Who has one of those portable word processor thingys that...

[sugarmuffin]

you can write on, then upload to your computer?

A while back (I have searched for the posts, but without success) some people were talking about a gadget that costs a couple hundred bucks.

I want the keyboard thingy that you could sit in a car or in Starbucks and write, then bring home and dump into Microsoft Word.

What was the name of it?

[Kate Nepveu]

Was it Alphasmart's line of products?

www2.alphasmart.com/products/index.html (http://www2.alphasmart.com/products/index.html)

I don't have one but have heard good things about them.

[drgnlvrljh]

I think what you're talking about is a flash drive, or jump drive? You can carry it on your keychain, and it plugs into a usb port. You can get 64-128 Mb drives for less than $100, now.

Tiger Direct has a nice selection, and I've always had good service from them.

[drgnlvrljh]

Oops. I was thinking writing at a cyber cafe. My apologies.:o

[Karen Ranney]

I have both the Alphasmart and the Dana unit. Of the two, Dana does more. It's like a Palm Pilot with a full size keyboard, and I upload and download all the time.

The Alphasmart can upload and download also, with a program Alpha offers called Get Utility. (It's extra, but it's neat.)

Of the two, I like the Dana unit the best, because of the keyboard. It's easier for me to type on the Dana. The Alphasmart seems harder, almost like a manual typewriter. But the Dana is more expensive.

I love both of them because if I'm stopped at a stoplight I can write for a minute, or in the parking lot if I'm early for an appointment. It powers up immediately, unlike my laptop, and the batteries last forever and forever. Everytime you plug it into the computer through the USB port it recharges itself.

[ChunkyC]

Alphasmart makes the AlphaSmart 3000 (http://www1.alphasmart.com/products/as3000.html) and the Dana (http://www1.alphasmart.com/products/dana.html). The biggest differences are that the Dana has a much larger screen and uses the PalmPilot operating system, therefore you can install any Palm application; whereas the 3000 is purely a text-entry tool.

[CaoPaux]

I'll also sing the praises of the Dana. :D I've had mine about four months and I find it perfect for writing anywhere I please. It's instant-on (no waiting for boot or wake-up); I can switch between files with a single button; it's light and comfortable on the lap; has a big keyboard with the delete key in the perfect location, etc., etc. Way cool, and I wish they'd had these years ago.

[sugarmuffin]

Thanks for the tidbits of gadget wisdom.

Does anyone out there use the Alpha? I really just need the word processing, I think, then dump into Word.

Cao, why did you get the Dana?

[CaoPaux]

Let's see...I'd been using a small PC notebook for writing-on-the-go, but was getting frustrated with the tiny keyboard, the heat and instability on my lap, the wait time to get it going, the insufficient battery life, the paranoia that I'd drop and break a $1,500 computer, etc.

I’d heard about the Alphasmart for a couple of years, but just couldn't get myself to like the look of 'em. Then the Dana arrived: sleek, dark, with a bigger screen, modem and IR capability, 24-hour battery life, yada, yada, yada. And since my birthday was coming up, I batted my eyelashes at my husband and, voila! ;)

[katdad]

I have both the Alphasmart and the Dana unit.

I do most of my writing on my laptop or desktop, all in Word 2000.

How well does something typed in one of these small devices transport to Word?

I'm not concerned about minute stuff like formatting, because I can apply styles once the text is in Word on my main computers. Just transporting the typed text is all I really need.

What are the disadvantages of these units? Thanks.

[CaoPaux]

For the Dana, one can either import straight test (rich text format), or as a Word doc with all formatting preserved. It puts files into the folder you designate during initial setup (My Documents is default, IIRC). The USB hookup is the most common way to move files (plug it in, hit a button, and it synchronizes like a PDA). Or you can beam files via IR to computer or PDA (although only as rich text, I think).

I haven’t had any problem with syncing files or anything. I think my only complaint is that the word processor doesn’t have Autocorrect (for transposed letters, etc.) and I’m constantly reminded what a lousy typist I am. :b Fortunately, the "delete" key is in wonderful location (below the right shift key), so correcting mistakes is a lot easier than on a PC, IMO.

[EGGammon]

Thanks for mentioning this! I am one of those writers who has ideas in the strangest places, and it seems like I never have a pen and pad with me. If I get this, it will be perfect for my lifestyle. I can take it wherever I go! It's a little pricy, but it sure beats 1000 bucks (at the least) for a brand new laptop. I tried to buy a refurbished one, but it was such a waste because it died within a month of purchase. I better start saving my money now. I think I'll get the Dana, the regular one. Seems to be the most popular in this topic. Thanks again everyone!

E.G. Gammon

[katdad]

For the Dana (etc)
Thanks for the info. Sounds like something I'll be interested in getting in the future. Or at least to compare with a slender notebook.

[arainsb123]

I love my AlphaSmart Neo.

[Terra Aeterna]

I have a Dana. Their customer service is great. Something went wacko with my display shorting out my battery; even though I was out of warranty they fixed it quickly and free.

For me it works better than an iPac would; I like the display better and a folding keyboard would make me crazed. Also it's very cool that it has no internet. No online distractions. :)

[sugarmuffin]

Well, what I got was a Palm Pilot with the foldable keyboard, which doesn't seem quite the thing for writing while I'm sitting in the passenger seat on the long trips we take. I haven't booted it up yet; thinking that maybe I should exchange it for the Dana. Anyone use a Palm Pilot for writing?

[Kallahan]

Havent used one for extensive writing as I have never had the keyboard, but they are great for reading (YAY ebooks). They beat the pants off hardcover and paperbacks. They are very easy to read, I just don't know if there are any good word processesors for them.

[detante]

I used to write on a Palm m105 and a Landware keyboard (http://www.landware.com/gotype/). Unfortunately my Palm died, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. The Landware keyboard was very durable and easy to use. I would recommend them over foldable keyboards.

I've never used a Dana, so I can't compare the two. I think I would prefer the bigger screen on the Dana, though. It really depends on if you plan to use your Palm for anything other than writing. It would be tough to put the Dana in your pocket.

Jen

[Velleity]

My husband has a Sony Clie (Palm-compatible) and keyboard, and loves it for writing. However, he's also not bothered by small type.

If you're not afraid of very orphaned hardware, you can find refurbished Newton eMates for cheap from apparently-reliable sellers on eBay: search.ebay.com/newton-em...1QQfromZR8 (http://search.ebay.com/newton-emate_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8)

I loved that machine to death for writing. 640x480 touchscreen, usable in sunlight, terrific battery life. These days I use, and adore, a Psion Netbook -- a word processing PDA that fits in my purse (www.geek.com/hwswrev/pda/...book.htm). (http://www.geek.com/hwswrev/pda/netbook/netbook.htm).) They just recently retired it in favor of a newer model, the Netbook Pro (www.psionteklogix.com/pub...&pID=1082) (http://www.psionteklogix.com/public.aspx?s=com&p=Products&pCat=128&pID=1082)) with an 800x600 screen that's usable in daylight. Unfortunately, it's no cheaper than a full-featured laptop. The Dana is likely to be a better deal.

Doesn't stop me from coveting the Netbook Pro...

[EGGammon]

Thanks to this topic, I just sent away for a Dana! I can't wait for it to arrive. Thanks everyone who recommended it! It is going to be perfect for organizing my paperwork, and finally getting started on my novels.

E.G.

[seeb55]

Has anyone ever tried the calcuscribe?

calcuscribe.com (http://calcuscribe.com)

[Karen Ranney]

the only drawback seems to be that you can't download files into it.

[Terra Aeterna]

Karen,

I download files into my Dana all the time. Documents, ebooks, email, game programs. . .

Or if you were talking about the other scribe thing, never mind. :-)

[MarthaOConnor]

What I like about the Alphasmart is you can only read a few lines of text at once. This helps in pounding out what Anne Lamott refers to as "the really, REALLY shitty first draft," so you don't obsessively edit.

[Karen Ranney]

that I would give away my laptop before I got rid of my Dana. (I load oodles of stuff onto mine as well.) But, I do wish they would come out with a white screen version. Enough of the green screen.

Ah well.

[EGGammon]

Compare the Calcuscribe with the Dana, and even though the Dana is a little more expensive, it's only because you get more, a lot more.

1. The look
Compare the look of the Dana and the Calcuscribe.
Dana: www1.alphasmart.com/danas...-photo.jpg (http://www1.alphasmart.com/danastore/images/dana-features-photo.jpg)
Calcuscribe: calcuscribe.com/jpegs/open_copy.jpg (http://calcuscribe.com/jpegs/open_copy.jpg)
Is it just me or does the Calcuscribe look like a child's toy? The Dana looks a lot more professional and comes with more adult friendly features. (Also, the Calcuscribe seems to be promoted as something for kids, just by the look, and the MANY references on their website and the fact that every picture on their site is of a kid with the Calcuscribe).

2. Memory
The Dana has 16MB of memory, WITH 2 expandable slots for extra memory (SD Cards, which can hold A LOT depending on which ones you buy). The Calcuscribe doesn't specify exactly how much memory, but it does say "50 Page Memory," which alarms and confuses me. On a GOOD day, I WRITE almost 50 pages.

3. Power
The Dana comes with a rechargable battery and AC Adapter, 2 things the Calcuscribe describe as "optional," which means it probably doesn't come with it when you buy it.

4. Support
Is anyone else alarmed at HOW MANY times Calcuscribe keep saying how they offer support "that you will probably not need" , "Free support which is rarely needed" ?

5. Transferring Data
With the Dana you can transfer files from a computer to the Dana and back again. With the Calcuscribe, you can only send files from the Calcuscribe OUT, to either a PC, printer or another Calcuscribe. Nothing can be transferred into it.

6. Formatting
Direct quote from Calcuscribe's website: "CalcuScribe does NOT format text!" Enough said if you ask me. If you send the file directly to a printer, how will you know what it will look like when it comes out, if you can't format it on the Calcuscribe?

7. Operating System
The Dana features the Palm OS, which means any (and there are a lot now) Palm Pilot program/application will work with the Dana. The Calcuscribe has its own OS, so it will only run applications provided by Calcuscribe, which would have to come with it INITIALLY, since there is no way of transferring anything INTO them.

8. Calculator
The Calcuscribe is being heavily promoted as a calculator, almost as much as a word processor. I'd rather have something be promoted as a word processor, with a built in calculator than practically a calculator with a built in word processor. Direct quote: "CalcuScribe has a unique math processor - an interactive calculator which provides a word-processing-like environment to do math." Sounds like a calculator WITH a word processor.


Personally, the Dana sounds like something for all ages, especially adults. The Calcuscribe sounds like something for kids, not adults (especially writers like us).

E.G. Gammon

[pencilone]

I've had it for the past 3 years and I am very satisfied with my Jornada 720. Inconspicuous and small enough to put it in my pocket, I can take it with me anywhere. What I love most of all is the fact that it has a colour screen and a pretty good technical spec.

If you had enough of your green screen, then have a look at this:
h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?docname=bpia2256&dlc=en&lc=en&product=61677&cc=us&dest_page=product& (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?docname=bpia2256&dlc=en&lc=en&product=61677&cc=us&dest_page=product&)
It also has a 'cradle' that makes the transfer of files to/from my PC very easy :) .

[mistri]

Yay, someone else with a Jornada 720!

Of course, I don't think they make them anymore, so you have to buy them on eBay, but mine's great.

[Betty W01]

I have a Handspring Visor (now obsolete) and folding keyboard, which I love, but I think I'm going to buy a Dana. I know several prolific writers who travel a lot and adore theirs. I especially like the no-Internet aspect - I'd love to be able to go to a coffeehouse or sit downstairs, on the couch, feet propped up on a footstool, and just write. No checking (possibly important) e-mail, no posting to (beloved but distracting) cyberfriends, no going to look up something on-line and exiting hours later, full of information and new ideas, but little actual writing.

And after using the Visor for this long, I've come to love the Palm OS and its programs. I'll still use my Visor (I keep *all* my calendar, to-do's and so on on it, and it fits into my purse for e-book reading and days when you don't expect to do any writing, but do some anyway), but I think the Dana may solve some pesky problems I keep running into. And it's cool that if I do write on my PDA, I can beam it onto my Dana if I need to, and vice versa.

I think I just talked myself into it. Excuse me while I go see how much money is in my checking account...

[Azura Skye]

What is the price of the Alpha Smart and/or Dana? I didn't see one listed on the website.

[CaoPaux]

$380. Here's the price and feature info:

www1.alphasmart.com/danas...tures.html (http://www1.alphasmart.com/danastore/dana-features.html)

ETA: If you shop around, you might find it for a bit less, but it's a great deal for the price, IMO.

[MarthaOConnor]

My AlphaSmart was around $250, but it was the "Neo" model, not the Dana.

[sc211]

Thanks, EG, for the comparison.

And for all those with Palm Pilot programs, which ones do you actually load into your Dana, and just what do they do? Forgive my ignorance, but in my life I've held a Pilot for just five seconds, and it wasn't even turned on.

[Karen Ranney]

Okay, I'm sure other people can answer this question with more experience than I. The software comes installed. There are about twelve different resident programs such as a word processing program plus another one called Alpha Word that I use the most.

I've downloaded quite a few reference books onto my Dana. The fun thing is that I can download so much, such as the complete works of Shakespeare. Also, I've downloaded the entire Shadow mystery book series and other public domain works. I've purchased a few self-help type books as well.

I don't use the name/address function as much as I should. But Dana has helped me answer all my email. There's a program called Aileron (sp?) and I can download all my fanmail, answer it, and then upload it back to my email program.

Can you tell I love Dana? I think the best thing about it is that I can't play solitaire on it and I can't get on the web. But I can read another chapter of the Shadow.

Edited for spelling. Sigh.

[sc211]

Thanks, Karen. I found a photography site once that listed Pilot programs for calculating sunrise and sunset, as well as the tides. That's pretty cool - you could use it in your writing or just for when to head to the beach.

For another question - what's the keyboard like? Are the keys hard or rubberized, and when you type does it rattle or is it quieter, like other laptops?

[Karen Ranney]

The big deal for me was the keyboard. On the Alphasmart, the keys felt hard to the touch, almost like a manual typewriter. But on the Dana, the keyboard is smooth, and slightly angled. The touch is better than on my laptop and very sensitive. I kept hitting the mouse pad on my laptop with my thumbs, and now I don't have that problem. But I type almost 100 wpm.

[sugarmuffin]

Here's my take on the The Palm Pilot with fold-up keyboard:

After using it some, I have to say it is a pretty nifty gadget, although not so easy to use on car rides. You have to make sure it's resting on a book on your lap, and if you hit bumps or take a sharp turn, you have to be careful it doesn't slide off the Palm keyboard stand (purchased separately). It's great for coffee shops, and for writing when you get to where you are going.

Uploads and downloads are fast and easy. Mine came with MP3 and video capability, which I haven't taken advantage of yet, and a digital camera, which is handy. It also has voice record, so you can record a note or idea quickly.

The fold-up keyboard is like a laptop keyboard.

The Palm and the keboard both fit in my handbag.