This is a cool hack, but what I really want is a hardware calculator keypad that interfaces with the iphone. There are some great calculator apps but it's just not usable at speed without physical keys. You could do a nice case with the keypad on the inside and the phone in landscape.
Is that something you would pay for? Physical interfaces and keys are something of an obsession of mine (I don't use any keyboards that don't have Cherry MX switches, for example).
It should be easy to adapt any modern (must put spaces between these two words) typewriter. After all, they are all nothing more than very small computers with a daisy-wheel printer built in.
I've been looking for this for nearly a decade with no luck. Around 2007 I found a daisywheel typewriter with a floppy drive, but the carriage was broken.
I still use a typewriter. It's quicker to just bang out an address on an envelope than it is to load the sticky labels into the printer, open the word processor, type the address, then print it.
Looks to be a very interesting idea. In fact, I do want one. Buuuuut, I'd have to wonder with those prices for the full models and DIY kits if he is not overcharging by several hundred dollars. True, you're buying a piece of tech for its look and feel more than functionality, but as a guy who's actually bought, played with, and used old style typewriter, $700 is a bit much for anyone.
Could any enthusiasts (I consider myself an amateur) weigh in?
Looks like for your money you get a typewriter (presumably refurbished), a display and the electronics. As you noted, he sells a DIY kit if you want to provide your own screen and typewriter (with an estimated assembly/install time of 6-7 hours for an experienced person.
Actually sounds like a fair price to me. But perhaps you are used to getting your electronics assembled overseas on a massive scale by (essentially) slave labour.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82254797/usb-typewriter-computer... I own this exact typewriter. I bought it a few years ago for $20. Now, if you have the money to spend, perhaps for a gift, and you don't feel confident that you can find a good typewriter and assemble it yourself, $700 might be worth it to you.
I may be in the minority that actually might purchase one of these.
I still use a typewriter for all my prose (currently an Olivetti) for the one dumb reason that it's the only way I've found to stop myself from editing my writing as I write it.
I'd been contemplating picking up a refurbished Selectric (as just the hum that emits after turning it on brings back wonderful memories), but this would have the added benefit of also making a digital copy (which I do at some point want for editing).
This seems to be a nice project todo in your spare time. Buying it? No thanks, I don't see how this will benefit me. Selling these for 500$+ ? You must be joking.
Wow, a bunch of switches that work like a bunch of switches. Groundbreaking!! If there are 101 keys, there must be like 102 wires involved in this project! Call NASA! Hire this guy!
[+] [-] tjmc|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tripzilch|14 years ago|reply
(I assume that some models also include the ()-=+ keys for completeness)
[+] [-] alnayyir|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] cturner|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rbanffy|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Terretta|14 years ago|reply
If you find something, let me know!
[+] [-] spiralganglion|14 years ago|reply
Quaintly antique machinery and DIY — this is probably going to be a hit with the steampunk community.
[+] [-] scrrr|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] DanBC|14 years ago|reply
but this does seem expensive.
[+] [-] jetbean|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ck2|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] CWuestefeld|14 years ago|reply
big keyboard connector --> small keyboard connector --> USB
[+] [-] swah|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Drakeman|14 years ago|reply
Could any enthusiasts (I consider myself an amateur) weigh in?
[+] [-] epo|14 years ago|reply
Actually sounds like a fair price to me. But perhaps you are used to getting your electronics assembled overseas on a massive scale by (essentially) slave labour.
[+] [-] jff|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wollw|14 years ago|reply
http://www.usbtypewriter.com/design-files/design-files-2
[+] [-] FuzzyDunlop|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tripzilch|14 years ago|reply
More power to you for selling these things for $500! Ha!
[+] [-] apgwoz|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|14 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] xorglorb|14 years ago|reply
[0]: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http:/...
[+] [-] m0nastic|14 years ago|reply
I still use a typewriter for all my prose (currently an Olivetti) for the one dumb reason that it's the only way I've found to stop myself from editing my writing as I write it.
I'd been contemplating picking up a refurbished Selectric (as just the hum that emits after turning it on brings back wonderful memories), but this would have the added benefit of also making a digital copy (which I do at some point want for editing).
[+] [-] julius|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jetbean|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mojuba|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] cowboyhero|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Game_Ender|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chadgeidel|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jrockway|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Luyt|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] m0wfo|14 years ago|reply