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I Want a Cyberdeck


2021-01-12T20:49


A few weeks ago someone (around here in Gemini but I forgot who and where, if it's you drop me a note and I'll link you) mentioned 'cyberdeck' with a link to Reddit. I'd never heard of a cyberdeck before and curiously took a look.


I was instantly reminded of a project of mine from a few years ago.


Building A True Unix Keyboard


I eventually intended to drop a i7 NUC into a keyboard, but I somehow damaged it before it was built and I lost interest in the project and it never progressed passed a keyboard connected to a Nexus 7.


I was using the Nexus 7 as a thin-client to a machine on the net using JuiceSSH to get there. In all, the experience was bad. Android's keyboard control was poor causing me to constantly be jumping back to the mouse, or worse, the touch screen. I came to agree with Steve Jobs; a touch screen doesn't work on a laptop. I also didn't like being entirely reliant on the network for it to work.


More recently I was reading about the AlphaSmart 3000¹ which spurred my interest in a dedicated writing machine again; a project I've had at the back of my mind for a few months now. I've come to terms with the fact that I'll be disappointed in any writing machine that isn't Vim. My setup is too well-tuned to go back to anything else.


Since my last attempt, Termux² has become a thing. This allows running Vim on the Android metal. I still don't think Android will work as a laptop replacement, but I'm hopeful it will provide pleasant writing experience.


So I'm going to try connecting my OnePlus 6t phone or Nexus 7 Tablet to my keyboard and see how that goes. Last night I ravaged Aliexpress for tripod mounting gear to nicely connect the keyboard (not the keyboard I'm still building) and screen together. I'm aiming for a setup that is smallish, comfortable and has hours of battery life. Something solid enough that I can use it on the couch or in bed and doesn't need to be used on a table. It needs to setup fast and pack safely for travelling in my nearly too small bag³.



¹ My Wife Gave Me an AlphaSmart 3000 for Christmas


² Termux


³ Mountainback Indiana




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