> And here’s the most modern version of a practice keyboard I know of – itself a small computer.
The author should check out the AlphaSmart line of devices made into the early 2000s, especially the early pre-PalmOS devices! I was kind of surprised not to see any on the list.
My Neo2 is basically a very simple buffer you can type into and dump into a computer later. It transmits to computer by emulating a USB keyboard and dumping the contents keystroke by keystroke into whatever program you happen to have running.
In addition though it has a very simple typing tutor. There's not much to it, it's no true Mavis Beacon alternative but it's a fun little addition to such a simple device.
I actually work with a number of former AlphaSmart employees, which is funny because I bought my Neo2 as a writing aid before I knew any of this. I was telling a coworker about it and he replies "You know I worked on that, right?" No, I did not. Small world.
Very fun to peruse! Curious why the olivetti typewriter has such strangely shaped key caps.
While it seems like OLPC didn't really achieve the full vision of the project, I have some anecdata of success - my coworker got an OLPC when young (otherwise without access to computers), learned to code on it, and is now an awesome programmer.
At the end is the OLPC, whose keyboard was as bad as as it looks. Like typing on a Silpat. Yet I used the hell out of it, would take it hiking even - it was indestructible. Mine's logo was green and purple and I miss it every day
Excellent and super interesting collection! I have the NeXT keyboard, and I used it as my daily driver on my Mac for a while. It has a regular ADB port, so depending on the vintage of your Mac, you can use it directly or with an iMate USB adapter. Once you get used to the convenience of the Command bar, it's really hard to go back to regular ⌘ keys. Weird how this didn't catch on. The lack of function keys is a big minus, though.
And I always wanted an Avid keyboard just because it looks cool (the Extended Keyboard II version, though), but they were always rare and/or expensive.
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The author should check out the AlphaSmart line of devices made into the early 2000s, especially the early pre-PalmOS devices! I was kind of surprised not to see any on the list.
My Neo2 is basically a very simple buffer you can type into and dump into a computer later. It transmits to computer by emulating a USB keyboard and dumping the contents keystroke by keystroke into whatever program you happen to have running.
In addition though it has a very simple typing tutor. There's not much to it, it's no true Mavis Beacon alternative but it's a fun little addition to such a simple device.
I actually work with a number of former AlphaSmart employees, which is funny because I bought my Neo2 as a writing aid before I knew any of this. I was telling a coworker about it and he replies "You know I worked on that, right?" No, I did not. Small world.
And a fun easter egg if you type 1 + 1 in the calculator.
While it seems like OLPC didn't really achieve the full vision of the project, I have some anecdata of success - my coworker got an OLPC when young (otherwise without access to computers), learned to code on it, and is now an awesome programmer.
At the end is the OLPC, whose keyboard was as bad as as it looks. Like typing on a Silpat. Yet I used the hell out of it, would take it hiking even - it was indestructible. Mine's logo was green and purple and I miss it every day
And I always wanted an Avid keyboard just because it looks cool (the Extended Keyboard II version, though), but they were always rare and/or expensive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-cadet_keyboard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaata/collections/721576...