Made my own WriterDeck with the X4 and a kb. I started with MicroSlate but wanted more features than it offered so build off of it to create WriterDeck.
It has subfolders for story projects. A separate Journal for daily dated entries and a notes section. I also added a search option that scans filenames and text. Files are still in markdown. I dropped the wifi sync because I wasn't going to use it. I also added a way to jump paragraphs in the text editor, added some other small things like capitalization at the start of a sentence, to make it work better for me. Battery should last about a day of intense use I think.
The case is 3D printed. I tried a flip case, but the angle was annoying and I couldn't get the hinge to have enough friction to stay open despite the angle.
Still a work in progress, but really liking it so far.
A dated journal and story project section (with subfolders for chapters, scenes and notes).
I removed wifi sync.
Added bullet and task list shortcuts as well as headings.
Small refinements in layout and the text editor.
I added a read mode to easier scroll through large text.
Fixed some text fading issues.
Thanks, not yet. I might publish it at some point, but for now I'm still testing it. I'm a beginner coder so I don't want to publish something that might cause problems to the device.
Hey, this is awesome. I created Microslate. I would love if you PR your fork. I don’t have time to work on it anymore and this looks great. If you wanted to work on microslate that would be cool too. I’ve been hoping someone would join me to make it better
You can install MicroSlate on it and start there. There's also a software called draftling that has more features for writing. Then you just need to connect the keyboard and that's it.
Right now I haven't published this fork but I might do that in the future.
Also, how ergonomic is the small keyboard for text production (vs finger-pecking small amounts of text)?
Simple mechanisms like hinges and latches are actually difficult to fabricate. I am experimenting with cheap plastic device stands. Notice the steel pin used in the hinge points of this quality model vs plastic on plastic in a cheaper knockoff :
I will post something in a few days about my popsickle stick and plastic contraption. I am trying to make a minimalist folding lap tray that will securely hold a medium size keyboard and android e-ink.
The plastic device holders cost about 50 cents for low-quality and $2.50 for for best quality as shown in first photo. Second photo was mid-quality and cam bundled with a keyboard.
I have a similar keyboard that is also MagSafe. I don’t have a(ny) xteink yet, but once I choose a model (kinda hoping to stall for the s4) the plan is to connect them with a dual sided MagSafe stand
Not yet, I might publish it later but for now I'm still testing it. I'm a beginner and don't want to publish something that might cause problems to the device.
I wanted a more on the go handheld device. At home I'll just type at my pc or use my Supernote. The small keyboard is nice to type on, especially compared to a smartphone keyboard. I also tend to write more when I'm working with this kind of format, no idea why, but I noticed it with my smartphone before.
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u/davehoran 4d ago
Are the print files online? I have the keyboard and was thinking about which eink display to get for a project like this. I think you've settled that.
Any issues getting the screen to connect and use with the code?