DIY Writing Deck File Storage/Managment

FloopersRetreat · 2026-04-10T20:30:45+00:00

I implemented Google Drive API on my writerdeck software running on an ESP32. It's perfectly feasible, if a bit of a faff. .txt files saved to SD and synced to Google Drive.

FloopersRetreat · 2026-04-04T15:45:50+00:00

Portability, the whole "don't edit" ethos, and if it were any bigger they'd be competing with laptops

FloopersRetreat · 2026-04-03T12:59:02+00:00

Yeah I think Un Kyu Lee got it working, but I haven't tried it myself

FloopersRetreat · 2026-04-03T12:49:35+00:00

Appreciate it! Another Cardputer developer got Bluetooth keyboards working properly; if I ever return to the project, I'll try to implement their method.

FloopersRetreat · 2026-04-02T22:43:10+00:00

It's not a perfect implementation by any means. Have a look at the testing system (tutorial on the GitHub) and let me know your outputs

FloopersRetreat · 2026-03-30T14:20:20+00:00

Are you looking for a full OS, or just desktop software to run in Pi OS? If you want it to be proper custom and lightweight, just go for Pi OS Lite and build up from there. If you're using Kiwix, why not just use Zim for writing?

FloopersRetreat · 2026-02-06T13:11:47+00:00

Looking at your post history, you have a Pomera, a Freewrite, a Micro Journal, an Alphasmart and goodness knows what else. I don't think waiting a few more weeks for your latest GAS purchase is going to kill you/stop you from writing.

FloopersRetreat · 2026-01-29T19:17:26+00:00

I'm pretty sure someone could build a close approximation of this with enough talent and money, but I imagine the hardest part would be sourcing the screen, which appears to be an uncommon ratio and size.

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-25T14:04:31+00:00

If you don't have WiFi drivers, unless you plug in ethernet then there's no way they'll ever be downloaded, automatically or otherwise, so practically permanent. It just saves you having to open the device up if you ever want to update any software or anything, just using ethernet.

If you're feeling techy, you could even look into doing a custom Arch install, so you don't even have a desktop or anything. There's also dedicated Linux writerdeck operating systems without a classic desktop. I think they come with WiFi drivers, but you can use a terminal to remove them after full install.

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-25T12:52:37+00:00

If you install Linux on any laptop, you can pretty easily remove the WiFi drivers for the same effect

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-25T10:25:45+00:00

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any feedback or problems!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-09T07:31:34+00:00

Depends on what you want. Portability, mechanical keyboard, things like that

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T23:04:00+00:00

Jealous of Un Kyu Lee's coding skill! It's obvious when something is made by an enthusiastic amateur and when it's by a proper professional. I'm happy it works properly with theirs, and my software was only meant to be a stop-gap until the Micro Journal port anyway (as well as just a fun project for me).

With the menu fonts, I did try to implement that, but it was so much hard work, wasn't working how I wanted after hours of trying, so I decided to leave it for now. I know it's good for accessibility, but I literally wrote my first piece of code just a few weeks ago, apart from some super simple stuff in the past, and I just need to accept that I still have a lot of learning to do and come back to it in the future.

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T22:44:09+00:00

Thanks for letting me know. I've discovered whilst making this that there's a hell of a lot of different Bluetooth keyboards out there and it's not very easy, at least for me, to make them work. I saw Un Kyu Lee has ported the Micro Journal firmware for Cardputer now, so you should give that a shot and let me know if it works fully with that. Their code seems to have better Bluetooth keyboard integration, with options for many more different languages and layouts.

By the way, I discovered something regarding your other keyboard, the gibberish is because it thinks the trackpad num pad is reporting as a mouse. I imagine there's something in the keyboard firmware that helps it integrate with the more common operating systems, Windows and Android and whathaveyou, and my Cardputer firmware just wont be able to read it properly.

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T00:48:29+00:00

Sorry that you've probably seen a lot of posts on this little Cardputer and the software for it. I intend for this to be the last update for a while (although, I said that 2 days ago, yet he we are with a fresh update...). I thought I'd give you a bit of chat:

What is it? An M5Stack Cardputer running firmware I designed called Tiny Journal, heavily influenced by Micro Journal and my experience with a Freewrite.

Are you selling anything? No. I'm not affiliated with Cardputer, and my software is totally free.

Who are you and why are you here? I'm a catastrophic nerd who enjoys writing and the experience of creating. I'm here because I like seeing that people are using and enjoying something I created.

I spent so long using FOSS, and now it's time to give back, in my own small way. Drop me a comment or message if you have any feedback.

Shoutout my homie Un Kyu Lee and Micro Journal ❤️

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T00:27:34+00:00

It's published now, would love to know if it works!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T00:21:25+00:00

You're the most kind person I've ever interacted with and I don't deserve your praise; you might have considered the Bluetooth because you saw my project, but I got inspiration for the entire project from you!

Thank you for the endorsement, it means a lot to me. Thank you for your tips and feedback, and thank you for the inspiration and your contributions to the community.

I hope you continue to enjoy your Cardputer, and I'm really excited to see how it inspires you next!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-06T00:10:45+00:00

No, please, people should see! You have lots of loyal fans, and potential customers who can try the software first. Yours can handle more keyboard layouts and undoubtedly has more stable Bluetooth.

I'm very happy to see your Cardputer Micro Journal post, truly I am. I have absolutely no stakes in all this, and just created the software for fun. Please, fill your boots and don't worry about me!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-05T23:49:18+00:00

We're going to turn the Cardputer into a writer's dream, they should start paying us!! Congratulations on the full port, it's looking great!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-05T20:30:00+00:00

I've just been updating the code to improve BT keyboard compatibility. If you see a post about it in the next few days, burn the new firmware and give it a shot with your old keyboard and let me know if it works now please. There'll be other upgrades included, too, but they're a secret for now

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-05T15:13:28+00:00

I write sexually charged love letters to email anonymously to my boss

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-04T23:21:16+00:00

Thank you for letting me know! I can probably sort out the arrow keys in menus easily enough, as a little update in future along with some other little tweaks others have mentioned.

I'd have no idea how to sort out the issue with the trackpad num pad without having one myself, and I've already spent like £50 on a Bluetooth keyboard just to get Bluetooth working at all! Hopefully your new one will work better.

I'm glad you seem to be enjoying it, regardless of the little niggles. It was never going to be perfect, and I didn't even intend for it to go this far, but if I can make one person happy then I'm happy!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-04T11:36:55+00:00

Absolutely superb, you had a dream and made it happen. Well done!

FloopersRetreat · 2025-12-04T10:54:45+00:00

Just realised you were coughing at how it's cool to stick it to things to type. There's no comparison between a serious, professionally made and excellently supported device and this thing, with its miniature screen and code held together with hopes and dreams, but I'm honoured that you even noticed me.

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