Devices for writing on the go...

[johnpalmer]

So... do you do any writing while wandering? Do you, or does someone you know, need a portable writing device?

I have two. One's a NEC Mobile Pro 780 - a PDA with a nearly full sized keyboard. It's cramped, but if you have small fingers and good eyes, it works nicely. Free to a good home, and I have a flash memory chip I can include with it, so you can transfer writings to a PC with a flash reader. There might (or might not) be a cable to allow you to sync to a PC.. no promises I can find it, no promises it works.

The other is a Handspring Visor with a Stowaway keyboard. This is a full-sized laptop keyboard that folds and unfolds for you. It includes a vibrating alarm/flash memory module, and connector cradle to sync to a PC.

I hate to throw them away, but I'm not using them and someone should if they want to.

Comments

[kathrynt.livejournal.com]

Oh! Me, me! I have small fingers and good eyes!!

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Okay, can you pick this up, or should I mail it? (E-mail details (if needed) to my LJ name at newsguy dot com.)

[gingicat]

I would be interested in either - it's definitely something that would be useful but isn't in the budget. I can pay shipping to Boston metro.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Well... I also have a Palm M125 and a Targus keyboard that works with it. The only reason it's not as good as the Visor/keyboard combination is that the Visor keyboard holds the Visor more steady... the Targus keyboard isn't quite as good on, say, a lap. It works fine on, say, a clipboard, but you do have to keep it a bit steadier; it's best on a desk.

Would that work for you?

(The reason I ask is this would let me send something to everyone who's requested it. Otherwise I have to flip a coin or roll some dice :-) )

I'd forgotten I had this combination, or I'd have mentioned it initially.

The keyboard will work on any palm or Windows CE device that has an IR port (almost all of them do), so if/when you want to upgrade, it'll be easier.

[gingicat]

Probably fine... um, any reason you asked me particularly?

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

I asked you because essaying asked about the Visor, and kathrynt referenced my comments about the NEC 780, and you seemed interested more in the possibilities of either.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Okay, please send me your shipping information to my ljname at newsguy dot com, and I'll get it in the mail soon. (No need to worry about shipping; it'll be cheap.)

[essaying.livejournal.com]

Might very well be interested in the Handspring if it'll sync to my Mac.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Okay; send me your shipping information to my lj username at newsguy dot com, and I'll send it out. Per the Palm site, the Handspring shouldn't have any trouble with Mac OSX.

[lolleeroberts.livejournal.com]

Okay, is it just plain wrong of me to think, on seeing that header - really nifty pens and pencils? And be vaguely disappointed that it wasn't?

Not to quibble. This is very nice of you to do. But it did make me recheck my old fart Luddite defaults.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

*grin* Given the level of clearing-out he's up to, it wouldn't surprise me if John had some pens and pencils he'd be happy to send you.

Handspring Visor

[sueschus.livejournal.com]

I am on my third Handspring Visor which I got on Ebay several years ago when my 2nd one was stolen at a wedding reception! Anyway, I love my Visor. The software will work with XP Home Edition, but not with the Media version. When I bought a new PC a year ago, I found I had to keep my laptop just to synch the Visor.

[thattallguy201.livejournal.com]

Doesn't sound like an issue for these particular items, but... if you have other stuff that's not quite as popular try http://www.freecycle.org. Lets you give away stuff to people who need/want/will use it rather than tossing.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Nod. It's curious, though... some things go fast in some areas, and in other places, they go *really* slow. I haven't been able to give away my exercise bike, for example, but I had five offers for a set of weights.