#alphasmart neo

[ambrossart]

Have I mentioned how much I love this thing? 😍

[alinelovelace]

I have an Alphasmart Dana!

It has been so helpful with focusing. The Dana has SD card ports (which requires SD cards 1GB or less storage). A lot of Alphasmart typing devices need battery replacements or new charging packs, so I feel safest having everything on my SD card. Also, I know people who had no issue hooking their Alphasmart to their computer, but personally, I couldn't get it to work for me. My laptop has an SD card reader so I can access my files in a way that works for me. With all old devices, there are hoops to jump through, but it's so worth it! I *briefly* had a Neo (unfortunately the keyboard was incredibly broken, none of the keys typed the right letter) and I was so disappointed to have to give it up. They're a great cheap alternative if you don't want to get distracted by your laptop. Or are like me and can't do blue light past a certain time :)

bringing my little typewriter to work with me is always fun because so many customers do a double take and go "what on earth is that" and then i get to infodump about my best friend the neo alphasmart 3000 who has seen me through many dangers

[boneskullravenriver]

The free write travelers are ridiculously expensive with added bells and whistles I don't need. Plus it looks freaking gigantic for no reason.

The reviews of that and the other one were... Meh.

This is why I feel like old tech kinda wins out in some respects.

Look at this chonk late 2000s beauty. I may not have used this in school (we were using actual desktop computers to learn how to type) but it gives me such a feeling of nostalgia because so many devices in the late 2000s and early 2010s had this sort of look. And the screen as well.

"I may not be pretty, but I get the job done 👍"

I got it in the mail yesterday after months of debating on whether or not to get it.

It's completely offline. I don't need some stupid cloud service bullshit or extra app or wifi. It runs on batteries and all I need is a cable that plugs into the device at the top, then the other end on the computer to transfer text. That's it. It's great.

Only thing I dislike is that there's no way to use italics or bold but I use asterisks to indicate when a word should be like that so after I transfer to my computer, I can fix everything up because this is more of a "on the go get everything down" sort of device as if you were writing in a notebook, I'll say. It's messy. The computer is for formatting and fixing lol.

Also, each file can hold 10k words. It's an old device, so the storage isn't as extensive as modern things but we'll see. I assume that once you hit 10k on one file it doesn't let you write anymore on that file. There's 8 files that you can switch to via the buttons on top.

I've been using it all day yesterday to type up chapters I'd written by hand and so far so good

[moghedien]

I’m a hater of the freewrite line of products because I just feel like what is being offered is not worth the price and also it’s bloated with features and firmware that shouldn’t be necessary for a “distraction free” writing device. Like I feel like it’s more a way for people to fetishize writing than it is for them to actually write. Like hot take maybe but I don’t think a distraction free device should connect to the internet at all? There are ways to get your documents onto a computer without the Internet. I know this because I’m the owner of one of these bad boys

And honestly I don’t use it as much as I’d want, but mostly because I’m also very into mechanical keyboards and so while having basically an electronic typewriter is nice, I don’t prefer the actual typing experience. Like if there was one thing that would make me actually spend the stupid amount of money a freewrite goes for, it’d be if they made one with a fully customizable mechanical keyboard, but as far as I know you can’t swap out the switches on a freewrite so I’m not tempted to even attempt that

So I’ve been getting back into using my Alphasmart (shown above) and have been looking at stuff lately and apparently between when I got this guy a few years ago and now, someone had created a mechanical keyboard mod for the Alphasmart 3000????

So I just got a 3000 off eBay and now I’m gonna be having a new project because this is like the IDEAL scenario for me

[fred-the-dinosaur]

You don't even need to deal with the reading handwriting problem.

These have been in schools since 1995:

They're dumb as a brick, all they can do is type and send text over usb (some can spellcheck but that can be turned off) and they run for hundreds of hours on a couple of AA batteries.

But then you get the benefits of: no struggle to read handwriting, teaching kids to actually type, and kids who need keyboards for accessibility reasons still get them.

They should bring these back.

(Anyone who mentions the free write on my post will be condemned to the smooth shark tank, they are not the same)

An ex-colleague of mine was complaining to me the other day about the ai problem in her students' papers, and I told her, "Just make your students hand-write them in class. Easy." She looked at me like I was insane and tried to explain how that would never work, but I just said,"That's how we did it for a thousand years. The invention of word processors doesn't erase all that."

To me it seems obvious. Readings are done out of class, handwritten essays are done within it. No more ai papers.

[ramblingsofnobody]

.

[bonesandpoemsandflowers]

what if instead of using my existing distraction free typing experience product (alphasmart neo) to finish an update in time for Valentine's Day, instead I used my distraction machine (thinkpad whatever with wifi on) to investigate distraction free typing devices for purchase (microjournal rev.5, remarkable tablet with type folio, zerowriter) and finished writing fuck all?

[taralen]

[[UN]]HAPPY NEW YEAR

FIRST ART OF 2024!!!

NEW YEARS CELEBRATION?

HA. HA. HA. UNHINGED [[FUNNI]] STORY TIME BELOW!

I spent nearly 12 @#$%ing HOURS in DARKNESS. Yes, that's right, FELLAS. The power on the entire block DIED just before midnight! That means I didn't get a chance to celebrate it with my friends, family, or anyone really because I had to conserve all power left on my phone just in case of an emergency.

I LAUGHED SO HARD the moment it went out. Just unmitigated, [[MANIA]]CAL LAUGHTER.

My mother asked, "Are you okay?!"

I said, "YES. I'm fine. HEAEHAEHA! This is just SO FUNNY. A blackOUT on NEW YEARS! HAHAEHAEAHA!!! What a way to start THE YEAR!"

I drank one of my meal supplements to keep going, spent some time writing on my Alphasmart NEO, and then at dawn, after I failed to go back to sleep, I took one of those mini camping "stoves," fought with some matches, and warmed up a kettle full of water to eat some [[JAPAN imported]] noodles and drink chamomile tea to ease my mania-driven nerves.

BOY HOWDY was the [[EYE]] STATIC BAD. It always gets worse in darkness. Too many things firing off in my brain, I guess! Genuinely looked like a TV. COOL.

WELL, WELL HAPPY NEW YEARS to everyone else who wasn't in DARKNESS.

Despite all this CRAP I have a very, very good feeling for this year. I've never been so motivated! 😃

I can't share any details about my enthusiasm... Y'all have to see as the days pass. HEHE. 😁😁😁

📎 BY THE WAY? If you're new here—I ain't "LARPing" as Spamton. I'm a legit crazy/[[@#$%ed in the head]] person who relates [[too much]] to him. He's my lovable method of venting my own [[4.99 life.]] Hope you don't mind!!!

[vvatchword]

Freewrite Traveler versus Alphasmart Neo 2

So I have an Alphasmart Neo 2 and a Freewrite Traveler. One of these cost me about $300. The other cost me $30. And I'm about to give you a review because I love one of these things more than the other.

The Alphasmart Neo 2 is from the 00s and was used in classrooms to help kids practice typing without the distraction of a computer attached to the Internet. They come with some basic little functions like a calculator and are powered by three AAA batteries. They have eight files that can contain 10,000 words each, can copy, cut, and paste, and you can go back into the document to edit. There are no Undo or Redo functions. To transfer the files to your PC, you hook up a cable while the Alphasmart and your word processor of choice are turned on. That easy. The batteries last for-e-ver. I'm taking about years. I am on my second set of batteries and I've owned this dealio for five years or so with almost daily use. This thing cost me $30 plus s&h a few years ago. Word has gotten out about these, so they're more expensive than that these days, but not significantly so--maybe $50? You'll see some being sold for $100 or so but that's ridiculous tbh.

At the time I purchased the Alphasmart, i had already backed the Freewrite Traveler on Kickstarter for about $300. I felt pretty dumb and wondered if I would regret my choice.

As it turns out: yes. I do.

The Traveler uses the same kind of screen as a Kindle, has three files of infinite words each, is rechargeable, and can back up your work to the cloud and send your files to your email address. It's sleek, small, and exceptionally cute. I just like looking at it. But after getting it, I couldn't help but compare it to the Alphasmart, which kicks its ass every day.

Recharging sounds fine, but it runs out of juice FAST. A full day's work will knock it out; I ran out of juice anywhere from three days to three weeks, depending on how much I was using it. Inevitably there is a point you forget to recharge and wham bam fuck you ma'am, it's going to take four hours to charge now and you can't use it if it wound down to 0% while you were sleeping. It posts to the cloud, which you'd think is great--infinite words! Back it up anywhere you find free WiFi!--but to do this, you need to sign up for Postbox, a service through Freewrite, which means that if the company dies, so does the cloud feature. You can also transfer your files via the charging cable, so they thought of this, but it feels dangerous and a little disingenuous, not gonna lie.

Unlike the Alphasmart, you can't copy, cut, paste, or edit. When I say you can't edit, I mean that you can't arrow up to some previous point in the story and add or delete. The point of this feature--and it is a feature!--is to emulate typewriters and encourage first draft flow. Problem is, that's just not how I write. For $300, or whatever it's selling for now, I want to be able to use cut, copy, and paste, maybe even redo and undo, and I want to be able to go back and add extra bullshit. Also, the full-sized Freewrite has a backlight, but the Traveler does not. Why does my $300 machine not have a goddamn backlight.

The Traveler also has a hint of lag and it drives me fucking crazy. This may not be a problem for you if you hunt and peck or are a slower typist, but I type almost as fast as I think. I have gotten up to 190 wpm before. Long story short, Traveler can't keep up--but Alphasmart can!

The Alphasmart is also more comfortable to type on and takes up about as much room in a bag as the Traveler does--just lengthwise rather than width-wise, if it makes sense. The Traveler is better for a purse, perhaps, but it's just bulky enough that I sometimes found it troublesome to make room in my bags. It's about the size of a clutch when folded up.

At one point, I got caught in a rainstorm while my Alphasmart was in my backpack. The rain seeped into my backpack and ruined a book. Meanwhile the Alphasmart was like lol whatever do you feel like writing queen?

Anyway, I'm going to see if I can't sell my Freewrite. I'd rather have a second Alphasmart rofl

[whalleyrulz]

i think it's good and cool when writers have specific weird tools they just have to use for their art, like old computers with dead versions of wordperfect, or alphasmart neos, or fountain pens

every other artistic medium gets to do weird shit with homemade glue or sampled audio or diy instruments or ancient cameras, it's only fair that writers get to be weird and intentional too

[rhapsodybenny]

Parody song ideas:

* Rachel Platten parody about the Irish Potato Famine - “This is my Blight Song.”

* Buggles parody about how Apple’s widespread predictive text eliminated the need for the NEO - “iOS Killed the Alphasmart.”

* Beyblade Metal Fusion OP, except the singer/lyrics dress down the listener for all the 12-year-old caliber jokes they probably made following “Beyblade, Beyblade, Let it Rip!”

[as-thoughts]

i just googled what an alphasmart neo is and i have to ask why

i'm so sorry but i sincerely love them! i've used them since like 8th grade. all they do is type. there are no distractions. they used to cost like $30 back when i first got one. they have 700 hours of battery life. only being able to see 6 lines at a time cuts down on my tendency to constantly reread and revise things while still trying to get out a first draft. no backlit screen means it hurts my eyes less. etc.

also i put a vinyl wrap on mine to make it look cute, so

[boneskullravenriver]

I'm loving this fucking thing omg. There's a built in thesaurus and spell checker. Means I don't need to pause in the middle of writing to grab my phone because if I grab my phone, I'll end up spending 30 minutes scrolling and forgetting what I was doing in the first place LOL

There's arrow keys to scroll down for more words.

[broodsys]

yayyyy <3

got exactly what i wanted for xmas this year ;u; the alphasmart neo, which is a portable writing system - no internet connectivity, no distractions, just a way to write with an auto-save and a ridiculous battery life, lightweight and should be much more accessible for me

and a plug-in dvd/cd player

and dark chocolate goodies <3 i am a happy boy <3

[bmpmp3]

you know i said i was near immune to nostalgia but i think i may just have a very different relationship to nostalgia than the rose coloured sweet and sentimental version thats emphasized in marketing. my mother talked to me once about a similar thing she feels, an emotion that feels like a yearning but not in a way that makes you feel warm but a way that makes you feel confused and maybe even scared. isnt one of the root words for nostalgia something to do with pain. why am i missing the alphasmart neo 2.

her................... the simultaneous savior and absolute bane of my elementary school career......................................................her.....

[nsfwmiamiart]

(Part 2) Fun Fact for @zoesaldana and @rosariodawson and @salmahayek and @halleberry:

There are several modern "smart typewriters" designed specifically for writers who want to focus on their work without the distractions of the internet or the risk of online spying. These devices combine the tactile feel of traditional typewriters with some digital conveniences, yet remain offline to protect users from cyber threats.

Examples of Modern "Smart Typewriters"

Freewrite by Astrohaus:

Description: The Freewrite is a distraction-free writing device that combines a mechanical keyboard with an e-ink screen. It allows writers to type without the internet, ensuring their work remains offline and secure.

Features:

E-ink screen for a paper-like reading experience

Mechanical keyboard

Local storage (with options to sync to the cloud only when desired)

Long battery life

Usage: Many authors use the Freewrite to draft their manuscripts free from the distractions and security risks of connected devices.

Alphasmart Neo:

Description: Although no longer in production, the Alphasmart Neo is a beloved tool among writers for its simplicity and offline functionality. It features a simple word processor with a small LCD screen.

Features:

Basic word processing capabilities

Long battery life

Lightweight and portable

USB connectivity for transferring text to a computer

Usage: Authors have praised the Alphasmart Neo for its focus on writing without internet distractions or security concerns.

Historical Context: Authors Using Typewriters for Security

Before the advent of modern digital technology, many authors relied on traditional typewriters, which inherently provided security against digital spying and intellectual property theft. Some notable examples include:

George R.R. Martin:

Usage: George R.R. Martin, famous for his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, uses a DOS-based word processor on a computer not connected to the internet. This setup mimics the security of a traditional typewriter by keeping his work offline.

Cormac McCarthy:

Usage: Cormac McCarthy wrote many of his novels, including "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men," on a mechanical typewriter. He used an Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter for over five decades, ensuring his work was secure from digital threats.

Danielle Steel:

Usage: Danielle Steel, a prolific author, has been known to use a 1946 Olympia manual typewriter. Her preference for this machine ensures her manuscripts are protected from the risks associated with digital writing tools.

Advantages of Using Offline Typewriters and Devices

Security: Without internet connectivity, these devices are safe from online hacking, spying, and intellectual property theft.

Focus: The lack of internet distractions allows authors to concentrate solely on their writing.

Simplicity: These devices often offer a more straightforward and streamlined writing experience, free from the complexities of modern computers.

Conclusion

Authors looking to protect their work from intellectual property theft have options ranging from traditional typewriters to modern smart typewriters like the Freewrite and Alphasmart Neo. These tools provide a secure, distraction-free environment conducive to focused writing.