Finally got my Jornada P6 assembled!
The first prototype is now together, and I’m happy to say that the basic functionality is working. The original HP Jornada keyboard feels great, and it’s pretty satisfying to finally type on something I’ve been designing and tweaking for months.
There are still a few minor issues with the 3D-printed enclosure, mostly some fit and finish details, but nothing that gets in the way of actually using it. I also haven’t painted the case yet, so this is still the raw printed finish.
Next up is refining the enclosure, fixing those little imperfections, and getting a proper paint job done.
Still a work in progress, but it’s finally starting to feel like a real little writing machine!

the monitor is xteink x4 original with ardosia custom firmware. my magnetic keeb folio is actually for my ipad.

cosmo communicator with a minimal markdown writing app i wrote for it.

heya yall,

Found a pretty old laptop from my parents. It was collecting dust.

1gb RAM

b-b-b-ut 120 gb storage RPM SATA :0

Not necessarily straight up from ground zero "DIY", just proud I was able to find a distro adequate to run the machine (did some quick reserach on reddit and most were suggesting to give up due to the ram, T-T). Saw the potential of the memory (damn you current AI prices) for a specific writing device + pdf reader - like a heavy notebook for home. Since it is pretty old, idk, feel like I'm traveling to another dimension + add the linux part and I'm like walking in a fairytale forest. By default, the laptop does not have wifi, so even less to doomscroll unless I figure out how to install palemoon browser for this linux. Tho, even so, due to the ram, one tab might be the upmost limit for the wifi. haha.

I was waiting for ages for a cheaper, portable option that did what I wanted, but nothing really did. So, I picked up the DM250US. So far I like it, but I'm slightly annoyed by it deciding apostrophes are the end of a word and wrap the following letter to the next line, but it's a minor gripe that won't affect final formatting, so I can deal.

Keyboard isn't bad. Feels mostly like a generic laptop chiclet keyboard except a little smaller. Takes a minor amount of adjustment, but I was typing fine after a few minutes.

I still feel like it's overpriced for what it is, but nothing cheaper that also ticked all the boxes for my needs came along.

Hi all, lurker mainly, and I know from reading posts, my Boox Lumi Gen II doesn’t technically count, but I’d like a little leeway for a moment.

I am a GenX nerd. I remember my first typewriter… been in technology since 1980… so I’ve had my various versions of what you call a WriterDesk… from the early computers, to the lunchboxes, and all the PDAs of a bygone era (yes, still own my Clie’).

I was watching eink tech grow since the early 2018s, until I finally bought my first eink tablet.

The joy of writing digitally is impressive… I’m an old fountain pen and blank book cat… but at some point it gets reread and made digital…

Sure, I can break out a (cough) nice mechanical keyboard, and lean on my 120+wpm… but is it really pleasure typing?

But to slow down and write… and it’s digital… pure joy!

I’m impressed by all the cool tech that everyone posts… my eyes on those micro eink screens, just reminds me of my old Tandy LCD luggable… kinda wished I still had that, just to DIY it into something… I know, different group… different post.

So my 10.3” Lumi II, it’s my WriterDesk.

Thanks for the read.

Hi,

Has anyone made an editing deck?

Like used it for editing their drafts, and maybe even programmed spell check or a set of writing rules into it (idk what to call it), to help with editing?

I'm not good with tech stuff, but I've been dreaming of a writer deck for a long time, but I'm not drafting anything rn, I'm editing.

So I've been curious if there are any distraction free editing decks out in the world:)

Ps I'm really crafty and like to learn doing new things, would be cool to try making one.

Thanks for reading my brain dump

Okay y'all, I discovered the concept of the writerdeck last weekend while poking around the internet for distraction-free devices. I'm on a budget and love a good problem-solving project, so I began thinking about what I have at my disposal. I was very inspired by this sub! It's delightful to discover a community rallied around solving the same (rather niche) issue XD

A few rabbit holes later, I discovered the world of Kindle modding, which I also didn't know was a thing. I had one sitting around that I rarely use. And so, jailbreaking and modding this thing consumed my every thought for a couple of days.

After several hours of mucking around and finding out, I've got this. It is a Paperwhite 10th generation, jailbroken with Springbreak, with the following apps installed:

- Koreader
- Minifolio
- HID bluetooth passthrough
- AdBreak (no more lock screen ads, heck yeah)

As the title suggests, I've been using it with my lap desk, which I already had for use with my laptop and drawing tablet. I have a non-slip pad on it, which is extremely helpful.

I'll be tinkering with a desktop setup as well. This is where I might actually spend a few bucks on a "holder" of some kind to bring the Kindle up to an ergonomic height. But anyway, being able to switch from desk to couch is a must due to neck problems, even with the best ergonomics.

And, I'll likely get a new keyboard. I've had this one kicking around for a while and it does the job for now, but I'd like something more compact.

I've already rambled enough, but shout if you want any info about the Kindle modding, or anything else :)

I have been posting results of my attempts to make ergonomic mobile lap writing workflows using small display devices and Bluetooth keyboards.

A common hardware store finished plank size is 5.5 inches wide. This supports standard small width (some call it 75%) keyboards. For serious writing production one would want at least that much finger typing space. My last post shows this with an Omikamo folding keyboard and folding lap tray that could fit in a daypack.

If you are really "serious" about writing then a better quality keyboard ($100) would be a worthwhile investment. For general mobile app use a cheap keyboard is fine.

My fantasy is an almost pocketable writing setup that I could whip out while traveling and do some productive wordplay. You never know when genius might strike and you gotta share it with the world.

A smaller common slat size is 3.5". With a piano hinge a 16 inch length can be turned into an 8" folding keyboard support. For this example I used oak 1/4" thick so it is thin but stiff. Using the magnetic ring holders described in my last post this is a sturdy platform for holding a device and keyboard. I tricked it out with cork sheet which dampens keyboard mounting nicely. A decent trackball completes the ensemble.

Photo 2 shows the keyboard tray opened up with the magnetic ring holder mounted. Photo 3 shows the folded units.

For stability the keyboard should not be wider than the keyboard tray. I searched for a folding keyboard that would fit the 3.5" slat. I bought the one in the photos for $14. There are a half dozen Amazon vendors selling the same unit. It measures 3.4 inches wide and fits on the slat nicely. With a small device like a phone or e-ink it's a very comfortable writing setup. The first photo shows the setup with a Moto G phone. Photo 4 shows it with a Boox 7. The magnetic ring stand allows center of gravity adjustment so the tray doesn't rock or tip.

About the keyboard : it folds nice and is very compact. Typing is not bad for a $14 device. If you are just in need of a hardware keyboard for your Android device then it is adequate.

Unfortunately on this particular version some non-standard key assignments make it less useful for DOSwriter, my minimalist writing app. See photo 5.

My app uses standard terminal and desktop keyboard assignments. The Escape key is important to my app. On this keyboard (and several other compact keyboards in this price range) the Escape key requires an additional Function key to perform the escape key command.

On the top row the keyboard has a useless ".com" key and the Backspace is too small. A better design would be a dedicated Esc key and wider Backspace. Also there is no Delete key, which could fit in a better layout.

The Arrow keys are too small and cramped to the left. There is also a useless "Win" key taking up space in the bottom row.

I don't mean to be overly critical. This may be an older version. It just happens to fit the form factor perfectly.

Photo 6 shows another folding keyboard layout in the same price range. It's an improvement but also suffers from the Function-Escape annoyance. At around 4 inches wide it is just slightly wide than the 3.5" slat. I might try one out.

Lastly, some readers have asked about using a trackball on Boox e-inks. I have used trackballs for years and find them superior to mice or keyboard trackpads. The last photo shows me using the Boox setup with a Nulea trackball to view a map of Davenport, Iowa, the birthplace of Bix Beiderbecke.

There is some lag on the Boox but it's still useable. A backlit tablet is superior for navigating the web but the Boox is adequate if that is all you want to carry.

I also improved trackball integration with my app for better text document scrolling and selection. If minimalist yet powerful text writing on Android devices and e-inks is your thing you might want to check it out : doswriter.com

Yes: it's what it seems to be. An Alphasmart Neo 2 sending text as an external keyboard to a Freewrite Traveler. You can also type directly from the Neo to the Traveler. I guess it doesn't make that much sense, but doing it like this lets you wirelessly backup your Neo writings to Astrohaus' free Postbox service.

You can do the same with the BYOK and their Studio service.

I don't know if the Neo2 is an appex predator or a parasite in this setup, but I'm glad to know that it can adapt to newer technologies without problems.

This is probably very basic stuff, but I’m just starting out and looking to build a handheld writer deck.

From what I’ve read online, the best setup for me would be a PiSugar 3 powering a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 and a Pimoroni Hyperpixel touchscreen.

My question is about the build. Is it a sandwich situation with the Raspberry Pi in the middle of the battery and the screen? Is that easy to achieve, or does it need soldering? I haven’t soldered since high school, but it's definitely something I’m capable of, though ideally I’d like to avoid it.

My end goal is a writerdeck I can carry around like a Game Boy (but bigger), so I’d like to use the least amount of space possible, which is why I’m hoping that stacking the components is a viable option.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Bonus points if clicky :D Anyone thinking of selling?

Very proud of this and just wanted to show it off to the community! :)

It's essentially an ESP32 e-ink board (CrowPanel) I bought online, paired with a battery and a few resistors, all housed in a 3D-printed case. I also wrote custom firmware for it, so I can add whatever features I want. For example, it can display a writing prompt (pic 3) or cover image (pic 1) when the device goes to sleep!

Hello guys.
I’m pleased to show you my writer deck updates.

Main updates
- The keyboard has been split into two mainly for its mobility, compactness and flexible typing posture
- Large trackpad takes the place between each halves which enables five finger taps and gestures
- M5 paper mono are adopted instead of discontinued m5 paper v1.1
- Solar OS is implemented instead of fully scratched firmware

Keyboards and pad are not intended to be
used only for writer deck but PC

Thank you🤓

I finally have some free time to do the beloved micro-journal rehousing mod on my Neo2 because I am trying to not purchase a BYOK at the moment, and instead use what I have (me and my local library 3D-Printer). One way to increase my use of the device was to do the mod and print out the pieces... but the mod files are now gone!

I came across the Whale Writer and upon research I realized that the materials for the hardware are very accessible in my country and now I want to try making it. My issue is with the software. I have no idea how to flash a software into the esp32. And also I read from the creator of the whale writer that the software was still rough and needs some work, so do I still use that software?

AFAIK the Freewrites get the current date using the Internet connection. They don't have/use an internal timer/calendar and, therefore, if you don't have Internet connection, they keep the date from the latest successful one.

Therefore, if you're on the go and don't have an Internet connection, when you get it back, everything gets synced to that previous connection date, accumulating all your drafts in a sole date, no matter when you really wrote them.

It could easily broke your "day streak" in Postbox, but the most important part is that the real draft's date gets lost. So, in order to work properly, you need Internet connection with your Freewrites. Say bye-bye to that dream of going away without Internet coverage just with your Astrohaus device to write.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

• found this original digital diary at a local op shop for only $5!
• the lovely employee claimed it didn't work / didn't switch on, but wasn't educated enough about it to tell me anything else. so i took the risk, paid the $5 and took this bad boy home!
• turns out the poor guy just needed some batteries. so after putting 3 C2032 batteries in, we had life!
• the screen lit up and displayed an, extremely stubborn, error message - as shown in the final photo. i just factory reset the device, and was finally able to bring this funky little guy from 1995 to 2026!

side note: i tried to show my 15-year-old brother my latest find, and after instantly receiving a "what's that?" in response, i explained what it was and all of it's functions to which he replied "but you have a phone that can do all of that!"

New problem! I had asked earlier for a good portable writing device for writing in the dark and after considering y'all's very good suggestions, found my iPad did well enough for what I was trying to do. However! Now I can't stand to look at screens at all because I guess I've been spending too much time outside (god forbid) and my tolerance for screentime has tanked by a LOT.

So now I'm curious. What's a good full keyboard deck that has a non-computer screen / no blue light, with editing capabilities (ie I can backspace, select, copy-paste, etc.), and preferably has reliable saving functions / internet connection / cloud support so I don't lose my work?

Ideally, it would be under $200, but I'm not too worried about that yet—I just want to know what my options are. I want to write more! But looking at a screen hurts my head so bad these days 😭

Also, I'm aware this is prob ably a question that's been asked a million times, but I'm new, so if I tread any lines, just kindly direct me to better resources. Thanks again!

EDIT: Something that allows big text would be awesome as well.