r/unkyulee

I am so in love with the Melodica!

Now that it has become my primary Writer Deck, it gets the Rainbow keys (haven't finalized key map yet as I test the keymap capabilities).

I also wanted to find a light for use in the dark that was aesthetic like the one I had for my Rev 7, meaning I wanted it to integrate, design-wise, with the Melodica. I stumbled on one that I thought might work and I am so happy with the result. It is slim with a foot intended to clip to the pages of a book that fits perfectly through the gap between the lid and the body of the Melodica. It's very well balanced and just sits there. It has a rotatable flat light. Perfect!

The Melodica is a Wonder!

The 48-key Keyboard PCB for the following Micro Journal builds is now available for purchase:

• Rev.2 Revamp
• Rev.3: Nadia
• Rev.6: Vivian in New York
• Rev.6.1: Mini

https://www.elecrow.com/micro-journal-diy-kit-48-keys-keyboard-pcb.html

The keyboard PCB has been one of the main blocking points for preparing DIY builds, so I hope this makes things much easier for those who want to build their own Micro Journal.

Un Kyu Lee

The Rev.4 is easy to set up and get started. Simple, thoughtful interface. I had reservations about the tiny screen, but it's perfect for what I use it for: creating first drafts of poems and other dribble. U.K.Lee was super patient and helpful as I tried to decide on color combos.

The uber nerd in me wants to get it to work with BYOK. Couldn't make it happen, even after trying a number of cables and combinations of USB A->C and C->C. So for now, my BYOK is getting to know a life time of keyboards, including the Keyboardio Atreus (second pic)

Finally got my micro journal! I was originally waiting for the 6 to be available even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of not having a cover for the keys. A few months passed and the next time I checked, Un Kyu Lee had created this update.

I’m a total newbie when it comes to setting up anything of this sort but didn’t come across any issues at all with installing files and tweaks for the keyboard (thanks Un Kyu for the super detailed and clear instructions!)

Still waiting on my battery order but now wondering if I might just stick to a power bank…

Built my first writerdeck following these phone enclosure instructions. Ordered the keyboard from Amazon Germany and got the enclosure 3D printed at a local shop. It’s a nice setup and a great conversation starter!

This popped up a few years ago - a concept for a mini C64 by Cem Tezcan - yes the keyboard is giving me carpal tunnel just by looking at it - but a portable with a thumb keyboard would be so much fun. With a mini FPGA capable of running as a c64 or even switch to a new more capable commodore core.. https://blog.adafruit.com/2019/12/12/a-concept-handheld-retro-commodore-hx-64-commodore-commodore64-artstationhq/

I am certain that I will be drafting my new novel on my Rev 8 when I receive it (original plan had been my Rev 7), but I have become so enchanted with the pairing of my Rev 3 and Rev 5 (with my DRAFTY 3 ortholinear key map), that I have decided that this is the setup I will use to write short stories every so often on the side of drafting my novel.

The Rev 5.1 is such a charmer with the red and black colorway and the red font on black background, perfect for the urban fantasy tales I write set in the city I live in. Mia Wallace (Character from Pulp Fiction and a gift from Mrs. Hook) sometimes likes so hang out with the Rev 5.1.

Writing tools should bring joy!

I think I have mentioned this for several times but let me say it again, my favorite Micro Journal is the Rev.6. So I was broken hearted when I found dead pixels on the screen (the lines). The lines were on the edge of the screen, and I tried to ignore it. I can still use it to write but it was no longer a free distraction typewriter again, my eyes keep seeing the lines.

This micro journal has a long history. 2 years ago the screen went blank, I tried to fix it but I failed, I got frustrated seeing the wires and the hot glue. in the end I sent it back to Un Kyu Lee to get it fixed and I was so happy with the result. I use it almost everyday until the lines happened. I never drop it but the lines appeared. It was precisely because of this rev.6, I began to collecting repairing tools for the last 2 years. Now I even have a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol to remove the hot glue. So this time with better preparation and tool I tried to replace the screen and it works.

The screen is now 99% perfect, the remaining 1% is because of my stupid decision to add screen protector (I can't help it, I'm Asian, I put screen protectors to all my devices). Instead of getting the matte screen protector, I got the "anti-spy" screen protector, which made the screen barely visible in certain angle LOL. I can remove the screen protector of course, but for now I will enjoy the accidental gradient screen. It read okay on daylight, but at night I have to turn the background color to dark color, and the font to the brightest one to make it readable at every angle.