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I regularly use Alphasmart Neo for long-form writing, so let me share my perspective. Having a small screen does not feel limiting. It is enough both for writi

by lykahb 5y ago

I regularly use Alphasmart Neo for long-form writing, so let me share my perspective. Having a small screen does not feel limiting. It is enough both for writing continuously, the focus of Freewrite, and for editing the last few sentences. I wish it had better contrast and adjustable tilt, though. Syncing via emulating a keyboard ensures that I can pair it with nearly any device. This gives more peace of mind than using a proprietary service Postbox or wondering if it will stop working with the next standard of WiFi. Also, wireless connectivity comes at a cost of autonomous time. There is a community https://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart https://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart that has many discussions of Alphasmart and other writing devices. It goes back more than fifteen years.

ryantgtg 5y ago
I have an Alphasmart Neo, though I do not regularly use it. And I don't use it much because I find the small screen limiting. I am so used to looking back at what I wrote a paragraph above, or pages and pages above, and doing that is a struggle (for me) on the Neo. I think part of the issue is that I don't have a good workflow, and I don't really have a "drafting" mode where I churn out a lot of content. I tend to write fairly slowly, and then revise and revise and revise a single chapter before moving on. I am in the process of reworking my workflow, since the above is NOT getting me to the finish line. Now I am trying to first create an outline (I rarely do that!), and then whip out a quick first draft from there. If I can pull that off, then I think the Neo would be cool. That said! Lately the Neo has been my toddler's "computer". She loves it. And I'm not sure why, but it has a tendency to say "something went wrong" and then all of the files get deleted. It does this like once a day. So I've lost faith in this particular device, and I wouldn't use it for my own work. Also, syncing via keyboard emulation did not work the last time I tried it in linux. I definitely desire something like the Freewrite, because I'm sure that once I have the right device then I'll finally be more productive (lol). However, I've told myself that if I can first finish a novel or two on my own, then I'll have EARNED the Freewrite.
- lykahb 5y ago
  It took me some time to get used to this workflow, but now I see the urge to do large edits as a distraction. Have you tried replacing the internal battery? It may have low charge or a shaky contact (that's more rare). Happy for your toddler. When mine grows up, I want to give her disconnected devices that are simpler and more tactile. Certainly not a phone. The keyboard emulation is dead simple and reliable, so this seems to be a hardware problem. If you got an old device that was abused by a school student, there may even be some rust in the ports. Actually, I myself do not sync with the keyboard emulation anymore - I wrote a python package neotools that works faster.
  - ryantgtg 5y ago
    Thanks - yeah I looked it up last night and realized I should probably replace the battery. I'll do that once I get the correct size Torq! I think the keyboard emulation was related to a specific kernel version (I haven't tried in a couple years). I downgraded and it worked on an earlier one. I'll try on my current kernel soon. My toddler's first computer was a scientific calculator, then she upgraded to the Alphasmart (mine's actually a Neo2). She gets very very minimal phone time (always with us: check the weather once a day; look at a pic/vid that relatives sent). But one interesting thing is that the "suggested words" in iMessage on an iphone are a neat little tool for helping her learn to read. They only suggest so many words, and at 3.5 YO she's able to read many of them. So I let her send texts to the grandparents by selecting words and we practice reading them as she goes.
Semiapies 5y ago
Really, this sounds a lot more like something that accomplishes the supposed goals of that eternally-flogged, janky $500 piece of equipment than it does.

by lykahb 5y ago

ryantgtg 5y ago

I have an Alphasmart Neo, though I do not regularly use it. And I don't use it much because I find the small screen limiting. I am so used to looking back at what I wrote a paragraph above, or pages and pages above, and doing that is a struggle (for me) on the Neo. I think part of the issue is that I don't have a good workflow, and I don't really have a "drafting" mode where I churn out a lot of content. I tend to write fairly slowly, and then revise and revise and revise a single chapter before moving on. I am in the process of reworking my workflow, since the above is NOT getting me to the finish line. Now I am trying to first create an outline (I rarely do that!), and then whip out a quick first draft from there. If I can pull that off, then I think the Neo would be cool. That said! Lately the Neo has been my toddler's "computer". She loves it. And I'm not sure why, but it has a tendency to say "something went wrong" and then all of the files get deleted. It does this like once a day. So I've lost faith in this particular device, and I wouldn't use it for my own work. Also, syncing via keyboard emulation did not work the last time I tried it in linux. I definitely desire something like the Freewrite, because I'm sure that once I have the right device then I'll finally be more productive (lol). However, I've told myself that if I can first finish a novel or two on my own, then I'll have EARNED the Freewrite.

lykahb 5y ago
It took me some time to get used to this workflow, but now I see the urge to do large edits as a distraction. Have you tried replacing the internal battery? It may have low charge or a shaky contact (that's more rare). Happy for your toddler. When mine grows up, I want to give her disconnected devices that are simpler and more tactile. Certainly not a phone. The keyboard emulation is dead simple and reliable, so this seems to be a hardware problem. If you got an old device that was abused by a school student, there may even be some rust in the ports. Actually, I myself do not sync with the keyboard emulation anymore - I wrote a python package neotools that works faster.
- ryantgtg 5y ago
  Thanks - yeah I looked it up last night and realized I should probably replace the battery. I'll do that once I get the correct size Torq! I think the keyboard emulation was related to a specific kernel version (I haven't tried in a couple years). I downgraded and it worked on an earlier one. I'll try on my current kernel soon. My toddler's first computer was a scientific calculator, then she upgraded to the Alphasmart (mine's actually a Neo2). She gets very very minimal phone time (always with us: check the weather once a day; look at a pic/vid that relatives sent). But one interesting thing is that the "suggested words" in iMessage on an iphone are a neat little tool for helping her learn to read. They only suggest so many words, and at 3.5 YO she's able to read many of them. So I let her send texts to the grandparents by selecting words and we practice reading them as she goes.

Semiapies 5y ago

Really, this sounds a lot more like something that accomplishes the supposed goals of that eternally-flogged, janky $500 piece of equipment than it does.