Computing desk
< January 17	<< Dec \| January \| Feb >>	January 19 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Computing Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

January 18

Simplest possible writing laptop/netbook/whatever

I'm getting lost in terminology trying to find out about this topic, so I hope I can source some knowledge here.

There's a recurring problem of writers on the move: having the time and/or inspiration to get some good writin' done, but a) being in a situation where one's normal writing machine isn't available, or where it's impractical to lug it along, and b) being averse to putting stuff down on paper because retyping is a slog, and anyway one would like to have all previous text available for cross-reference.

I'm trying to find out what the simplest possible (i.e. non-fanciest) portable computer solution to this problem might be. I need a really light, small laptop with a reasonably sized keyboard, long battery life and no other requirements than running some text processing software. I don't even need net access, and a single USB port would do for peripherals. Basically I want a non-Stone Age version of an AlphaSmart (which sucked, BTW - one does need a real screen). The obvious corollary is that this thing would hopefully be cheap and I wouldn't feel that I'm risking a fortune when I chuck this into a side pocket to come camping with me.

I'm aware that something this primitive probably doesn't even exist, but I'd like to try and get close to it. I thought that something under the heading of netbook might fit the bill, but these seem to have morphed into full laptops in recent years. Can someone point me in the right direction? Is there an established market for people who want the electronic equivalent of literal notebook? --Elmidae (talk · contribs) 15:39, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Are you aware that iPad can connect to a wireless bluetooth keyboard or can operate with a Smart Keyboard built into its case? It also works with popular word processing software like Microsoft Word and Pages. The very same approach could also work on iPhone, if you prefer an even smaller screen.

Some major American retailers sell iPad for under $200. It is difficult to find other high-quality new personal computers, of any type, at that price point. More advanced and larger iPad models climb the price ladder up to the latest brand new large model with cellular data capability, which retails for around $1129 in the United States.

...Far be it from me to eschew brand loyalty, but in total truth, I am tempted to buy myself a Getac F110 Windows Tablet after I read all about the cool stuff NASA's F-18 pilots are using them for down at Dryden in last month's news ... from the photos, it looks like it's got ethernet and my guess is that the Windows programmers have actually written an Ethernet software driver that lets it connect to the F-18's onboard ethernet network... that's a feature set that Foreflight for iPad just doesn't offer! All this said - I still carry an actual, paper-made-from-trees notebook at all times, because there are some times when paper just works better. (Did you notice that F-18 pilot has a real actual paper print-out of his official airframe checklist tucked under his advanced avionics? When you work with advanced technology a whole lot, you learn to never trust advanced technology for anything important.)

Nimur (talk) 15:50, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Nearly every Android device has bluetooth. There are many bluetooth keyboards. Some are foldable. Some roll up. Some like tiny pens that project onto any hard surface. Your choice of keyboard style is nearly limitless. Google Docs works both with and without an internet connection. You need the internet connection to save updates to Google and pull them down to another device. But, you can make edits to a local copy of a document or create a new local document without an internet connection. So, you have any android device you like as the display and any keyboard you like to type on. I am positive that an equivalent system works for iPhone and iPad devices. If done correctly, you can use the phone you are already carrying with you as your display. If you just want to type a short note, use the phone's built-in virtual keyboard. If you want to get a real session going, pull out the keyboard. When you have internet connection, your changes will sync up with Google. Then, in the end, you can download a finished document in Microsoft Word format from Google Docs and do finishing touches on your computer. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 18:06, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm. So, tablet with extra keyboard? - There certainly seems to be a lot of keyboard styles around, including ones that provide a case for the tablet. Neat. And older models of, e.g., iPad Mini seem to be going quite cheaply... --Elmidae (talk · contribs) 18:15, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Here is, IMO, the best solution: [1][2][3][4][5][6] --Guy Macon (talk) 18:49, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Ye-es... I had an AlphaSmart for several years; all I ever got out of it was a single short story, and that was a pain. I find I need to be able to copy and shove chunks around, and to page and scroll freely, as I tend to write in disjointed sections. That nano display just doesn't cut it in that regard. Battery life was otherwordly, though, and one could hit rocks with the thing and it didn't even creak.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 19:00, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

The above requirements would seem to be best met with a low cost laptop (you get to decide regarding screen size vs. portability) running Tiny Core Linux, VIM or Neovim, perhaps Libre Office, and nothing else. --Guy Macon (talk) 21:31, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Check out the PocketCHIP, $69 for a tiny linux/debian computer, integrated QWERTY keyboard, also has wi-fi and bluetooth. They are kind of pushing it as a game maching (Pico-8 is indeed charming fun), but I know people who are using it for note taking, SSH, all kinds of other unixy/hackery fun. It will fit in you pocket if you have fairly large pockets :) SemanticMantis (talk) 19:14, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Damn spiffy. Man, I would have killed for this in the 80s... but that screen really doesn't look as if it would do text too well. -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 19:31, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, there's someone running Quake 3 on it in decent resolution. Huh :) --Elmidae (talk · contribs) 19:33, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, I like to describe it as coming from an alternate universe where "palmtop" computers took off an iphones never existed :) To clarify on legibility: I can easily get a readable 80x24 console (my eyes are ok, but not great). The default console easily scales fonts, and you can also do font control via whatever writing application you choose to use. I primarily use it for the unix shell, which is 100% all about text. If I'm writing much, I usually opt for less rows/columns in exchange for larger fonts. One warning: It is the older style resistive "touch" screen, so it's not all that great for touching with a finger, but it works fine with a stylus. I have not yet tried a stylus-based handwriting note application, but it seems you're more interested in typing anyway. I got mine because I really wanted a small one-piece device, cheap, with a full qwerty keyboard. For example I can use my PocketCHIP on a 10 minute bus ride, but getting out a tablet and a bluetooth keyboard (and a stand?) would be too bulky and annoying. SemanticMantis (talk) 20:12, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Looking at some more screenshots, that might indeed be reasonable text output. So how is the keyboard behaving? Can you actually touch-type on this?-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 07:33, 19 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

"touch type"-- yes and no. Certainly I cannot touch type with my fingers as I would on a full-size traditional computer keyboard. I 'can' use my thumbs to type without looking (I had already trained myself a bit at this with touch-screen keyboards on smart phones). I definitely have to hunt around for special characters, because those are in non-standard places, but I'm getting better, and if you're talking short stories, you probably don't have frequent use of {`~^|\ etc. The keyboard does not have keys per se, but little metal buttons coated in a thin film of plastic, and they require a bit of force to hit. The main thing recommending this device is price, portability, and versatility/power in such a package. I'd happily type a few hundred words over a 10 minute period, a few times a day, but I'd not recommend it for serious longer term writing, e.g. if you tried to write on it for a 3 hours every day, you'd WP:OR probably give yourself some repetitive strain injury.

The keyboard can also be improved in various ways, e.g. [7] [8] [9], I may get order a print of the final one from the files thingiverse [10] myself. That's one other pro in my book, this thing is highly customizable and extensible, and seems to have already gathered a pretty big and helpful user/developer base. SemanticMantis (talk) 16:26, 19 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds as if I might need an external keyboard here, as with the tablet combo above. Still, the beast is quite a lot cheaper and cute as an 8-bit button :p Tempted. --Elmidae (talk · contribs) 18:11, 19 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

You can also get a USB on the go adaptor for most Android (and possibly iPhone/Windows Phone) mobiles, and then connect a keyboard/mouse to it. LongHairedFop (talk) 19:40, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hey User:Elmidae, check out this gizmo [11] Honestly the $500 price seems too much to me, but the e-ink screen looks nice, and in most ways it seems like it might be a nicer Alphasmart with bigger screen. SemanticMantis (talk) 17:09, 20 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. This would be it. AlphaSmart with a serious screen; perfect. - But yeah, not for 500 bucks. If they go to 250 in the near future, I'm getting me one. This is a hopeful developement, I must say, clearly people do crave this kind of appliance :) -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 18:57, 20 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

I have uninstalled a program from my laptop, but some data doesn't removed. (namely some "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" items). How can I remove them? I must add these issues: 1. These items carry some data that include registry info and don't let me to reinstall the program. 2. These info even don't let me to install any earlier version. Thanks in advanceFreshman404^Talk 19:17, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Those are Windows Registry entries. You should be able to remove them with the built-in Windows Registry editor. Back up the Registry before making any changes. A Web search for "windows registry edit" will give you many results with thorough details, if you're not familiar with the Registry. --47.138.163.230 (talk) 21:20, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

If only someone had thought to make a program that would do such a thing for you ;) Try ZSoft_Uninstaller. Unfortunately it might be too late now, I think you have to do a "snapshot" before you install the program, so you might have to figure it out "the hard way" this time. Vespine (talk) 22:02, 18 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe you can install the program on another pc (or a virtual pc) and monitor the registry while it is installing. That way you'll know which modifications to the registry are made by that piece of software, and you can manually undo them. (((The Quixotic Potato))) (talk) 00:49, 19 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

In most cases, using regedit, you can easily find your program name (or the name of the manufacturer) under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software registry subkey. Delete that entry. Make a backup first. Jahoe (talk) 16:02, 19 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]