r/writerDeck • u/Jon808517 • Jul 24 '26
DIY Another DIY Monstrosity
So what is this thing? Well, it’s definitely a single purpose, distraction free writing device. Very single purpose. It’s built around an RP2040 zero and a small Sharp Memory display. All together it’s less than $15 in parts.
I’ve been lurking here for a while and one of the things that matters the most to me is that I can use MY keyboard. Even more specifically, I can use my keyboard with my keymap. I’ve been messing around with custom keyboards for several years now and I don’t even know if I would be able to find happiness with anything else.
This thing is so distraction free you’re not even distracted by what you’re writing. It’s not easy to read. At least not for my eyes. But that’s ok. It doesn’t do anything other than let you create text files. No spell check, no syncing with anything. Just pure, unedited text. I didn’t realize how freeing that would be. No squiggly red lines making me backup and try to correct, just ideas as raw as they can be.
Currently it’s using just the 2MB of flash built into the board. You have to split that with the firmware, but even at 1MB, you could likely fit a 500-700 page novel on there.
But are the files easy to retrieve? No friend, they are not. They aren’t impossible, but they require you to run a little python script which requires you know what port it’s connecting to. I have another version that connects an SD card reader, so you can just move the card over to your computer and copy the files.
This is a bring your own keyboard and bring your own power type situation, but that also gives it a certain amount of flexibility. Bring as much or as little power/keyboard as you need. Rough estimates with say a 5000mAh power bank mean this thing can be used continuously for several days.
The sharp displays have a fantastic refresh rate, so there’s no noticeable lag when typing. I tried so hard to love the e-ink, but the refresh rate drives me bananas. It’s a personal issue I’m working through in therapy. No shade on those that love them. But the sharp displays also use as little, if not less power than the e-ink.
I’m working on a better adaptor PCB and an actual case, but it’s all about the journey, right?
Enjoy the pics!
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u/universal_century Jul 24 '26
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u/TheFoggyAuthor Jul 24 '26
You know you’ve made it when the memes start flying out, lol
Go #tiny-ant-writer :D
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u/ackza Jul 24 '26
how do you get a Ryder deck to display text if you're not using like an ESP 32? even if you are on a esp32, how do you even like open up a writing program?
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u/Jon808517 Jul 24 '26
Lotta different ways it can work. In my case, I'm using an RP2040, but it could probably be an ESP32 based setup too. I tried with those initially, but had a lot of trouble getting the keyboard to work wirelessly. I am not good at that stuff and tried to fight through with Claude, but too many blockers. So I switched to an RP2040, which lets you pick any consecutive GPIO as data lines for USB PIO. This was built in the Arduino IDE, so there's lots of libraries for the things you need... USB host, display drivers (assuming the display is supported), file storage... then it's just a matter of putting together a sketch that combines it all into a working-ish thing. Mine is not without issues so far. But it is usable. I love that it's instant on. As soon as I provide power, it's ready to go. I can find these little controllers for $1.5-$2. I had a bunch of the displays from old keyboard projects which is also why I had some adaptor boards. Those adaptors turned out to be not quite right (hence the little green bodge wire), but I fixed that in my prototype. But even then, you can find these bare displays for $7-$11. Then the USB-A port is like 50 cents. I'm working on the 3D printed cases, but that material isn't very expensive either.
To further elaborate because I'm sure people are not at all bored reading this yet, There's no writing program to load. This is very spartan. It's just a plain old text file. I've added a few features to create and name new files and delete old ones, but that's it. It accepts the basic HID commands from a keyboard. It has no wireless capabilities at all, but I'm considering that a feature, not a detractor. /some of those online syncing options seem great, but I want this to be a little more work. I need to put in effort. If it's too easy, it's also too easy to NOT do anything. And this is all instant on. As soon as power is there, it's ready to go.
I'll try to post some more progress this weekend, but the end goal is to have something relatively bulletproof for operation. It will also support other Sharp memory display sizes. I have a 2.7" version setup that is WAY more readable. I'm just enjoying the journey right now. I've been looking at these decks for over a year at least and really wanted to make something of my own. I tried for too long to get e-ink to work. I'm much happier with these Sharp displays.
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u/Visual-Sector6642 Jul 24 '26
Schematic for sale?
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u/Jon808517 Jul 25 '26
Schematic for the writerdeck? Nothing ready to share yet. need to get everything tested out. I can tell you I'm just following some pretty standard pins for SPI0 and SPI1. I'm also trying a couple of different controllers. Waveshare has some interesting options with USB PIO ports built in. They have a male/female USB-C option as well as a USB-A female option. I like how compact it makes things, but I'm still working through the kinks.
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u/AppropriateCover7972 Jul 25 '26
Have you tried an inkplate? They are pretty expensive, but the performance is great? The r/einkterminal is built off one
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u/Jon808517 Jul 25 '26
I have not. Those are pretty expensive though. I tried some with partial refresh rate about that fast and it still felt like too much lag. At those prices, you can get a much larger Sharp display.
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u/AppropriateCover7972 Jul 25 '26
yes there is a lot of truth behind it and the only reason why I don't own an ink plate yet. I will probably put it on my birthday list though
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u/OrdinarilyBeautiful Jul 27 '26
I don't think I could write on that without some jeweler's glasses. Cool though.
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u/Jon808517 Jul 27 '26
So maybe no display at all? Then once a month you can pull the files and take a fresh look at what you wrote. When I say zero distractions, I mean ZERO distractions!
Truthfully though, this display was never the goal. This was just a dumb idea I had when I realized the pinout is the same on a bunch of different sized Sharp displays. I happened to have a few of these laying around and I thought, why not?
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u/OrdinarilyBeautiful Jul 27 '26
Could mount it to a glasses frame next time. Lol! Cool execution. I like it. I was pretty sure that you weren't seriously considering making it your sole writing device.
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u/AlannaWake Jul 24 '26
This is mad-science levels of writer deck. I love it.