspiring writers will continue beating away at their scissor switches on a five-year-old laptop while relying on food stamps to get by.
A new device is not going to make a person a good writer. They might be delusional and think they are a distraction-free device away from being a writer. Being a successful writer comes down to your discipline and concentration, like nearly any other task you seek to master.
So your main market for this is going to be the people that have an unsatisfactory, well paying career that think all they need is a new device to change their habits and become the writer they always wanted to be.
Wow, generalize much? How do you know what every writers uses or needs? You are just throwing around broad cliches about who you assume writers are. And again: half the people posting here are on special custom keyboards that cost $100, $200, more... so let's not start throwing rocks about overpriced products.
Is this thing expensive? Yes. Overpriced? Quite possibly. Is it interesting that people are potentially willing to pony up cash for a device for ONLY typing text? Yes, I think it is interesting and I think it points to this being a specific "overload" moment in people's technological lives. That's why I posted this.
But by all means, let's hear more generalizations about "hipsters" and "wannabe writers" from people who blow hundreds of dollars for differently-colored keys on their keyboards.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
Good design solves problems. This solves a problem and then arbitrary barrier to entry as to try and elevate it to a level it has no place being on.
Design at its best creates value, in its broader sense, this proposal may not have a positive balance of value created solving a problem -that does not necessarily exist, or that could be solved in more efficient ways- vs. overall cost of production and ownership.
This is turning into an interesting philosophical debate about the actual purpose of design, business based on aspirational luxury items pulling poor people paying for it on credit, and technology as replacement of self control, and replacement of actual skills development.
Good design solves problems. This solves a problem and then arbitrary barrier to entry as to try and elevate it to a level it has no place being on.
Design at its best creates value, in its broader sense, this proposal may not have a positive balance of value created solving a problem -that does not necessarily exist, or that could be solved in more efficient ways- vs. overall cost of production and ownership.
I don't feel you can create value by simply slapping on a price tag though. There is no genious here, no extreme case of amazing design that has come from nowhere, just an updated and improved pre-existing idea.
Apple is the perfect example of creating value through design. And if you look at there machines vs other companies machines (be they desktops or laptops) Apple is in another world compared to them. You look at the original iMac or the iBook's and they are light years ahead of Dell or Toshiba at the time.
Anther tech example of design creating value would be the IBM Think Pads.
But neither of these examples happened over night.
Like I said I feel like this is a classic case of people graduating uni and designing some insane mostly bad looking chair and desk and then charging $2000 for it. But yeah seems like people lap that **** up so I guess what do I know? Lol
You know, there are a lot of people out there would would say mechanical keyboards are for the hipster whose regular keyboard isn't cutting it anymore. After all, millions of people crank out billions of words a day on membrane keyboards just fine, right? :)
...
I agree up to a point, but computers are perfect distraction machines. Obviously you can shut off your internet and use good old fashioned discipline -- but at the same time I think there is something to the idea of an all-in-one device dedicated to writing and incapable of really being used for anything else. Especially when the screen and keyboard have been optimized for text input. Probably pretty hard to write in screenplay format on it, though, unless you use Fountain (http://Fountain.io) script format, I guess.
For the record, I've gone down the road of creating a separate, stripped-down user account for writing only under OS X (though I wouldn't touch Word with a ten-foot pole) and that's definitely a help. I even used the Accessibility settings to make the screen greyscale in that account so it feels different from my main account. It's not bad but if this was cheaper I could see lugging it .
alphasmart made these things for a very long time:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlphaSmart
there are plenty on ebay for pennies, probably less than it would cost to roll your own and with just as much useful functionality as that silly thing in the OP.
The other major consideration is the extremely narrow workflow that this can work in: namely, creative writing. Nearly everyone writing stuff for school or work requires access to other documents and sources of information to produce their work, which this doesn't allow for. That leaves just writers who are doing creative writing (such as a novel, journal, or screenplay). Those people exist for sure, but it still is an extremely limited device.
I'm also not crazy about this particular design. Your neck will be broken if you write a book while staring straight down pretty much at your keyboard, there are no dedicated arrow keys or mouse for quickly and easily manipulating text, and I think the screen is too small (although I love the e-ink idea).
It's certainly an interesting idea and makes for an interesting conversation about the way we use modern devices and some of the ways they can be overwhelming.
If you wanna complain about overpriced stuff, complain about 99% of people who ever bought an SUV or big house in the suburbs. Not to mention mechanical wristwatches, makeup, fancy clothes, fancy shoes, nice bicycles, every sportscar ever, golf clubs, Leica cameras and most DSLRs, many children�s toys, fancy silverware and dishes, pure-bred pets, &c. &c. &c.
I feel like describing this thing as hipster is as lazy as the designers have been in designing it...
I feel like describing this thing as hipster is as lazy as the designers have been in designing it...
What could be done to improve the design, in your opinion?
I feel like describing this thing as hipster is as lazy as the designers have been in designing it...
What could be done to improve the design, in your opinion?
Idk how I can be anything other than vague with my reply but:
Make it look like something new, not something trying to be something else
Design it to be cheaper
That's it. I'm making the e-writer where you can hook up your keyboard. Who's with me?
I feel like describing this thing as hipster is as lazy as the designers have been in designing it...
What could be done to improve the design, in your opinion?
Idk how I can be anything other than vague with my reply but:
Make it look like something new, not something trying to be something else
Design it to be cheaper
Nearly everything is built upon earlier designs. Not to say this is a bad thing, but we are influenced by things that we might not be aware of. The history of humans is building upon earlier ideas. I don't see that as something harmful to do, because it is what it is.
That's it. I'm making the e-writer where you can hook up your keyboard. Who's with me?
I would love this! Hack a Kindle paperwhite onto my mechanical keyboard and I will hand you my money.
1) Technology cannot replace discipline in any profession.
2) Innovation is creation of value - in some market - by implementing useful ideas, or by recombining old ones.
3) The assumption that a writer needs support to focus on the job, or that he/she is willing to pay for an overpriced digital typewriter is simple wrong.
4) This thing may have a market, where people perceive that its characteristics provide some value, and therefore are willing to pay for it, but surely that market is not made of writers.
As a person with an interest in both mechanical keyboards and typewriters, I am intrigued by any device that attempts to combine the two, which is why this product is persisting in my thoughts this morning. I wonder if a device with wifi, bluetooth, on-board storage, e-ink screen, and an USB slot for hooking up your own keyboard, but without an embedded keyboard, could be produced for a lower price and easier portability? Imagine an Amazon Kindle, but for the purpose of writing, not reading, and with a USB slot for a keyboard. Maybe the e-reader capabilities could be maintained, to draw in a bigger market. But ditch all the other distractions of our portable electronic devices. An attached keyboard will suck up battery life, but the device could have a beefed-up battery to deal with such energy drains.
That sort of device would have a limited market compared to e-readers, so I doubt a big company like Amazon would take the dive. I guess that's were entrepreneurs step in. Also, I understand that Nook mod does the same thing, but does not seem to have the e-ink screen or the battery life.
I showed the Hemingwrite to a co-worker and, being in her forties, she noted the device reminded her of word processing machines from her high school days, but with wifi and wireless capabilities.
1) Technology cannot replace discipline in any profession.
2) Innovation is creation of value - in some market - by implementing useful ideas, or by recombining old ones.
3) The assumption that a writer needs support to focus on the job, or that he/she is willing to pay for an overpriced digital typewriter is simple wrong.
4) This thing may have a market, where people perceive that its characteristics provide some value, and therefore are willing to pay for it, but surely that market is not made of writers.
For a successful product standpoint, all irrelevant if enough people think that a device will address the problem they have with discipline and concentration and are willing to pay for it. Disclaimer: I may not know what I'm talking about.
The kickstarter is killing it and the price ranges for buying the product at a discount are sold out, so it's definitely got some kind of market. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamleeb/hemingwrite-a-distraction-free-digital-typewriter/description (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamleeb/hemingwrite-a-distraction-free-digital-typewriter/description)
Idk how I can be anything other than vague with my reply but:
Make it look like something new, not something trying to be something else
Design it to be cheaper
As a person with an interest in both mechanical keyboards and typewriters, I am intrigued by any device that attempts to combine the two, which is why this product is persisting in my thoughts this morning. I wonder if a device with wifi, bluetooth, on-board storage, e-ink screen, and an USB slot for hooking up your own keyboard, but without an embedded keyboard, could be produced for a lower price and easier portability? Imagine an Amazon Kindle, but for the purpose of writing, not reading, and with a USB slot for a keyboard. Maybe the e-reader capabilities could be maintained, to draw in a bigger market. But ditch all the other distractions of our portable electronic devices. An attached keyboard will suck up battery life, but the device could have a beefed-up battery to deal with such energy drains.
That sort of device would have a limited market compared to e-readers, so I doubt a big company like Amazon would take the dive. I guess that's were entrepreneurs step in. Also, I understand that Nook mod does the same thing, but does not seem to have the e-ink screen or the battery life.
I showed the Hemingwrite to a co-worker and, being in her forties, she noted the device reminded her of word processing machines from her high school days, but with wifi and wireless capabilities.
I think you can simply use your existing mobile device (phone / tablet / ebook reader with some app capability) and use a compact mechanical keyboard and some good software. By that I mean that you can set the device to flight mode and / or the app can run fullscreen without notifications, etc bugging you. I envisage adding a slot to the back of the keyboard and a MicroUSB OTG plug to connect it, with a battery in the front of the keyboard as a counterweight (so it balances even with a "heavy" device like an Galaxy Tab or iPad in the slot and also when used on a lap) and to provide longer typing time. Ideally the board would be around 40% size and as compact as it can be while still using good mechanical switches.
I agree with you that a more multipurpose device has a larger market and that as a writer you don't want to have to lug extra stuff everywhere unless it truly impacts your ability to write in a big way. A good, familiar and easy to use compact mechanical keyboard could add enough value to be worth it. Can also be
I'd like to produce something like this and have actually started to design a layout for it, really minimal (36 keys or so), inspired the Hammond Varityper like the one Tolkien used to use :) I want to build at least one for my own use, maybe more if there are enough people interested.
1) Technology cannot replace discipline in any profession.
2) Innovation is creation of value - in some market - by implementing useful ideas, or by recombining old ones.
3) The assumption that a writer needs support to focus on the job, or that he/she is willing to pay for an overpriced digital typewriter is simple wrong.
4) This thing may have a market, where people perceive that its characteristics provide some value, and therefore are willing to pay for it, but surely that market is not made of writers.
For a successful product standpoint, all irrelevant if enough people think that a device will address the problem they have with discipline and concentration and are willing to pay for it. Disclaimer: I may not know what I'm talking about.
The kickstarter is killing it and the price ranges for buying the product at a discount are sold out, so it's definitely got some kind of market. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamleeb/hemingwrite-a-distraction-free-digital-typewriter/description (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamleeb/hemingwrite-a-distraction-free-digital-typewriter/description)
840 backers can hardly be called a representative demography for an American market, and they are not for a global one for sure. Maybe they are enticed for the novelty-"ness", and the coolness to be seen carrying around one uncommon gadget, that makes them to look somewhat like intellectuals. "Hemingwrite" evokes a master writer for example.
the thing I have against this entire ordeal is that it's ANTI ERGONOMIC..
FOrces you to look downwards at the tiny screen.. tiny keyboard screwing with people's shoulders and wrists
No one who ACTUALLY does alot of keyboarding should be considering this for those reasons alone..
the thing I have against this entire ordeal is that it's ANTI ERGONOMIC..
FOrces you to look downwards at the tiny screen.. tiny keyboard screwing with people's shoulders and wrists
No one who ACTUALLY does alot of keyboarding should be considering this for those reasons alone..
"tiny keyboard" -- where are you getting that? Oh right, you just made that up. "Forces you to look downward" -- you mean, like a laptop does? Also have you heard of touch typing? It's pretty amazing. I'm actually doing it right now. "Tiny screen" -- kind of the point. You're supposed to be typing, not noodling around on the screen.
Hey, if this thing isn't for you, that's great, don't buy it! But also maybe just admit that and move on from this "ordeal" instead of making up fake ergonomic arguments and disparaging people who might find it useful.
the thing I have against this entire ordeal is that it's ANTI ERGONOMIC..
FOrces you to look downwards at the tiny screen.. tiny keyboard screwing with people's shoulders and wrists
No one who ACTUALLY does alot of keyboarding should be considering this for those reasons alone..
"tiny keyboard" -- where are you getting that? Oh right, you just made that up. "Forces you to look downward" -- you mean, like a laptop does? Also have you heard of touch typing? It's pretty amazing. I'm actually doing it right now. "Tiny screen" -- kind of the point. You're supposed to be typing, not noodling around on the screen.
Hey, if this thing isn't for you, that's great, don't buy it! But also maybe just admit that and move on from this "ordeal" instead of making up fake ergonomic arguments and disparaging people who might find it useful.
If you know the basics of starting and running a business, you will know that picky trolls like us are not the target market or people that deserve the creator's attention. Focus on your target market.
the thing I have against this entire ordeal is that it's ANTI ERGONOMIC..
FOrces you to look downwards at the tiny screen.. tiny keyboard screwing with people's shoulders and wrists
No one who ACTUALLY does alot of keyboarding should be considering this for those reasons alone..
"tiny keyboard" -- where are you getting that? Oh right, you just made that up. "Forces you to look downward" -- you mean, like a laptop does? Also have you heard of touch typing? It's pretty amazing. I'm actually doing it right now. "Tiny screen" -- kind of the point. You're supposed to be typing, not noodling around on the screen.
Hey, if this thing isn't for you, that's great, don't buy it! But also maybe just admit that and move on from this "ordeal" instead of making up fake ergonomic arguments and disparaging people who might find it useful.
Actually, having to look down at a screen during a computing/typing experience is an important consideration for ergonomic purposes. The proper screen height allows you to look forward without looking up or down or sideways or diagonal or backwards or whatever. Just straight at the screen with your work at eye level and without strain on your neck from being in an uncomfortable position. From that standpoint, a laptop is completely unergonomic, because proper screen height means the keyboard is in a ridiculously high position for your arms, and proper keyboard position means the screen is too low. You might be able to feel the strain on your neck after a long laptop session.
What we are doing a lot of here is focusing on why this product does not fit our standards and why it will not be a commercial success. We probably are some of those trolls that are being discussed in the Kickstarter comments. If you know the basics of starting and running a business, you will know that picky trolls like us are not the target market or people that deserve the creator's attention. Focus on your target market.
I see one major boon of this product that nothing else on the market provides: a person can take a high-quality typing device into an off-grid situation for a couple weeks at summer camp or traveling or whatever, not worry about charging it up, envision themselves writing the next "For Emma, Forever Ago" or "Walden," save the work to the machine, and upload that baby into your home computer for editing when you get back to civilization.
I find it interesting that this product and other typewriter-inspired projects (Qwerkywriter, USB typewriter, mock typewriter keycaps) keep popping up. If I mention my typewriter collection to old folks, most people old enough to use typewriters despise the devices because of the frustration and inconvenience for editing and revising documents. Now we have younger generations for which typewriters are some nostalgic novelty of simpler times that they never lived in. Go figure.
Meanwhile, if you go back far enough in history, you will find many detractors of the typewriter, because handwriting purists feared it would product too much quantity without concern for quality. And now with computers, we do produce too much quantity and not enough quality, because no forethought is put into the writing with the ease of editing and revision that we can do later. I'm sure that if you read this far in my post, you would believe that I have too much quantity and not enough quality. My point exactly.
I am the human incarnation of an ergonomics-GODShow Image(http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/onion-head/smileys-onion-head-339828.jpg)
I am the human incarnation of an ergonomics-GODShow Image(http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/onion-head/smileys-onion-head-339828.jpg)
See, now you're just babbling. I'm done. Byeeeeeee
you're young and n00bish, I get it, but don't be ignorant of overwhelming evidence against your miniscule knowledge.
you're young and n00bish, I get it, but don't be ignorant of overwhelming evidence against your miniscule knowledge.
Sure, I'm "noobish" but you're a straight up internet troll and an *******.
this is wonderful, we are back on the playground calling each other names.
Actually, having to look down at a screen during a computing/typing experience is an important consideration for ergonomic purposes. The proper screen height allows you to look forward without looking up or down or sideways or diagonal or backwards or whatever. Just straight at the screen with your work at eye level and without strain on your neck from being in an uncomfortable position. From that standpoint, a laptop is completely unergonomic, because proper screen height means the keyboard is in a ridiculously high position for your arms, and proper keyboard position means the screen is too low. You might be able to feel the strain on your neck after a long laptop session.There seems to be some disagreement about this.
dchadwick, are you a shill for this product, or what? tp4 notwithstanding, you can't seem to stand even the slightest criticism of the product's design or implementation. I think it's a novel product, that probably has a valid purpose within a very niche market. But it's not a perfect piece of technology, by any means.
Anyway, true hipster would simply buy a manual typewriter and carry that along to the coffee shop to do some distraction-free writing. Excellent mechanical interface, with a built-in printer to produce easily readable hard copy output. Energy saving design, with Energy Star certification rating.
Don’t worry dchadwick, if you hang out around here you’ll get used to tp4 soon enough. As trolls go, he’s a pretty mild one, he often has interesting things to say, and it’s unlikely that he’ll change or leave anytime soon, so the folks here learn to tolerate him and even appreciate his, erm, unique style. In any event, he’s really not worth working yourself up about.you're young and n00bish, I get it, but don't be ignorant of overwhelming evidence against your miniscule knowledge.
Sure, I'm "noobish" but you're a straight up internet troll and an *******.
Anyway, true hipster would simply buy a manual typewriter and carry that along to the coffee shop to do some distraction-free writing. Excellent mechanical interface, with a built-in printer to produce easily readable hard copy output. Energy saving design, with Energy Star certification rating.
Actually, having to look down at a screen during a computing/typing experience is an important consideration for ergonomic purposes. The proper screen height allows you to look forward without looking up or down or sideways or diagonal or backwards or whatever. Just straight at the screen with your work at eye level and without strain on your neck from being in an uncomfortable position. From that standpoint, a laptop is completely unergonomic, because proper screen height means the keyboard is in a ridiculously high position for your arms, and proper keyboard position means the screen is too low. You might be able to feel the strain on your neck after a long laptop session.There seems to be some disagreement about this.
See https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63234
Anyway, true hipster would simply buy a manual typewriter and carry that along to the coffee shop to do some distraction-free writing. Excellent mechanical interface, with a built-in printer to produce easily readable hard copy output. Energy saving design, with Energy Star certification rating.
Distraction-free for you, but not for everyone else. And tell my Selectric that it's an energy saver.
Idk how I can be anything other than vague with my reply but:
Make it look like something new, not something trying to be something else
Design it to be cheaper
The form factor to me seems more or less appropriate. I mean, how many different shapes could a thing built around a keyboard and a screen have? It looks like a typewriter, and is trying to evoke the form and function of one. Seems to line up pretty well with the design goals. Speaking of the keyboard (and the price) they could easily have shaved a BUNCH off the price by putting whatever cheapo membrane keyboard onto it but they didn't. IF I was in the market for this thing, I would not be wanting them to make it $100 cheaper by skimping on the hardware.
Anyway, true hipster would simply buy a manual typewriter and carry that along to the coffee shop to do some distraction-free writing. Excellent mechanical interface, with a built-in printer to produce easily readable hard copy output. Energy saving design, with Energy Star certification rating.
Distraction-free for you, but not for everyone else. And tell my Selectric that it's an energy saver.
Haha I meant more along the lines of an old Remington, Royal, Olympus, etc. Real manual keyboards, not electrics. :)
And people think Model Ms are loud
Anyway, true hipster would simply buy a manual typewriter and carry that along to the coffee shop to do some distraction-free writing. Excellent mechanical interface, with a built-in printer to produce easily readable hard copy output. Energy saving design, with Energy Star certification rating.
Distraction-free for you, but not for everyone else. And tell my Selectric that it's an energy saver.Actually, having to look down at a screen during a computing/typing experience is an important consideration for ergonomic purposes. The proper screen height allows you to look forward without looking up or down or sideways or diagonal or backwards or whatever. Just straight at the screen with your work at eye level and without strain on your neck from being in an uncomfortable position. From that standpoint, a laptop is completely unergonomic, because proper screen height means the keyboard is in a ridiculously high position for your arms, and proper keyboard position means the screen is too low. You might be able to feel the strain on your neck after a long laptop session.There seems to be some disagreement about this.
See https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63234
Interesting. The tilt of the screen definitely has an effect. All I know is that my neck hurts from screens are too low/not enough tilt. But research with a population of 1 isn't worth much.
Fortunately, there have been lots of studies looking at the effect of looking downwards on your neck. Here's an interpretation of one of the most recent and in-depth studies I know of: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2014/nov/24/text-neck-how-smartphones-damaging-our-spines (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2014/nov/24/text-neck-how-smartphones-damaging-our-spines)Did you bother reading the “study” cited there? It in no way supports your assertion.
[...] This device with it's small screen right against the keyboard will be absolutely atrocious in terms of ergonomics.
A model of the cervical spine was created with realistic values in Cosmosworks, a finite element assessment package. Calculations were made and then forces were extracted in newtons and then converted into pounds. We made the calculations using neck + head,
As a person with an interest in both mechanical keyboards and typewriters, I am intrigued by any device that attempts to combine the two, which is why this product is persisting in my thoughts this morning. I wonder if a device with wifi, bluetooth, on-board storage, e-ink screen, and an USB slot for hooking up your own keyboard, but without an embedded keyboard, could be produced for a lower price and easier portability? Imagine an Amazon Kindle, but for the purpose of writing, not reading, and with a USB slot for a keyboard. Maybe the e-reader capabilities could be maintained, to draw in a bigger market. But ditch all the other distractions of our portable electronic devices. An attached keyboard will suck up battery life, but the device could have a beefed-up battery to deal with such energy drains.
That sort of device would have a limited market compared to e-readers, so I doubt a big company like Amazon would take the dive. I guess that's were entrepreneurs step in. Also, I understand that Nook mod does the same thing, but does not seem to have the e-ink screen or the battery life.
I showed the Hemingwrite to a co-worker and, being in her forties, she noted the device reminded her of word processing machines from her high school days, but with wifi and wireless capabilities.
I think you can simply use your existing mobile device (phone / tablet / ebook reader with some app capability) and use a compact mechanical keyboard and some good software. By that I mean that you can set the device to flight mode and / or the app can run fullscreen without notifications, etc bugging you. I envisage adding a slot to the back of the keyboard and a MicroUSB OTG plug to connect it, with a battery in the front of the keyboard as a counterweight (so it balances even with a "heavy" device like an Galaxy Tab or iPad in the slot and also when used on a lap) and to provide longer typing time. Ideally the board would be around 40% size and as compact as it can be while still using good mechanical switches.
I agree with you that a more multipurpose device has a larger market and that as a writer you don't want to have to lug extra stuff everywhere unless it truly impacts your ability to write in a big way. A good, familiar and easy to use compact mechanical keyboard could add enough value to be worth it. Can also be
I'd like to produce something like this and have actually started to design a layout for it, really minimal (36 keys or so), inspired the Hammond Varityper like the one Tolkien used to use :) I want to build at least one for my own use, maybe more if there are enough people interested.
To clarify: would you design a device to include a keyboard?
I'm sure you know, but plenty of apps are available that create an uncluttered and distraction-free writing experience on your device. But they don't offer the more visually pleasing e-ink screen and long battery life.
I'm simply theorizing here, but I wonder if the majority of potential buyers of would prefer a device with or without a keyboard. Without an attached keyboard, it reduces costs, you don't have to worry about those extra moving parts breaking down, added flexibility for the typist, and most people are not picky about the keyboard they use, so why jack up the entry price with an integrated expensive mechanical keyboard? With the integrated keyboard, you have everything in one device, I am sure that many people would prefer to have everything in one device for convenience's sake and they are not too picky about the type of keyboard.
Dear Oobly: Do you have a layout for the mini board you are developing?, or maybe you have a render?. If you do, it may be a good idea to open an "interested thread" just for the sake of getting other users input.
Dear Oobly: Do you have a layout for the mini board you are developing?, or maybe you have a render?. If you do, it may be a good idea to open an "interested thread" just for the sake of getting other users input.
Here's a rough first draft:http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/14856d7a527ded5b003552b45a5204e0
The original concept had the Sym and Fig keys either side of the spacebar and no Ctrl or Alt. It'll be fully programmable, with 2 function layers (Sym and Fig), so all numbers and symbols can be typed. You can even create macros for things like copy / paste, etc.
It should have a micro USB socket to hook it to a PC (in which case the PC charges the battery and it can be used as a keyboard at the same time) or charger to charge the battery. Then it'll have a Micro USB OTG cable with 90 degree plug to hook up to whatever device you choose to use it with. The groove at the top will be rubber lined so you can simply rest the tablet / phone in the slot, plug in the cable and start typing. The cable will be looped once in a loose loop inside the case so it can extend to whatever height the USB port is on the device without getting in the way / being messy.
For Android devices there could be a version with a Trackpoint also. I may consider a more solid way of securing the device so it is more of a unit when in use and the user doesn't have to worry about their device separating from the main unit.
...
No tab key on that layout?
Oops.. As I said, it's a rough first draft. Here's an updated one: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/1c1bd9f4e3dec57b95517d11263913a2
Oops.. As I said, it's a rough first draft. Here's an updated one: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/1c1bd9f4e3dec57b95517d11263913a2
Looks like a JD40 ;D
Which was designed around those old 3-bank typewriter keyboards, anyway...
Biggest difference is the extra key to the right of "L" and use of all 1x keycaps except spacebar. This allows it to be set up for a larger choice of layouts (Dvorak, Colemak, etc) and the use of more keycap sets (if they offer a few extra 1x blanks / novelties).