An idea for a standalone (no PC) board

[blastoid]

There are times when I would like to take notes without disturbing anyone around me. Sometimes, those scenarios exist in almost total darkness, where any sort of screen is unacceptable. (Movie theater, play, comedy show, etc.)

If you're not familiar with AlphaSmart devices, they're basically a standalone word processor with a full keyboard. You can create/edit documents (with little no to formatting) on the go, then when you're back at a PC, you connect the USB and "send" the data to the PC. (The device is detected as a keyboard, so "sending" basically amounts to emulating a very fast typist.)

I'm envisioning a device that would work much like an AlphaSmart, but be much more portable, no screen, just a keyboard in the 40-45% range. (As a Dvorak typist, only the JD45 and MiniVan layouts would work for me, as I kinda need S and Z for typing.) It would need to be absolutely silent, and you would obviously need to be able to touch-type. I'm thinking that you switch it on, and then just type away, stream-of-consciousness style, with little ability to edit other than backspacing. When you're back at a PC, you connect it, open up Word or Notepad or Vim, and it dumps the contents for you to review.

I'm pretty sure nothing like this exists, right? Would this interest anyone other than me? Granted, it's a pretty niche use case. Although, it would be neat to plop a 45% solo board on your lap in a meeting, you'd get some funny looks.

[SpAmRaY]

https://getfreewrite.com/

[blastoid]

Oh, cool, I hadn't heard of FreeWrite. It seems like turning off the light would work for being able to use it in darkness, though it's about 5x bigger than the one in my head. I'm thinking of something that could be easily slipped into a purse or bag.

[chuckdee]

Funny coincidence, I had experience with using the Alphasmart Neo 2 over the weekend - I bought a couple for $25 each a while ago, but this was my first time trying to seriously use it, and I was impressed.  From battery size and life (a few double A's and still going) to screen legibility to keyboard feel (it seems to use the scissor switch you see on laptops), it's a winner to me.  You can plug it into your PC and use it as a keyboard if you will, which gives some indication as to how the transfer goes; you have a fixed number of files (they're apparently stored as text files on the device), and if you open the file, then connect to your PC, and open something to take the text input, it re-types your document in the application that you've chosen.

I have a Surface Pro 4, and that's what I use to write on the run, but this thing is durable and usable, so I took it to the drive in and worked while waiting for showtime, and as a single use writing keyboard, it's hard to beat, and I could easily transport it in my bag.  And for the size and use, the keyboard is a pretty good size  IMO.

[blastoid]

You know what? Screw it, I just bought a Neo2. Even if it doesn't fit the bill for what I'm looking for, it's still a neat thing to have for $27. Maybe I'll work on hacking a Raspberry Pi Zero into a MiniVan or something one day, but that'll cost at least 20x as much.

[tp4tissue]

Um...

While I can understand the desire for a non-net diary..

The more practical way of achieving this would be to buy a tablet, rip out its antennas,  and hook up your own favorite keyboard..



The issue with most of these current iterations, is that the screen is quite small..  some squinting required..  and squinting gives you wrinkles.. OMG....

[blastoid]

The issue with most of these current iterations, is that the screen is quite small..  some squinting required..  and squinting gives you wrinkles.. OMG....

Sorry if it wasn't clear from the get-go, but I'm actually thinking of something with no screen at all. Pure stream-of-consciousness typing in the dark.

Seems like I'm the only one who would find this useful, though.

[tp4tissue]

The issue with most of these current iterations, is that the screen is quite small..  some squinting required..  and squinting gives you wrinkles.. OMG....

Sorry if it wasn't clear from the get-go, but I'm actually thinking of something with no screen at all. Pure stream-of-consciousness typing in the dark.

Seems like I'm the only one who would find this useful, though.

Hrrrmm?

If that's the case.. why not just blindfold yourself..

hahahahahahhaa...  seems like you're looking to do this in the most complicated way possible, when the solution is right infront of you ?

[tp4tissue]

OK, I actually read ur op just now..


Why not just go on your phone,  turn on recorder..    close your eyes,  and start dictating..   I mean, that's perfectly silent..


You can't generate meaningful text faster than you can speak.

[chuckdee]

You know what? Screw it, I just bought a Neo2. Even if it doesn't fit the bill for what I'm looking for, it's still a neat thing to have for $27. Maybe I'll work on hacking a Raspberry Pi Zero into a MiniVan or something one day, but that'll cost at least 20x as much.

It is actually a cool idea, and I'd thought about doing something similar, but also putting the LCD on it, but after getting the Neo2, and especially the robustness of it (my wife dropped it out of the car by accident while we were at the drive-in, and it showed no evidence of it) I dropped the idea.  I was going to use the Onion2 or the CHIP with my MiniVan or JD45.