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

Status
Not open for further replies.

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?
 

drgnlvrljh

Re: Who has one of those portable word processor thingys tha

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

Re: Who has one of those portable word processor thingys tha

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

Karen Ranney

Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

Alphasmart makes the AlphaSmart 3000 and the Dana. 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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

I have both the Alphasmart and the Dana unit.
Click to expand...

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

For the Dana (etc)
Click to expand...
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.
 

Terra Aeterna

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

I used to write on a Palm m105 and a Landware keyboard. 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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

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). They just recently retired it in favor of a newer model, the Netbook Pro (www.psionteklogix.com/pub...&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

Mine's on the way!

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.
 

Karen Ranney

It looks neat but...

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

Terra Aeterna

Re: It looks neat but...

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

Re: Alphasmart and Dana

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

I so love my Dana

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.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.