pmn@mhuxl.UUCP (NAUMAN) (04/20/84)
I was just about to throw out a JS&A catalog that came in the mail when I came across something that I thought was interesting. In the catalog there is a full page layout on a device called the Microwriter. It is essentially a 5 button typewriter with a serial port, 8K of RAM, and a 16 character LCD. The 5 buttons are shaped like a handprint and are to be operated with one hand. The 8K and LCD are fairly useless, I think, but the article claims that people have found this device extremely comfortable to use and learn. In fact they claim that once learned "it's the smoothest link from your brain to the written word". Has anyone ever come across one of these or heard of their use ? Would it be worth trying one to see (they list for a hefty $499) ? Paul Nauman harpo!mhuxl!pmn
jph@whuxle.UUCP (04/30/84)
#R:mhuxl:-129800:whuxle:32500001:000:695 whuxle!jph Apr 30 13:32:00 1984 I have a Microwriter and found it relatively easy to learn and to remember what the keystrokes are after having not used it for some time. It is a nice device and easy to use if you are sitting in a chair and want to take notes without having to look at the paper and such. It can also be hooked up to a computer and used as a `terminal'. The LCD display may not be large enough, but you can scroll back and forth to see what you received. It makes an interesting alternative keyboard that you can use with your terminal, especially if you have a personal computer. This is also the mechanism that is used to dump the data you have recorded back to a host computer. Jim Holtman WH 1B-310 x4900
gurr@west44.UUCP (05/07/84)
<would you believe I even put this in the local news....>
The Microwriter that you refer to is a British invention (fanfare, applause
etc.) and has received a very good press though a rather mixed consumer
reaction.
The main consensus of opinion is that the Microwriter *IS* as easy to use as
they claim, and (if you can afford it) is well worth the money.
Due to the rather high price of this machine, they also produce a version
which acts merely as a new keyboard for your existing computer (probably a
better idea for most people, since most of us are unlikely to want to word-
process on the move). I know of an interface for the Acorn BBC micro, but I
wouldn't think that it would be too difficult to rig it to work on any
machine with an RS232 interface (the package is essentially software). If
anyone wants some more info on either of these products, mail me via uucp and
I'll scour my back-issues.
cbosgd
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Dave Gurr (CS Undergraduate),
c/o Westfield College,
Kidderpore Avenue,
Hampstead,
LONDON NW3 7ST,
ENGLAND.