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06-4-2017 17:23:53  #1


The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

If you haven't heard, there's been two fundraising projects for a callback to the simplicity of a typewriter with the benefits of modernity. I realize there's no replacing the traditional touch of a typewriter but to those who are curious, click the images below.

 



The lofree fundraiser ends April 11, 2017 and the Penna fundraiser ends May 6, 2017.

 


 Read between the lines, I'll be there.
 
 

07-4-2017 10:10:10  #2


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

The LOFREE looks horrible. And what's with the PENNA? Wood (real or simulated) is not the first material that one thinks of when wanting to capture the look and feel of a typewriter keyboard. Regardless, aren't there a number of typewriter-inspired computer keyboards already out there? I'm sure we've documented some of them in the forum. A fellow collector in my area has one and it looks far better than these two offerings.


The pronoun has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
 

07-4-2017 12:59:44  #3


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

Lofree---ha, ha, ha. Penna might be on to something, though. Finally somebody has made the Backspace key large enough in proportion to its importance! Large enough to actually be usable, too!

What's that lever-looking thing on the left side? Wood doesn't bother me so long as it's real, but those front corners sure look awkward.

I hope someone posts the asking prices, 'cause I'm not gonna click on the pics. Too much trouble.

 

07-4-2017 13:27:10  #4


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

M. Höhne wrote:

I hope someone posts the asking prices, 'cause I'm not gonna click on the pics. Too much trouble.

Okay, you made me look. $129 USD for the Lofry and $180 USD for the Penne. To be fair they both have many more colour/material options than the photos in the first post might suggest, and some definitely look better than others. Also, there are many functions to these keyboards above and beyond the $15 plastic keyboard you would buy for a desktop computer. Still not for me though. If I want to feel like I'm using a typewriter, I'll just use the real thing.

Oh, and that whammy bar on the Penne-alla-vodka? It's a "macro bar" used for assigning macro functions to specific keys. Meh. 


The pronoun has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
 

07-4-2017 14:01:10  #5


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

Uwe wrote:

The LOFREE looks horrible. And what's with the PENNA? Wood (real or simulated) is not the first material that one thinks of when wanting to capture the look and feel of a typewriter keyboard. Regardless, aren't there a number of typewriter-inspired computer keyboards already out there? I'm sure we've documented some of them in the forum. A fellow collector in my area has one and it looks far better than these two offerings.

I know that there is the USB Typewriter, that one is more true to the original material it seems. You get to select your make and model for the preferred typing experience.


 


 Read between the lines, I'll be there.
 
     Thread Starter
 

07-4-2017 17:53:29  #6


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

Those kits have been around for years and they've been discussed here many times over. I've never understood the attraction of using a straight-to-digital interface (never mind that it's a demeaning contraption for a vintage typewriter to suffer). It seems a novelty to me, one that would wear itself out rather quickly, and as such targeted at the occasional typist.

Someone who types every day, and does so because a typewriter is the main component in a preferred writing process, is not going to want to stare at a tablet mounted on the carriage of their favorite machine. If I'm going to use a monitor of any kind then I'll just use a computer. I prefer to write my drafts and edit them using real paper, and preferably as far from a computer as I can get. And when the time comes to digitize things as they approach a final draft, I just scan the pages and use OCR software to turn it all into a Word file. 

Obviously this is just my opinion, but I consider all of these gadgets, the USB Typewriter Kit and those simulated typewriter keyboards, more of interest to those who aren't actually invested in using a typewriter as a writing tool. 


The pronoun has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
 

07-4-2017 20:23:13  #7


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

Uwe wrote:

Those kits have been around for years and they've been discussed here many times over. I've never understood the attraction of using a straight-to-digital interface (never mind that it's a demeaning contraption for a vintage typewriter to suffer). It seems a novelty to me, one that would wear itself out rather quickly, and as such targeted at the occasional typist.

Someone who types every day, and does so because a typewriter is the main component in a preferred writing process, is not going to want to stare at a tablet mounted on the carriage of their favorite machine. If I'm going to use a monitor of any kind then I'll just use a computer. I prefer to write my drafts and edit them using real paper, and preferably as far from a computer as I can get. And when the time comes to digitize things as they approach a final draft, I just scan the pages and use OCR software to turn it all into a Word file. 

Obviously this is just my opinion, but I consider all of these gadgets, the USB Typewriter Kit and those simulated typewriter keyboards, more of interest to those who aren't actually invested in using a typewriter as a writing tool. 

Of course, I don't mean to press this suggestions onto those traditionalists. I'm just giving awareness of what is out there. I see more values to be had from the original machines. A stark white screen can become a distraction as quickly as it gives its user ease. If anything, I would hope that this nostalgic callbacks make me people more curious about typewriters, even enough to go out and experience one for themselves.


 Read between the lines, I'll be there.
 
     Thread Starter
 

07-4-2017 22:48:31  #8


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

BrentMWiggins wrote:

... I would hope that this nostalgic callbacks make me people more curious about typewriters, even enough to go out and experience one for themselves.

I believe that the collector I mentioned in post #2 (who's a member here too) actually did start off with one of those high-end simulated keyboards, which peaked his interest in trying a real machine. So it is a good point, but something tells me he's the exception to the rule and that most buyers are just tech junkies who like unusual accessories.


The pronoun has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
 

08-4-2017 08:03:16  #9


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

Uwe wrote:

...something tells me he's the exception to the rule and that most buyers are just tech junkies who like unusual accessories.

Most consumers seem unaware of previous technology and rely heavily on the "now" or "the next big thing." Some technologies are seamless and always reliable. Others will be overrated and quickly replaced or hardly used. These iterations of the modern typewriter do feel overplayed and I suppose they are more for attention and aesthetic to begin with, after all, it is just a keyboard that looks like a typewriter. There is no THWACK! only a simulated soundboard's effect. 


 Read between the lines, I'll be there.
 
     Thread Starter
 

18-4-2017 13:25:07  #10


Re: The Modern Typewriter, Keyboards That Is

I can testify to some of this. The USB typewriter was kind of my gateway drug into this world of typewriters. (Here's the link to mine). It was kind of a cool novelty, but I don't use it very much any more--only as an occasional break from the monotony of my laptop for my longer book- and article-length projects. But now I've got eight other machines here in my office, and another six at home in various states of repair, and three more in various locations across the east coast and upper midwest, just waiting for me to pick them up! 

 

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