r/writerDeck

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!

To start this off, I plan to pick up a Freewrite in the near future as a first draft device. I have two typewriters that I love to pieces, but I'm in a masters program. It's one that's closely related to creative writing, so I need to be able to draft work quickly. Also I'm supposed to start work on a thesis / book, and I'm going to have to turn in pages. So working with a typewriter, although fun, isn't practical.

So the Freewrite will work for me, but the re-writing, the editing, correcting, re-arranging text, I'm going to need a more featured word processor, and ideally I would like it to be as distraction free as possible. Originally I was playing with the idea of finding an old word processor machine like this one, but bringing it into a modern process could be difficult, expensive (I'm already going to be shelling out for the Freewrite after all), and might not be reliable because of the old hardware. I was also thinking about building a machine from Raspberry PI — but it felt like when it was all said and done it was too much work.

So I started thinking about what I would want in this machine -

• Cloud connectivity, where my work is automatically backed up, and accessible on other machines. Also I'd want to be able to drop in a couple of files from my work computer if something comes up.
• Able to read any research files, PDFs, images, etc.
• Shut off from the rest of the internet, no Wikipedia, Google, no online dictionaries, AI chatbots, social media, and so on.
• However, it can access Apple Music or Spotify, and the CMS for my blog.
• A modern word processor. So I can copy, paste, rearrange, create copies, export to different formats, etc. Also I'd like to be able to open more than one document at a time.
• Easy to set up, nice keyboard, good screen, The screen doesn't need to be e-ink, but it does need to have a nice clean resolution. Also it would be nice if I could have some fun customizations like wallpaper. So it goes without saying I want this WriterDeck to be more graphical.

Obviously, starting off with an old laptop is the beginning. I have a 2015 Macbook Air kicking around. Except for the battery, it's in great shape.

I was thinking WriterDeckOs, and it's a good project, but I didn't feel like it would work for me here.

So then I installed Linux Mint. I got it on the Airbook easily enough, but getting it to install apps and customizing it to be what I needed was a pain in the neck. I didn't want to spend my time fighting with the machine when I should be working.

So I remembered that I was playing around with ChromeOS Flex a year or so ago, and it's installable on the old Airbook. I realized if I install it, and if I use a "child" profile. Like a profile with parental locks, I can lock everything out but Google Drive, Google Docs, my blog, and Apple Music. I can then set up a shared folder with my main Google account so I can easily move files in and out of that ecosystem. Also when I do get the Freewrite, it'll be pretty easy to get the files onto the editing writerDeck.

And as a bonus, its a real laptop, so I can have more than one screen or hook up a mechanical keyboard if I want / need to. Also since it's ChromeOS if something happens to the Airbook, in a pinch I can just get a Chromebook, or install ChromeOs Flex onto a different laptop and pick up where I left off.

Installing ChromeOS Flex was really easy, it took me an hour or so to set it up on the old Airbook and then maybe another 30 or 40 minutes to get the user account set up. All I have to do is remember to ditch my phone so I'm not tempted to unlock reddit, or another time waster.

So if you made it this far, thanks for reading. I thought this could help someone out.

TL;DR: I made a writerDeck from an old Mac Airbook, and ChromeOS Flex.

Created a nice new kit using an xteink4, a Rii mini Bluetooth keyboard, a slice-and-diced cover and a Rolling Square Edge Pro Core magnetic holder. I may try and do a better 2nd try with the duct tape. I used the foam that came with the xteink4 to help secure the keyboard.

Cover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H24TNK45?ref\_=ppx\_hzod\_title\_mob\_b\_fed\_asin\_title\_0\_0)
Hinge: https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/order-details?orderID=114-1177390-0295463&lineItemId=jmmitupqmkottops&shipmentId=NkVDBlJqk&packageId=1&ref\_=ppx\_yo2ov\_mob\_b\_pop

Repost because I didn’t upload the pic. My temp Palma rig while I wait for my fiance to take the leap on the 3D printer he’s been wanting. Gonna grab myself a nice 40% and clamshell it with my Palma.
Between the keyboard and the second hand Palma, I could have just spent another $100 and bought the used freewrite someone is trying to sell in my town. But damn it im happy. And I love this Palma way more than I expected.

My friends think I’m insane. “Just use ur phone” no I don’t want it to have apps “just turn off the WiFi” YOU DONT GET IT THE PHONE IS UNCLEAN.

I had these optical see-through glasses from Even Realities G2 for a few months but haven't been using it until I built this free "Live Text Editor" plugin for the glasses. Just pair a Bluetooth keyboard to your phone and open the "Live Text Editor" plugin in the Even Realities app, and start typing!

It has basic text editing functions and you can preview simple Markdown formatting on the phone.

Please let me know if you encounter any bugs or have feedback!

After my long journey I have finally found my writer deck homes with my Palma 2 and a mechanical keyboard for on the go, and the Freewrite Smart Typewriter 3rd Edition for at home writing.

In my search for the perfect device, I did acquire a Pomera and paid the premium price to get the DM250US Version. As some of you may know, as of March of this year (2026), "Due to Logistics..." the price of the Pomera DM250US has gone up significantly to $549USD plus tax and Shipping. This has tempted me to keep mine however, I am not using it at all and would rather it go to an author or hobby writer who will give it the love and attention it deserves. I had listed it on Mercari however the fees they were charging me made a big enough hike in how much I would have to sell it for made me decide to try posting it here again.

The unit I have is truly in "Like New" Condition and will come with:

The unit and original charging cable and plug.

The box and instrructions.

A memory card for additional writing space (Not included with the original unit).

(see pictures)

I am selling it for $400USD + shipping and am pretty firm on the price. I will not ship outside the US. I may consider trading for the new Palma if in MINT condition.

Please Message me if interested.

J. V. Molenaar

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!

Hello all!

(Note: This project is no longer supported. The build script is made available as is with no support. You are welcome to fork it and utilize it and make changes per the license.)

I finished the build script for version 2.0 of writerdeckOS!

I was not able to, however, sort out how to build the installation media. If you can figure out how to do that, you are welcome to!

As it is, for this project you'll need to install a base installation of Debian (this has been tested on Bookwrym) and then run the build script along (along with the dependencies list and the wdmenu script).

Update Changes List:

1. Changed default word processor / text editor from Tilde to Wordgrinder
2. Added wdmenu (access it by closing out the word processor program and running the command "wdmenu" in the bash prompt.
   1. wdmenu allows you to change the default word processor and connect to the internet via a text based TUI
3. Change the status bar to measure battery using a better method that should apply to many more devices
4. Moved from user space into global space. This better allows for custom installations.
5. Various cleanups and optimizations

I'm not longer supporting this project as I don't have time. I'm prioritizing local food initiatives in my town in addition to work and family. That said, if anyone wants to take this project and continue it, they're welcome to.

Further, if someone is able and willing to take the build script and create an installation media out of it, they are encouraged to do so.

While I am no longer supporting this (eg I can't assist in bug remediation or installation questions) are you welcome to reach out to me via the fediverse (eg Mastodon). I can be contacted at: (at)tinker(at)infosec(dot)exchange

Scripts and instructions found here: https://github.com/tinkersec/writerdeckOS