Comments on: Unclutter your writing with self-imposed limitations

By: Rachelskirts

Rachelskirts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:22:11 +0000

WriteMonkey is one of the best distraction-free text editors I’ve found, and I use it constantly to write my blog entries. With MS Word and even Google Docs, I find myself spending all my time messing with margins and colors and fonts instead of putting together sentences. I’m so glad that programmers understand that and put out such lovely alternatives!

By: JenK

JenK — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:21:38 +0000

This reminds me of how I used to boot DOS and write performance reviews in Edit.

By: metadet

metadet — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:12:45 +0000

I struggled to find a simpler writing tool last year when I had some free time between jobs.

I prefer the old method of handwriting on a notepad, but then there is the extra work of transcribing into a computer. I wanted a simple keyboard and readable LCD screen, not a laptop.

I wanted a device that would go directly to my writing when I hit the power button, no operating system bootup, PC clutter, or other aggravations. Just a writing tool.

I bought a used Palm Pilot and foldup keyboard off ebay for about $60 total. It also connect to the PC with a USB cable and automatically updates any files. The combo works ok for simple writing, though the Neo looks closer to what I wanted ergonomically. Wish I had seen it sooner. The Palm also has other functions, such as contact software, calendar, etc. but I don’t use these. Just want to write.

Also, on the topic of simplicity, for years I have used one Word text file as my PDA. It contains calendars for the current and next few months (pasted from http://timeanddate.com) and my list of short and long term tasks. I print this out and carry in my pocket, using as a notepad when I get a brilliant idea.

By: iztok

iztok — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:16:27 +0000

Try also distraction free writing software Writemonkey at http://pomarancha.com/writemonkey. Some cool features …
i.

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:53:34 +0000

I have an AlphaSmart Dana, and I love it to pieces. I’ve written well over ten novels on it, probably more, and it’s still going strong. When it finally dies, I will buy another one. I use it ALL the time.

I flirted with switching to an XO laptop, but the battery life really wasn’t up to par. I ended up selling mine, and I haven’t regretted that decision yet.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:42:40 +0000

@Roy Jacobsen:

Q10 (http://baara.com/q10/) is the new love of my life. Thank you!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:56:01 +0000

Just a note to say that a Neo or similar would be an amazing tool for someone who takes a lot of minutes/notes at meetings for work! I’m currently working as an admin and would love one of these to take to the meetings I attend.

By: Mathieu Tozer

Mathieu Tozer — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:37:25 +0000

I wrote so very much on my Newton eMate, 10 years after it had been discontinued, for all the reasons you stated. Highly recommended if you can find one!

By: drew loewe

drew loewe — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:01:35 +0000

LyX is the answer for me. Free, powerful, open-source, and gorgeous output to .pdf from tiny text files.

http://www.lyx.org

By: Chet

Chet — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:30:50 +0000

Greetings from a 10-year AlphaSmart user from Malaysia. The great thing about AlphaSmart is that it lets you concentrate on your writing physically away from a computer.

The various alternatives mentioned here are still found in a computer, so the distractions are still there – to go and check email, chat with friends on IMs, play a game, etc. True, we can resist, but all these distractions are still there in the same machine. True, we can switch off the Internet but it is always within easy reach for us to turn it back on.

On the other hand, the AlphaSmart is a stand-alone machine that can take you physically away from the computer to go and write somewhere pleasant. AlphaSmart users have always enjoyed being able to write away from the desk (as in the standard environment that we usually write in), but today, after reading this article and the comments, I realised that AlphaSmart really lets me write away from the computer. Sure, a laptop will also let me write away from the desk, but not from the usual computer distractions. The AlphaSmart does. And it’s a great machine which does one thing and does it really well.

Disclaimer: I am not an AlphaSmart employee, altho I have previously been a moderator on the now defunct online AlphaSmart Community Center. We do have a group on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart/), and you are welcome to visit with any questions you may have. Thank you.

By: Mer

Mer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:31:59 +0000

I don’t need fancy tricks, I just tell myself that when I get the required output for the day completed, I can surf all I want.

By: MJ

MJ — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:09:37 +0000

“At some point in our technological past we perfected word processing. Every feature since then seems to have subtracted from the experience.”

I did love Word 5.2 for the Mac. I once reported a bug in the Equation Editor that had never been reported. This was back when telephone support still came free with the software, and the guy on the other end of the line was so excited about getting an unreported bug.

I’ve still got it on a Mac Classic that is unfortunately not as portable as a Neo… maybe I should look on eBay for one of those Classic-sized backpacks they used to sell. Of course, I’m not sure I’ve got anything else with a floppy drive anymore, so my immortal prose might end up stuck forever on the Classic’s approx. 180MB hard drive.

By: Terry Finley

Terry Finley — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:32:04 +0000

Are you saying that we writers
are just plain spoiled and do
not have to think enough?
If so, I agree.

By: John

John — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:50:50 +0000

We used to use something exactly like the alphasmart about 10 years ago or so when I was in middle school. I think it had a few more “function” buttons but this is not the first product of its kind for sure. I believe the ones we used you plugged into the keyboard outlet and it just spat all the text out with the push of a button.

The advantage of not using a laptop is if your writing refers to other documents you might want open at the time, or a paper for school where you’re doing research online. And not being able to see whole paragraphs might be odd for me.

By: Elizabeth Fischer

Elizabeth Fischer — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:42:14 +0000

Sorry. Superduh. Can order from manufacturer direct.

By: Elizabeth Fischer

Elizabeth Fischer — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:39:45 +0000

I can’t believe how much I want this. I have been accused of being a Luddite so many times and this week I have ordered an Ipod and want this thing! I need it! But I googled for it and can’t find where to buy it, other than on Ebay, which I don’t think I have the patience for right now. Any hints?

P.S. Topmate–you so funny! I have been noting the hyperabundance of unitaskers in life itself since that funny post a while back.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:59:20 +0000

I’m chiming in about the Alphasmart as well (I think my version is earlier than the Neo.) I don’t like to really compose something or edit on it, but I love it for “freewriting,” when I’m just trying to get something flowing, or when I’m taking notes. If I’m going on a long trip and want to keep a diary, little editing, it’s perfect.

For my Mac, I have a program called Backdrop that puts up a solid background so I can see anything else on the screen except the one program I’m working on. That way I’m not distracted by icons, toolbars, etc.

By: llyra

llyra — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:55:47 +0000

One of the few things I like about the Microsoft Office Word 2007 is that when you double-click on the name of the separator you are using (ex. base, maillings, etc…) you get a blank page and the whole toolbar disappears.

By: Sue B

Sue B — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:36:10 +0000

If you want to return to Word Perfect 5.1 for purity of word processing ( I liked 6.1 and 8 myself, Love live Reveal Codes , death to Word! anyway, as I was saying) go to Help, Index and type in Classic. Depending on your version you accomplish the task different ways. In X3 the setup is as follows:

To enable in the Classic mode environment

In WordPerfect, click Tools Settings.
Click Environment.
Click the Theme tab.
Enable the Classic mode (WP 5.1) check box.
Click on OK and Close.

In 8 you have to pull out the install disk and set up the Classic Theme. But there you go, no need for another machine and you have the most useful Blue Screen ever. Sue B

By: Berin Kinsman

Berin Kinsman — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:24:29 +0000

I’ve had an Alphasmart for years, an older model predating the Neo, and I love it. I cannot live without it. It’s indestructible; what sold me on it was the marketing literature that told how people took it on climbs up K2 and on the Iditarod. It’s sturdy. It runs forever on common batteries. The only issue I have is that curious people in coffee shops want to come over and chat me up because they don’t know what it is.