6 ms·

WriterdeckOS

207 points by surprisetalk 1y ago

deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
dingnuts 1y ago
a single fucking screenshot would go a long way to convincing me this is real. considering I lost an hour yesterday trying to use an open source library that turned out to be vibe coded non-functional slop, I have to ask for evidence that the project is real and functional be presented front and center
- matthewfcarlson 1y ago
  I don’t disagree but in the about they explain it’s just a Debian install that boots into the tilde editor.
  - prmoustache 1y ago
    I don't understand why they don't release it as a simple script, or better a config from a tool like puppet achieving idempotency. That opinion can also apply to many distro derivatives using the same packages as the original. Releasing images for what are just minor changes of configuration seems like a waste of storage, bandwith and energy in general.
    - noir_lord 1y ago
      If omarchy users understood linux they'd be really angry right now.
- noir_lord 1y ago
  It's real but it's essentially a shell script that modifies debian to start into tilde. https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS/blob/main/initialConfig.sh https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS/blob/main/initialC... Also I'd be semi-wary about downloading ISO files from somewhere like this and running those on hardware on my network (in fairness always should be) but especially given this https://github.com/tinkersec/TwitterAccountTakeover/tree/master https://github.com/tinkersec/TwitterAccountTakeover/tree/mas... No guarantee what is in the ISO is the result of applying that shell script to a fresh debian ISO and repacking (no guarantee the other way but eh not taking the time to dig into it).
- forgotpwd16 1y ago
  E.g. https://old.reddit.com/r/writerdeckOS/comments/1mu299a/ https://old.reddit.com/r/writerdeckOS/comments/1mu299a/ Not sure why such over-the-top presentation, marketing, and community building, for what is basically auto-logging in to a text editor.
  - andoando 1y ago
    You just reminded me how much better old reddit was
  - coffeebeqn 1y ago
    I built an OS!
- dvh 1y ago
  Certainly! Would you like me to generate screenshots of OS optimized for writing to satisfy your creative needs?
- evolve2k 1y ago
  Theres a screenshot here: https://writerdeckos.com/#usage https://writerdeckos.com/#usage My critique as a designer is that no typographic measure has been added (eg max-width), so it’s very hard to read. I’d suggest to them that they make a column in the middle for the text that is around 40 characters wide and Lee text flow in that. This is used by many text editions for their distraction free mode. It’d add more typographic ‘white space’ around the outside also, contributing to the calm and focussed intentions.
  - deleted 1y ago
    [deleted]
  - robotresearcher 1y ago
    That’s not a screenshot, and it has very little text to be seen. This whole site should lead with a screenshot. The product is essentially a text window. Show us the product!
TeaVMFan 1y ago
I like the idea of a distraction-free writing environment. However, when I'm writing, I find I sometimes need to do research. I suppose for the best writing flow I should block time for research and time for pure writing. However, if I discover I need to look something up, a hard block on internet access would be a problem. Of course it's a slippery slope from researching something on Wikipedia to navigating to related articles. Timed access per hour?
- noir_lord 1y ago
  I like https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ and have used it for years and years, you can configure the look and feel pretty extensively. Lots of ways to skin that cat (especially if you are a linux user) but focuswriter does everything I need, very little I don't and there is a frame/mindset shift to using the same tool for a specific task.
- embedding-shape 1y ago
  > However, if I discover I need to look something up, a hard block on internet access would be a problem. When I'm in "writing mode", I forbid myself from doing quick lookups, because I can almost never stick to the "quick" part of the process, and end up chasing rabbits. Instead, I just put something like (verify) or (research to confirm yay/nay) while writing, and move on to what I can do in the moment. Then much later do I go through with a "editor" mindset and address all those things in one go, rather than in the moment. I guess kind of like picking work into a queue rather than doing it immediately, and leaving it hanging until I can work through the entire queue in one go.
  - kstrauser 1y ago
    The old timey trick is to write “TK”, for “look this up later”. It’s not a common letter combination so it’s easy to visually or automatically scan for. Example: > The moon is TK miles from earth. Write away, don’t get distracted by the details, and catch up afterward when you’ve shifted to editor mode.
    - 1y ago
digilypse 1y ago
Closing your laptop can also provide a clean, portable writing platform.
jchw 1y ago
This is my first time hearing of the "WriterDeck" concept, so it's very possible that I am missing some context, but... While booting to text requires less work and less packages, it seems like it has a lot of caveats. Firstly, it will likely be unreadable on any laptop that has a high resolution screen, and frankly even some old cheap laptops have one at this point, at least 1.5x~ish-scale DPI. Secondly, obviously better typography can be done in a graphical user interface, which seems like something you'd want if you're going to be writing on something. Thirdly, while the utter lack of distractions is admirable, this will also lack even the most crucial features and information. For example, I don't think you will even realize if your battery is about to die, which seems like it is a good way to accidentally lose a bunch of work. Battery state is probably the only thing that I really think it must show you. It would definitely take a bit more work but a tiny dedicated graphical environment that functions as a basic text editor seems like it could go further. No particular need for Wayland or X11 here, either; you could get away with a simple Qt application directly on KMS/DRM.
- noir_lord 1y ago
  https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download is Qt based so that'd get you most of it, last time I compiled it the deps where Qt/SDL. GPL3 licensed.
- catach 1y ago
  > Battery state is probably the only thing that I really think it must show you. The screenshot provided does show a battery indicator in the top right of the UI (Usage section).
  - jchw 1y ago
    In my defense, I couldn't see that part of the screenshot because of the way the page crops it responsively.
- eichin 1y ago
  Existing products include Freewrite and Pomera; there's also a pretty big nostalgia/retro space around the AlphaSmart, the eMate 300, and the Tandy 100. (As far as I know the pomera is the one that's linux underneath but completely hidden - it's particularly funny that it has wifi, but the only thing you can do with it is set the clock!)
teddyh 1y ago
For those who prefer Emacs over tilde: startx emacs --maximized --funcall=darkroom-mode
sebastianconcpt 1y ago
No autosaving. That's the wrong way to try to be minimalist.
- ciaranmca 1y ago
  Yea, that’s something that stuck out to me as well. Seems like auto save and version control could be done in a minimalist manner whist improving QOL
  - phoe-krk 1y ago
    I really enjoyed using CherryTree on top of Git with automatic commit and sync. Getting readable diffs (via using XML as an output format) is meaningful.
- instantnews 1y ago
  Thanks!
1970-01-01 1y ago
I had a good laugh. Why does anyone want this? Put Linux on your laptop and nuke the network stack. Done.
- smlavine 1y ago
  Because then you'd have to do that.
  - dangus 1y ago
    Not much you really have to do though. Take your standard Linux distro… Make a new user. Login. Uninstall the apps you don’t want. Uninstall the web browser. You don’t really even have to set up an autostart script to turn off WiFi for this user, but you can if you want. The user not having a web browser installed should be enough. That’s it, you’re done.
    - coffeebeqn 1y ago
      Or pull the wifi chip out of the m.2 slot
- wkjagt 1y ago
  You're clearly not the intended audience but that doesn't mean no one could want this.
cosmic_cheese 1y ago
The idea of a low-distraction laptop OS is a good one, but I'm not sure that this is necessarily the best approach. If I mentally model such a thing myself, I end up with something that looks a lot like Classic (pre-OS-X) Mac OS. It's simplified and has just enough presence to properly host graphical applications. No taskbar, no notifications (or associated drawer), no self-populated launcher menu. File manager is spatial so it doesn't need a sidebar or navigation chrome. Multitasking is technically possible, but high-friction since the only way to switch between running apps is the little app switcher menu in the top right corner and becomes more cumbersome the more apps/windows you open. Included browser does not support tabs, only windows. Shortcuts to frequently used apps must be added intentionally (to your desktop as aliases/shortcuts or to the launcher menu). This design strongly encourages singular focus without forcing it. If you want to have music playing in the background or need to open a browser window for research you can, but gravity is constantly pulling you back towards your task since the machine isn't pleasant to use for goofing off.
- tobyjsullivan 1y ago
  Not exactly this but found a similar experience recently by throwing Linux lite on an 15-year-old thinkpad with a physical wifi switch. Was for my kid in this case. Loaded a few education-friendly games and then disabled the wifi. Now it’s a simple, focused, and relatively safe box. Could easily do the same for writing or any other activity.
- CTDOCodebases 1y ago
  This is intended for people who want to use a laptop as a single use device for the purpose of writing. So basic file management and a word processor is all that is needed. WriterdeckOS is not meant to be an OS for general computing. Purppose built writerdecks are quite expensive. WriterdeckOS is a practical, inexpensive and resourceful alternative to a purpose build device. For more information on writerdecks check out: https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/ https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/
  - cout 1y ago
    This is the main reason I keep my PS/2 around with WordPerfect 5.1. Sure I can go browse the web with Minuet, or I used to before https everywhere, but that means saving and exiting WP. And 30+ years later I'm still waiting for a word processor with a decent Reveal Codes.
pmarreck 1y ago
Some of these options would have been way cooler than Tilde; perhaps it could provide alternate options too? https://terminaltrove.com/categories/text-editors/ https://terminaltrove.com/categories/text-editors/
kosolam 1y ago
Nice idea, however, here is a satire piece about writing and writers which I find relevant in this context: https://medium.com/@Justwritet/you-are-not-a-real-writer-if-5eaa1ff9ca62 https://medium.com/@Justwritet/you-are-not-a-real-writer-if-...
aplc0r 1y ago
While I don't have a use for this, I do like the idea of purposeful modes in computing. Obviously there is a lot you can do with shortcuts and preferences, but its nice to have a limited to base to start with. I think this is even more important with a mobile platform since for one, battery and processing power is at a premium, and two anything with notifications could take you out of your desired "mode" if you don't wrangle them properly. Something I've always wanted in a smartphone is to be able to boot into a "camera only" mode. There have been many times where all I need my phone for is as a camera, and I don't want it wasting resources/battery doing anything else. If this mode were light enough, it could boot up in the same amount of time as a normal digital camera, allowing your the phone to be truly off while you're not taking pictures. I do often take a digital camera with me, but sometimes I don't want the bulk or maybe I didn't initially plan to take a lot of pictures.
HotGarbage 1y ago
This really should be a live-USB image instead of something you have to install
ethmarks 1y ago
Kind of a sidenote, but I really hate these page transitions. They're way too slow. Especially because the site has a 114-kilobyte 908-rule inline CSS stylesheet. If you're going to make me download this much CSS, at least make sure it doesn't render your site unusable for nearly a full second even after the page loads.
sharts 1y ago
Why does the OS need to be purpose/task oriented and not, say, the UI instead. Being able to toggle a mode in your desktop environment / window manager / etc would do a lot
- wyre 1y ago
  Can’t your OS do that already?
- yousif_123123 1y ago
  Probably to help you avoid being distracted given the higher friction of rebooting if your dual booting or going to another device vs just launching another browser tab..
tiltowait 1y ago
The idea is fine, though the execution seems obnoxious for getting your writing out of your system. The trouble is, depending on what you’re writing, Tilde might be a massive downgrade. For novels, I find something like Scrivener essential. I’ve looked into a few options like this over the years (e.g. the Freewrite, or even an old Alphasmart), but always came to the conclusion they added more friction to my writing process, not less.
tombot 1y ago
Why isn’t there autosaving? Why go to all this effort to make such a hostile UX?
- spankibalt 1y ago
  Because autosaving lacks the neccessary fashion irony.
- ergocoder 1y ago
  It's against the writer's manifesto. The writers should always always recall their materials. Auto-save is an opposite of that. You can see the full manifesto here: writermanifesto.com.
humanfromearth9 1y ago
Exactly the kind of OS I needed for my laptop, which has one of the most powerful i7 processors for laptops, a 12GB RTX and 128GB RAM...
amelius 1y ago
Why not just use a regular OS, install everything you need, then kill the internet connection?
- CTDOCodebases 1y ago
  This isn't really targeting Linux users. It's targeting people who want to write without distraction who might have never used Linux before.
  - indrora 1y ago
    Except that this is the most Linux brained way of approaching it: Here's a shell! It's running a funny text editor! IF you need anything just use bash :)"
neilv 1y ago
* There's definitely a place for well-designed and genuine solutions for these, when most of the tech application and platform space is dominated by design for engagement, sales, and flashiness, with what might be considered pervasive dark patterns. * The choice of using shell commands for file management, and for getting files onto and off the device, seems like it could increase distraction, or make the device uninviting. * Many writers -- whether they're bloggers/substack-like, newsletter writers, self-published books-writing, or working with a traditional publisher -- have many other writing and non-writing professional tasks that they might like to do without juggling multiple devices. So they might want a single that is designed for low-distraction, but that can run ordinary GUI apps like Web and email, when needed. The low-distraction design might include modes, in which you can set the device for writing-only mode, and then sometimes enable Web&email research functions, Web&email administrative functions, Web&email social-marketing functions, etc. (A lot of that last function set, for social-marketing, involves accessing engagement/cesspool-oriented social media directly rather than through automation, if you're engaging genuinely, which is massive distraction, and maybe you just don't want to have possible from this device, and keep it on a phone or tablet instead. But for self-publishers, there are also some professional marketing Web sites that you are more likely to want to access directly from this professional low-distraction device, when in that mode.)
jrm4 1y ago
Is this really terminal only? No autosave? Something GUI with nice enough proportional fonts and autosave seems like a very bare minimum here.
helterskelter 1y ago
I've created something in a similar fashion. I have a dedicated machine for writing with ArchLinux, nvim+plugins, zk and kiwix. Not much else to it really. I've been thinking about pulling the wireless card out of it, but so far internet discipline hasn't been a huge issue, the main thing is that I know when I'm using that machine it's time to work.
tlhunter 1y ago
How does one export their documents? By manually mounting USB drives?
awaymazdacx5 1y ago
Running a linux-kernel on the bare-bones pre-bootstrapped UX, whixh is hotplugged as prior OS compilation either as .py scripts or extricating numpy functions.
hrdwdmrbl 1y ago
Call me names but I couldn't work without an AI
arkensaw 1y ago
A word of caution. > WARNING: This will erase everything on the laptop you install it on. Please make backups before beginning. I ran it a few months back without reading everything. I was trying a bunch of different linux distros via bootable USB drives, when I tried this one and it wiped the underlying drive. Luckily enough it was just a test machine, I didn't lose anything crucial.
- stavros 1y ago
  It didn't ask you to confirm it would wipe things? You just booted and the data was gone? That seems like a massively user-hostile choice.
  - lucaslazarus 1y ago
    What did you think they meant by distraction-free? Vibes? Essays? Papers?
    - __del__ 1y ago
      It's not abundantly clear that merely booting this operating system FORMATS YOUR DISK. Yes, there's a grub menu, but it has something like a 2 second timeout before it destroys all your data.
      - lucaslazarus 1y ago
        Yes, of course that is terrible and should be made way more clear. My response was a joke about how it technically sure does eliminate distractions.
mofosyne 1y ago
There's a youtube video about this OS if you want to see what it visually looks like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWx1Rn76Gg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWx1Rn76Gg The Linux Distro For Writers --- Mr and Mrs Linux
JKCalhoun 1y ago
An old AlphaSmart can be picked up for a few hundred dollars on eBay. Kind of a clever distraction-free text editor. I picked up a couple a few years ago. Pretty clever in that, one way it transfers files. You connect the device via USB to a functional computer and ready an empty document in your text-editor of choice. Push a button on the device and it sends the internal text as though from a USB keyboard to your computer: speed-typing [1]. [1] https://youtu.be/xXuRZbq8-0s?si=AbLZ4DcnhpkUYANG&t=93 https://youtu.be/xXuRZbq8-0s?si=AbLZ4DcnhpkUYANG&t=93
- specproc 1y ago
  I have an AlphaSmart. I never really got on with it and will probably sell it soon. I quite like the approach proposed here: can re-use your own hardware, bring your own monitor (I hated the AlphaSmart's screen), even hack around a bit from bash.
- ckz 1y ago
  Just a note for those in the market (as someone with the unusual distinction of owning ~30 Alphasmarts), a few hundred $ is more like a top of the line, NIB/serviced Alphasmart Neo 2 with bag, manual, etc. If you just want to try out distraction-free writing with USB a used AS3000 is easily found <$50 (YMMV re. battery corrosion).
  - JKCalhoun 1y ago
    When I was shopping for one, I decided to get the one most favored (as you point out, the delta might be $150—fortunately that was not an obstacle for me). My worry was that if I got the less-favored model (or worst, a non-functioning one) my impression of the whole line might not be a fair one. And FWIW, I like the machine. But I have barely used mine. But that has more to do with my procrastination at sitting down and writing in general.
re_spond 1y ago
Would love to try if I could swap out the underlying Tilde editor with classic Wordperfect... seems like https://github.com/taviso/wpunix https://github.com/taviso/wpunix Might actually be the perfect fit for this (for me).
- coffeebeqn 1y ago
  Now that looks like the kind of rich text editor I’ve been looking for
- pmarreck 1y ago
  whoa, this is actually a fascinating option. unfortunately not on nixpkgs, probably due to licensing issues, but I bet I could put together a flake.nix for it but also: ooof, of COURSE it has encoding issues: https://github.com/taviso/wpunix/issues/64 https://github.com/taviso/wpunix/issues/64
noduerme 1y ago
I wish I still had my old TRS-80 Model 100, my first computer. In some ways it solved for most of the problems I have with writing in public on a tablet or a laptop. Basically a big mechanical keyboard with a small low-res screen that ran for a long time on AA batteries.
locusofself 1y ago
I tried something like this a while back, where I just installed a very minimal ubuntu system with nano and vim and not much else on an older laptop (no X windows or Wayland for sure).
alabhyajindal 1y ago
Nice! I have another idea: DerangedOS. An operating system that allows you to scroll social media and view short form video content. It immediately shuts down if you attempt to do anything productive.
FerretFred 1y ago
Interesting .. I shall try this out as a VM in my Mac Airbook before I plunge headlong into making a purpose-built device.
prophesi 1y ago
Is it FOSS? Tried visiting the repo link at the bottom of the page and there's only a readme, a config file, and the license. [0] https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS
ckz 1y ago
Surprised my fellow typewriter folks haven't shown up yet! [paging @ebruchez] If you want the writerdeck experience I'll echo the recommendations here for an Alphasmart. The brute-force autotyping file transfer it uses is quaint but always amusing. Gave one to a screenwriter friend and it's now gotten regular use for years. PDAs are a solid choice as well that may resonate with the HN crowd. Don't sleep on owning an actual typewriter though. I have a small collection and use one daily. There's a rabbit hole of ~150 years of makes & models (most of which continue to function fine today) that will give any mechanical keyboard enthusiast much to chew on. :)
- tombert 1y ago
  I was born in 1990 with two geeky parents who always had a printer and at least one computer available, so I didn’t get to grow up using one, but my brain always sort of romanticized typewriters. I eventually bought a used Brother typewriter, and also one of those “word processors” that was basically a crappy computer that uses a typewriter as a printer. They were fun to play with, but ultimately I don’t really write fiction, and pretty much anything I do write about would necessitate internet access to research weird math or tech stuff. I could of course use my phone for that, and I tried that for a bit, but I found that even more distracting than a regular laptop would be. This, in combination of the lack of spelling and grammar checks made made made it so that it was never more than a toy for me, and I eventually gave it away. It made an extremely loud and satisfying “thunk” noise whenever it typed or printed and I admittedly do miss that sometimes. Maybe I should buy one of those color dotmatrix printers.
hank2000 1y ago
Give me automatic plaintext syncing (hell sync to GitHub) and no other network interface and it’s perfect. Otherwise I lose my three weeks of work like my mom lost writing her masters thesis. I don’t want to go back to that.
SanjayMehta 1y ago
An old MacBook with Scrivener is what I use.
tanin 1y ago
This looks interesting. I have a window laptop/tablet that I'd like to convert it into a simpler machine. I'll try it out. More screenshots would be appreciated. I was clicking around for a while only to realize there's only one screenshot that looks like Lotus 123...
elnatro 1y ago
What would be a good new laptop for this? Some Chromebook?
heisnotanalien 1y ago
I'm sorry but I just find this slightly ridiculous. Create a 'frictionless' environment as much as you want but it is never going to make you write. If you want to write then just write and overcome the internal resistance. It's NOT a tools problem.
- BaudouinVH 1y ago
  Each writer has his/hers own way of finding the mental state in which words start flowing. About "overcome the internal resistance" I suggest you read Steven Pressfield's "War of art". It describes resistance quite accurately imho.
w84death 1y ago
I did not realize but I made an equivalent of a OS for writer deck that fits on a single floppy! https://krzysztofjankowski.com/floppinux/ https://krzysztofjankowski.com/floppinux/ It boots latest Linux, spawns console and have Vi for editing persisted files on that boot floppy. Runs on 486 CPU.
adammarples 1y ago
I know tech people seem to love text above all else but for God's sake just include one single, clear and in focus image of what it actually looks and feels like SOMEWHERE near the top of whatever project you are promoting

207 points by surprisetalk 1y ago

deleted 1y ago

[deleted]

a single fucking screenshot would go a long way to convincing me this is real. considering I lost an hour yesterday trying to use an open source library that turned out to be vibe coded non-functional slop, I have to ask for evidence that the project is real and functional be presented front and center

matthewfcarlson 1y ago
I don’t disagree but in the about they explain it’s just a Debian install that boots into the tilde editor.
- prmoustache 1y ago
  I don't understand why they don't release it as a simple script, or better a config from a tool like puppet achieving idempotency. That opinion can also apply to many distro derivatives using the same packages as the original. Releasing images for what are just minor changes of configuration seems like a waste of storage, bandwith and energy in general.
  - noir_lord 1y ago
    If omarchy users understood linux they'd be really angry right now.
noir_lord 1y ago
It's real but it's essentially a shell script that modifies debian to start into tilde. https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS/blob/main/initialConfig.sh https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS/blob/main/initialC... Also I'd be semi-wary about downloading ISO files from somewhere like this and running those on hardware on my network (in fairness always should be) but especially given this https://github.com/tinkersec/TwitterAccountTakeover/tree/master https://github.com/tinkersec/TwitterAccountTakeover/tree/mas... No guarantee what is in the ISO is the result of applying that shell script to a fresh debian ISO and repacking (no guarantee the other way but eh not taking the time to dig into it).
forgotpwd16 1y ago
E.g. https://old.reddit.com/r/writerdeckOS/comments/1mu299a/ https://old.reddit.com/r/writerdeckOS/comments/1mu299a/ Not sure why such over-the-top presentation, marketing, and community building, for what is basically auto-logging in to a text editor.
- andoando 1y ago
  You just reminded me how much better old reddit was
- coffeebeqn 1y ago
  I built an OS!
dvh 1y ago
Certainly! Would you like me to generate screenshots of OS optimized for writing to satisfy your creative needs?
evolve2k 1y ago
Theres a screenshot here: https://writerdeckos.com/#usage https://writerdeckos.com/#usage My critique as a designer is that no typographic measure has been added (eg max-width), so it’s very hard to read. I’d suggest to them that they make a column in the middle for the text that is around 40 characters wide and Lee text flow in that. This is used by many text editions for their distraction free mode. It’d add more typographic ‘white space’ around the outside also, contributing to the calm and focussed intentions.
- deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
- robotresearcher 1y ago
  That’s not a screenshot, and it has very little text to be seen. This whole site should lead with a screenshot. The product is essentially a text window. Show us the product!

TeaVMFan 1y ago

I like the idea of a distraction-free writing environment. However, when I'm writing, I find I sometimes need to do research. I suppose for the best writing flow I should block time for research and time for pure writing. However, if I discover I need to look something up, a hard block on internet access would be a problem. Of course it's a slippery slope from researching something on Wikipedia to navigating to related articles. Timed access per hour?

noir_lord 1y ago
I like https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ and have used it for years and years, you can configure the look and feel pretty extensively. Lots of ways to skin that cat (especially if you are a linux user) but focuswriter does everything I need, very little I don't and there is a frame/mindset shift to using the same tool for a specific task.
embedding-shape 1y ago
> However, if I discover I need to look something up, a hard block on internet access would be a problem. When I'm in "writing mode", I forbid myself from doing quick lookups, because I can almost never stick to the "quick" part of the process, and end up chasing rabbits. Instead, I just put something like (verify) or (research to confirm yay/nay) while writing, and move on to what I can do in the moment. Then much later do I go through with a "editor" mindset and address all those things in one go, rather than in the moment. I guess kind of like picking work into a queue rather than doing it immediately, and leaving it hanging until I can work through the entire queue in one go.
- kstrauser 1y ago
  The old timey trick is to write “TK”, for “look this up later”. It’s not a common letter combination so it’s easy to visually or automatically scan for. Example: > The moon is TK miles from earth. Write away, don’t get distracted by the details, and catch up afterward when you’ve shifted to editor mode.
  - 1y ago

digilypse 1y ago

Closing your laptop can also provide a clean, portable writing platform.

jchw 1y ago

This is my first time hearing of the "WriterDeck" concept, so it's very possible that I am missing some context, but... While booting to text requires less work and less packages, it seems like it has a lot of caveats. Firstly, it will likely be unreadable on any laptop that has a high resolution screen, and frankly even some old cheap laptops have one at this point, at least 1.5x~ish-scale DPI. Secondly, obviously better typography can be done in a graphical user interface, which seems like something you'd want if you're going to be writing on something. Thirdly, while the utter lack of distractions is admirable, this will also lack even the most crucial features and information. For example, I don't think you will even realize if your battery is about to die, which seems like it is a good way to accidentally lose a bunch of work. Battery state is probably the only thing that I really think it must show you. It would definitely take a bit more work but a tiny dedicated graphical environment that functions as a basic text editor seems like it could go further. No particular need for Wayland or X11 here, either; you could get away with a simple Qt application directly on KMS/DRM.

noir_lord 1y ago
https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download is Qt based so that'd get you most of it, last time I compiled it the deps where Qt/SDL. GPL3 licensed.
catach 1y ago
> Battery state is probably the only thing that I really think it must show you. The screenshot provided does show a battery indicator in the top right of the UI (Usage section).
- jchw 1y ago
  In my defense, I couldn't see that part of the screenshot because of the way the page crops it responsively.
eichin 1y ago
Existing products include Freewrite and Pomera; there's also a pretty big nostalgia/retro space around the AlphaSmart, the eMate 300, and the Tandy 100. (As far as I know the pomera is the one that's linux underneath but completely hidden - it's particularly funny that it has wifi, but the only thing you can do with it is set the clock!)

teddyh 1y ago

For those who prefer Emacs over tilde: startx emacs --maximized --funcall=darkroom-mode

sebastianconcpt 1y ago

No autosaving. That's the wrong way to try to be minimalist.

ciaranmca 1y ago
Yea, that’s something that stuck out to me as well. Seems like auto save and version control could be done in a minimalist manner whist improving QOL
- phoe-krk 1y ago
  I really enjoyed using CherryTree on top of Git with automatic commit and sync. Getting readable diffs (via using XML as an output format) is meaningful.
instantnews 1y ago
Thanks!

1970-01-01 1y ago

I had a good laugh. Why does anyone want this? Put Linux on your laptop and nuke the network stack. Done.

smlavine 1y ago
Because then you'd have to do that.
- dangus 1y ago
  Not much you really have to do though. Take your standard Linux distro… Make a new user. Login. Uninstall the apps you don’t want. Uninstall the web browser. You don’t really even have to set up an autostart script to turn off WiFi for this user, but you can if you want. The user not having a web browser installed should be enough. That’s it, you’re done.
  - coffeebeqn 1y ago
    Or pull the wifi chip out of the m.2 slot
wkjagt 1y ago
You're clearly not the intended audience but that doesn't mean no one could want this.

cosmic_cheese 1y ago

The idea of a low-distraction laptop OS is a good one, but I'm not sure that this is necessarily the best approach. If I mentally model such a thing myself, I end up with something that looks a lot like Classic (pre-OS-X) Mac OS. It's simplified and has just enough presence to properly host graphical applications. No taskbar, no notifications (or associated drawer), no self-populated launcher menu. File manager is spatial so it doesn't need a sidebar or navigation chrome. Multitasking is technically possible, but high-friction since the only way to switch between running apps is the little app switcher menu in the top right corner and becomes more cumbersome the more apps/windows you open. Included browser does not support tabs, only windows. Shortcuts to frequently used apps must be added intentionally (to your desktop as aliases/shortcuts or to the launcher menu). This design strongly encourages singular focus without forcing it. If you want to have music playing in the background or need to open a browser window for research you can, but gravity is constantly pulling you back towards your task since the machine isn't pleasant to use for goofing off.

tobyjsullivan 1y ago
Not exactly this but found a similar experience recently by throwing Linux lite on an 15-year-old thinkpad with a physical wifi switch. Was for my kid in this case. Loaded a few education-friendly games and then disabled the wifi. Now it’s a simple, focused, and relatively safe box. Could easily do the same for writing or any other activity.
CTDOCodebases 1y ago
This is intended for people who want to use a laptop as a single use device for the purpose of writing. So basic file management and a word processor is all that is needed. WriterdeckOS is not meant to be an OS for general computing. Purppose built writerdecks are quite expensive. WriterdeckOS is a practical, inexpensive and resourceful alternative to a purpose build device. For more information on writerdecks check out: https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/ https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/
- cout 1y ago
  This is the main reason I keep my PS/2 around with WordPerfect 5.1. Sure I can go browse the web with Minuet, or I used to before https everywhere, but that means saving and exiting WP. And 30+ years later I'm still waiting for a word processor with a decent Reveal Codes.

pmarreck 1y ago

Some of these options would have been way cooler than Tilde; perhaps it could provide alternate options too? https://terminaltrove.com/categories/text-editors/ https://terminaltrove.com/categories/text-editors/

kosolam 1y ago

Nice idea, however, here is a satire piece about writing and writers which I find relevant in this context: https://medium.com/@Justwritet/you-are-not-a-real-writer-if-5eaa1ff9ca62 https://medium.com/@Justwritet/you-are-not-a-real-writer-if-...

aplc0r 1y ago

While I don't have a use for this, I do like the idea of purposeful modes in computing. Obviously there is a lot you can do with shortcuts and preferences, but its nice to have a limited to base to start with. I think this is even more important with a mobile platform since for one, battery and processing power is at a premium, and two anything with notifications could take you out of your desired "mode" if you don't wrangle them properly. Something I've always wanted in a smartphone is to be able to boot into a "camera only" mode. There have been many times where all I need my phone for is as a camera, and I don't want it wasting resources/battery doing anything else. If this mode were light enough, it could boot up in the same amount of time as a normal digital camera, allowing your the phone to be truly off while you're not taking pictures. I do often take a digital camera with me, but sometimes I don't want the bulk or maybe I didn't initially plan to take a lot of pictures.

HotGarbage 1y ago

This really should be a live-USB image instead of something you have to install

ethmarks 1y ago

Kind of a sidenote, but I really hate these page transitions. They're way too slow. Especially because the site has a 114-kilobyte 908-rule inline CSS stylesheet. If you're going to make me download this much CSS, at least make sure it doesn't render your site unusable for nearly a full second even after the page loads.

sharts 1y ago

Why does the OS need to be purpose/task oriented and not, say, the UI instead. Being able to toggle a mode in your desktop environment / window manager / etc would do a lot

wyre 1y ago
Can’t your OS do that already?
yousif_123123 1y ago
Probably to help you avoid being distracted given the higher friction of rebooting if your dual booting or going to another device vs just launching another browser tab..

tiltowait 1y ago

The idea is fine, though the execution seems obnoxious for getting your writing out of your system. The trouble is, depending on what you’re writing, Tilde might be a massive downgrade. For novels, I find something like Scrivener essential. I’ve looked into a few options like this over the years (e.g. the Freewrite, or even an old Alphasmart), but always came to the conclusion they added more friction to my writing process, not less.

tombot 1y ago

Why isn’t there autosaving? Why go to all this effort to make such a hostile UX?

spankibalt 1y ago
Because autosaving lacks the neccessary fashion irony.
ergocoder 1y ago
It's against the writer's manifesto. The writers should always always recall their materials. Auto-save is an opposite of that. You can see the full manifesto here: writermanifesto.com.

humanfromearth9 1y ago

Exactly the kind of OS I needed for my laptop, which has one of the most powerful i7 processors for laptops, a 12GB RTX and 128GB RAM...

amelius 1y ago

Why not just use a regular OS, install everything you need, then kill the internet connection?

CTDOCodebases 1y ago
This isn't really targeting Linux users. It's targeting people who want to write without distraction who might have never used Linux before.
- indrora 1y ago
  Except that this is the most Linux brained way of approaching it: Here's a shell! It's running a funny text editor! IF you need anything just use bash :)"

neilv 1y ago

* There's definitely a place for well-designed and genuine solutions for these, when most of the tech application and platform space is dominated by design for engagement, sales, and flashiness, with what might be considered pervasive dark patterns. * The choice of using shell commands for file management, and for getting files onto and off the device, seems like it could increase distraction, or make the device uninviting. * Many writers -- whether they're bloggers/substack-like, newsletter writers, self-published books-writing, or working with a traditional publisher -- have many other writing and non-writing professional tasks that they might like to do without juggling multiple devices. So they might want a single that is designed for low-distraction, but that can run ordinary GUI apps like Web and email, when needed. The low-distraction design might include modes, in which you can set the device for writing-only mode, and then sometimes enable Web&email research functions, Web&email administrative functions, Web&email social-marketing functions, etc. (A lot of that last function set, for social-marketing, involves accessing engagement/cesspool-oriented social media directly rather than through automation, if you're engaging genuinely, which is massive distraction, and maybe you just don't want to have possible from this device, and keep it on a phone or tablet instead. But for self-publishers, there are also some professional marketing Web sites that you are more likely to want to access directly from this professional low-distraction device, when in that mode.)

jrm4 1y ago

Is this really terminal only? No autosave? Something GUI with nice enough proportional fonts and autosave seems like a very bare minimum here.

helterskelter 1y ago

I've created something in a similar fashion. I have a dedicated machine for writing with ArchLinux, nvim+plugins, zk and kiwix. Not much else to it really. I've been thinking about pulling the wireless card out of it, but so far internet discipline hasn't been a huge issue, the main thing is that I know when I'm using that machine it's time to work.

tlhunter 1y ago

How does one export their documents? By manually mounting USB drives?

awaymazdacx5 1y ago

Running a linux-kernel on the bare-bones pre-bootstrapped UX, whixh is hotplugged as prior OS compilation either as .py scripts or extricating numpy functions.

hrdwdmrbl 1y ago

Call me names but I couldn't work without an AI

arkensaw 1y ago

A word of caution. > WARNING: This will erase everything on the laptop you install it on. Please make backups before beginning. I ran it a few months back without reading everything. I was trying a bunch of different linux distros via bootable USB drives, when I tried this one and it wiped the underlying drive. Luckily enough it was just a test machine, I didn't lose anything crucial.

stavros 1y ago
It didn't ask you to confirm it would wipe things? You just booted and the data was gone? That seems like a massively user-hostile choice.
- lucaslazarus 1y ago
  What did you think they meant by distraction-free? Vibes? Essays? Papers?
  - __del__ 1y ago
    It's not abundantly clear that merely booting this operating system FORMATS YOUR DISK. Yes, there's a grub menu, but it has something like a 2 second timeout before it destroys all your data.
    - lucaslazarus 1y ago
      Yes, of course that is terrible and should be made way more clear. My response was a joke about how it technically sure does eliminate distractions.

mofosyne 1y ago

There's a youtube video about this OS if you want to see what it visually looks like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWx1Rn76Gg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWx1Rn76Gg The Linux Distro For Writers --- Mr and Mrs Linux

JKCalhoun 1y ago

An old AlphaSmart can be picked up for a few hundred dollars on eBay. Kind of a clever distraction-free text editor. I picked up a couple a few years ago. Pretty clever in that, one way it transfers files. You connect the device via USB to a functional computer and ready an empty document in your text-editor of choice. Push a button on the device and it sends the internal text as though from a USB keyboard to your computer: speed-typing [1]. [1] https://youtu.be/xXuRZbq8-0s?si=AbLZ4DcnhpkUYANG&t=93 https://youtu.be/xXuRZbq8-0s?si=AbLZ4DcnhpkUYANG&t=93

specproc 1y ago
I have an AlphaSmart. I never really got on with it and will probably sell it soon. I quite like the approach proposed here: can re-use your own hardware, bring your own monitor (I hated the AlphaSmart's screen), even hack around a bit from bash.
ckz 1y ago
Just a note for those in the market (as someone with the unusual distinction of owning ~30 Alphasmarts), a few hundred $ is more like a top of the line, NIB/serviced Alphasmart Neo 2 with bag, manual, etc. If you just want to try out distraction-free writing with USB a used AS3000 is easily found <$50 (YMMV re. battery corrosion).
- JKCalhoun 1y ago
  When I was shopping for one, I decided to get the one most favored (as you point out, the delta might be $150—fortunately that was not an obstacle for me). My worry was that if I got the less-favored model (or worst, a non-functioning one) my impression of the whole line might not be a fair one. And FWIW, I like the machine. But I have barely used mine. But that has more to do with my procrastination at sitting down and writing in general.

re_spond 1y ago

Would love to try if I could swap out the underlying Tilde editor with classic Wordperfect... seems like https://github.com/taviso/wpunix https://github.com/taviso/wpunix Might actually be the perfect fit for this (for me).

coffeebeqn 1y ago
Now that looks like the kind of rich text editor I’ve been looking for
pmarreck 1y ago
whoa, this is actually a fascinating option. unfortunately not on nixpkgs, probably due to licensing issues, but I bet I could put together a flake.nix for it but also: ooof, of COURSE it has encoding issues: https://github.com/taviso/wpunix/issues/64 https://github.com/taviso/wpunix/issues/64

noduerme 1y ago

I wish I still had my old TRS-80 Model 100, my first computer. In some ways it solved for most of the problems I have with writing in public on a tablet or a laptop. Basically a big mechanical keyboard with a small low-res screen that ran for a long time on AA batteries.

locusofself 1y ago

I tried something like this a while back, where I just installed a very minimal ubuntu system with nano and vim and not much else on an older laptop (no X windows or Wayland for sure).

alabhyajindal 1y ago

Nice! I have another idea: DerangedOS. An operating system that allows you to scroll social media and view short form video content. It immediately shuts down if you attempt to do anything productive.

FerretFred 1y ago

Interesting .. I shall try this out as a VM in my Mac Airbook before I plunge headlong into making a purpose-built device.

prophesi 1y ago

Is it FOSS? Tried visiting the repo link at the bottom of the page and there's only a readme, a config file, and the license. [0] https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS

ckz 1y ago

Surprised my fellow typewriter folks haven't shown up yet! [paging @ebruchez] If you want the writerdeck experience I'll echo the recommendations here for an Alphasmart. The brute-force autotyping file transfer it uses is quaint but always amusing. Gave one to a screenwriter friend and it's now gotten regular use for years. PDAs are a solid choice as well that may resonate with the HN crowd. Don't sleep on owning an actual typewriter though. I have a small collection and use one daily. There's a rabbit hole of ~150 years of makes & models (most of which continue to function fine today) that will give any mechanical keyboard enthusiast much to chew on. :)

tombert 1y ago
I was born in 1990 with two geeky parents who always had a printer and at least one computer available, so I didn’t get to grow up using one, but my brain always sort of romanticized typewriters. I eventually bought a used Brother typewriter, and also one of those “word processors” that was basically a crappy computer that uses a typewriter as a printer. They were fun to play with, but ultimately I don’t really write fiction, and pretty much anything I do write about would necessitate internet access to research weird math or tech stuff. I could of course use my phone for that, and I tried that for a bit, but I found that even more distracting than a regular laptop would be. This, in combination of the lack of spelling and grammar checks made made made it so that it was never more than a toy for me, and I eventually gave it away. It made an extremely loud and satisfying “thunk” noise whenever it typed or printed and I admittedly do miss that sometimes. Maybe I should buy one of those color dotmatrix printers.

hank2000 1y ago

Give me automatic plaintext syncing (hell sync to GitHub) and no other network interface and it’s perfect. Otherwise I lose my three weeks of work like my mom lost writing her masters thesis. I don’t want to go back to that.

SanjayMehta 1y ago

An old MacBook with Scrivener is what I use.

tanin 1y ago

This looks interesting. I have a window laptop/tablet that I'd like to convert it into a simpler machine. I'll try it out. More screenshots would be appreciated. I was clicking around for a while only to realize there's only one screenshot that looks like Lotus 123...

elnatro 1y ago

What would be a good new laptop for this? Some Chromebook?

heisnotanalien 1y ago

I'm sorry but I just find this slightly ridiculous. Create a 'frictionless' environment as much as you want but it is never going to make you write. If you want to write then just write and overcome the internal resistance. It's NOT a tools problem.

BaudouinVH 1y ago
Each writer has his/hers own way of finding the mental state in which words start flowing. About "overcome the internal resistance" I suggest you read Steven Pressfield's "War of art". It describes resistance quite accurately imho.

w84death 1y ago

I did not realize but I made an equivalent of a OS for writer deck that fits on a single floppy! https://krzysztofjankowski.com/floppinux/ https://krzysztofjankowski.com/floppinux/ It boots latest Linux, spawns console and have Vi for editing persisted files on that boot floppy. Runs on 486 CPU.

adammarples 1y ago

I know tech people seem to love text above all else but for God's sake just include one single, clear and in focus image of what it actually looks and feels like SOMEWHERE near the top of whatever project you are promoting