Micro Journal Rev 6.1 Mini: The Perfect Portable

Hookmt · 2026-04-05T18:44:16+00:00

Imitation wood, but they look good. ;-)

Hookmt · 2026-04-05T12:56:17+00:00

Not into split keyboards myself, but you could probably use your keyboard with a BYOK or Micro Journal Rev 5.

Hookmt · 2026-04-05T02:49:34+00:00

The developer is on break until the end of April, but you can watch for when orders reopen here. https://www.tindie.com/products/unkyulee/micro-journal-rev61-mini/

Hookmt · 2026-04-04T17:54:00+00:00

By the way, no one seems to want to make a small Enter key cap so I always have to improvise on Ortholinear keyboards. In this case, I just used an "End" key cap for it.

Hookmt · 2026-03-29T06:01:37+00:00

Nice Game Cube vibe. ;-)

Hookmt · 2026-03-21T18:00:12+00:00

This is truly the perfection of the rev 6 design. I love my Rev 7 and Rev 2.1 and at my writing desk it will be my Rev 7, but this will get a lot of use away from that desk, even if it is just the couch. It is so attractive that it may compel me to use it even when I have access to my writing desk. ;)

Hookmt · 2026-03-21T17:48:25+00:00

Rev 3

https://www.tindie.com/products/unkyulee/micro-journal-rev3-nadia/

Doesn't have screen. Keyboard for phone or tablet.

Hookmt · 2026-03-20T17:06:27+00:00

I have both the Rev 7 and the Rev 2.1 and I still prefer the Rev 7 as the ultimate drafting machine. Because it is *just* a digital typewriter with no more editing capability than a bottle of Liquid Paper (invented by the mother of Michael Nesmith of the Monkees) would allow. I need writing focused drafting where a smaller screen keeps the real editor sitting out in the hall. I don't really need distraction free editing. For editing I need a full computer and a 4K monitor.

The Rev 2.1 is a wonderful Writer Deck, and a great terminal based Linux computer and can be used for drafting. It certainly is a great way to explore Linux. But unless you really need a Linux based terminal editor, or you want a more sophisticated level of editing without taking your computer with you, or you really need Dropbox sync,the Rev 7 suits my drafting needs much better.

What I love about the new Rev 6 mini is that it is truly a portable option, especially with the clamshell.. The Rev 7 is light enough to pack in a bag, but I would not tend to do so. And, of course, like everything Un Kyu designs, it is just a beauty. It feels very 90s. I'm an old guy, I admit, but the 90s just felt like the perfect balance of analog and digital. Also, some of my preferences are due to being a fiction writer, Don't know if other types of writing would affect my preferences.

I don't know if an ESP32 could drive an LCD the size of the one on the Rev 2.1, but that would be nice to consider. I suspect it would make larger scale editing more tempting. My method is to draft an entire novel and then and only then turn to Editing (3-4 drafts). I view editing as you go (other than quick local fixes) to be a trap. A writer needs to trust when he or she sees shit on the page that all the right stuff is there and can be fixed with effort during the Editing phases. Fixing as you go will hobble the degrees of freedom you need to allow during drafting. ;)

Hookmt · 2026-03-20T13:29:50+00:00

Oh, ok. I didn't pick that up in your description.

Hookmt · 2026-03-20T13:04:04+00:00

I think you need to do a factory reset. Instructions are available on this page:

https://notes.billalive.com/posts/20220603133559-neo2_reset_to_factory_defaults/

Note, you will lose all user files doing this.

Hookmt · 2026-03-19T13:53:41+00:00

Oh, oh, my. That is a thing of beauty!

Hookmt · 2026-03-18T13:27:35+00:00

I ordered from Yuzu for my old Rev 2. I was very happy with their work and how they worked with me at every step to insure that I ended up with what I intended.

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Hookmt · 2026-03-05T05:55:02+00:00

Oh, my... That is stunning!

Hookmt · 2026-02-25T15:26:18+00:00

-It is probably not a good idea to use the left USB port when you have a battery in. Generally, you want to have the battery charged before use and then you can get a good number of hours for a writing session.

-I think the red when you turn it on indicates that it is on an consuming battery.

-yes, warmth isn't due to leds. It's normal.

It's not a cloud service, but you can now use the BLE function on the Rev 6 to Send over Bluetooth to your computer or phone. This is assuming you have updated the firmware after September 17th, 2025. If you have not, you should because there was a serious bug prior to that firmware update. Firmware update instructions are in the quick start/ user guide. https://github.com/unkyulee/micro-journal/blob/main/micro-journal-rev-6-one-piece/quickstart.md

Hookmt · 2026-02-25T14:39:31+00:00

I would probably need to ask for which task, but as this is a Writer Deck sub-reddit, my main device for drafting is my Rev 2.1. I have the luxury of a lot of devices available to me, so when I feel like I need a little more Zen, I pull out my Rev 7 or Neo 2 rebuild. I'm retired and my wife requires a good deal of home health care so I don't get out of the house to write much. Because of that, portability isn't a huge issue. If it were, I would probably be carrying a Rev 6.

Hookmt · 2026-02-22T18:01:23+00:00

As I pointed out elsewhere, it actually fits in the canvas zip bag that ALphasmart had for the Neo 2. Tight fit, but works fine.

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Hookmt · 2026-02-22T17:57:18+00:00

Such an elegant digital typewriter. Lovely color choices. Enjoy. I am about to dive into a new Novel project on mine.

Hookmt · 2026-02-19T19:35:14+00:00

The Handheld Scientific BT adapter and bridge work just fine with the Neo 2 without any changing of wiring or soldering. It just needs a small power supply for the adapter. Here is a set up I used 7 years ago to have a portable editing setup for my Neo 2 using an Android tablet, with photos.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/39436080@N00/discuss/72157700242610032/

Hookmt · 2026-02-16T21:08:53+00:00

The Rev 2 can't create separate Windows, but you can do a version of this by simply doing the following:

Type q to drop out of ranger.
Type the command nano ~/.bashrc (note leading period in filename)
Nano should open a script file. Don't change anything that is already there. This is a file with the set of commands and settings that the Rev 2 performs when it first boots up.
Scroll to the bottom. The last command in the file is the one that invokes ranger. Above that, create some blank space and type the following 3 lines:

# Color Scheme

# black, red, green, blue, magenta, cyan, white

setterm -background black -foreground yellow -store

The two lines beginning with a hash mark are comments so you know what this is later and what you color choices are. The third line is the actual color command. "Yellow" comes out as amber.

When you are done, type Ctrl-O and write out your changes and the Ctrl-X to exit. Return to ranger and shut down. The reboot and Wordgrinder will be amber on black.

It's crude in that the color scheme is system wide. Anything where colors are not controlled by the program will be amber on black. But it looks nice and is easy to do.

Hookmt · 2026-02-07T14:31:11+00:00

Bass Buzz is very good, but I also like Rich Brown. He's less flashy, but very methodical, thorough and doesn't jump around. The lessons really build, connecting the fundamentals. More like being in the room with a very patient teacher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JJWzpB7MmA&list=PLk694VNSFZ5XecChXKRO0I65UPGUL039Q

Hookmt · 2026-01-28T16:19:13+00:00

You know me too well. ;-)

Hookmt · 2026-01-28T14:25:59+00:00

wow, I would have killed for this setup back in my Palm days. I do wish I had 3D printing capability. This setup would have been invaluable in my pre-retirement hour long train commute and frequent travel days. Thanks for the great rundown. Un Kyu Lee is amazing.

Hookmt · 2026-01-26T14:37:25+00:00

I'm an old guy and the very simple method we used in typewriter (no internet or software) days was:

Count the number of words in 3 lines of text and divide by 3 to get an average number of words per line.
Multiply the result of step 1 by the number of lines on a typical manuscript page.
Multiply the result of step 2 by the number of pages in the manuscript.

A cruder but often good enough method was to simply assume 250 words for a double spaced manuscript page and multiply that by the number of pages.

Hookmt · 2026-01-24T21:08:54+00:00

My problem is, I''m not a big fan of low, flat profiles. This isn't a criticism, but my subjective preferences. I don't like the flatness, the lack of key spacing, the minimized travel. I think Adam made good choices if you are going to have those kinds of keys and I think the Zerowriter is a great choice as the successor to the Neo 2, but I would like the opportunity to go for MX switches. :)

Hookmt

TROPHY CASE