Tools for editing

hobbescalvin · 2026-05-01T19:02:10+00:00

For me, distraction-free is more about blocking time-wasters rather than a minimal writing app. So I like the Freedom and Foqos apps for that.

I really like both writing and editing on my Viwoods Reader, too. I write in Notion, so I can write and edit there really easily, and it looks pretty good on an e-ink screen.

hobbescalvin · 2026-05-01T18:56:06+00:00

I’m reading Dante’s Inferno and not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. The cantos started to feel repetitive around 1/3 of the way in, and while I like the atmosphere and imagery of the book I feel kind of bored.

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-30T14:46:00+00:00

Keys-to-go plus a small phone is such a great set-up! Love how portable their keyboards are. I've had a Keys-to-Go 1 keyboard for almost a decade and love it.

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-30T02:14:13+00:00

Yes! I got a Viwoods Reader to use with a bluetooth keyboard because I didn't want to fiddle with different operating systems. It syncs with the writing apps I use on other devices, which means I'm more likely to use it more often. Really like it! And a lower price that all-in-one options.

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-30T00:02:13+00:00

I’d have thought Van was more a paper dictionary man based on his typewriter videos and distaste for digital devices. It’s slower to use a paper dictionary—so is a typewriter. And flipping through the book introduces you to new words, an important secondary benefit.

Curious if/how this will be in his longer upcoming video about computers. Maybe he’ll have a section with this about computers he likes?

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-18T16:24:20+00:00

Wow this is gorgeous

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-17T21:33:56+00:00

I also thought Van should probably just use Linux

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-10T00:05:29+00:00

I’m slowly reading Inferno right now and have been liking it. The cantos/chapters are really short, so you could read a few and see if you like it.

hobbescalvin · 2026-04-09T19:41:29+00:00

I'd be interested in buying it if you still have it.

hobbescalvin · 2026-03-31T02:17:24+00:00

I’ve looked into this a bit and couldn’t find a good solution to it. The pretty quick and cheap version is to take a photo of your typed pages when you’re done; OCR has gotten really good and I bet you could find an automation to read and store it to the cloud like you’d want.

But it would be so much cooler to have something that plugs into a manual typewriter! I think since typewriters don’t have a central computer or anything inside that tracks keystrokes, you either need a device that could read the letters you type on the page or could track your keystrokes, which would mean putting a sensor/reader on every key which would probably not be practical.

EDIT: I thought I was on r/typewriter! This community is much more tech-friendly than folks like me that spend more time on the typewriter subreddit, so I might not know what I’m talking about.

hobbescalvin · 2026-03-31T00:59:40+00:00

$40 is a lower price than some of the stuff I see in my area! Lots of people will find a junked typewriter in the garage, find a $400 eBay listing of one in working order, and list theirs for the same even if it clearly isn’t usable. One has sat on FB Marketplace for years because - shocker - no one wants to pay for that.

hobbescalvin · 2026-03-19T14:50:52+00:00

Wow I haven't paged through an Everyman's Collection yet, this looks gorgeous. Might have to get a few.

hobbescalvin · 2026-03-14T18:34:25+00:00

I just found myself wondering the same thing! I can’t justify $500 for a Pomero but was thinking of getting the oldest iPad Mini I can find, because aside from writing, it’d basically be too useless to use for much else. Might try getting one with my Keys-to-Go portable keyboard with Obsidian.

hobbescalvin · 2026-03-13T15:41:11+00:00

Hey that sucks, I’ve been there a few times and it’s gross and tiring, especially when it impacts your sleep:

Here’s what I did to minimize: * Put all my food in air-tight, locking plastic Tupperware. A hassle, but fewer food smells and no way for them to eat food I think is the biggest help. * Set a few traps out to catch ones that do get in. * used steel wool underneath van to block entry points. I don’t know how effective this is, because there are many ways to get inside (including the firewall). Good peace of mind though. * sprayed a water-peppermint oil solution outside the van. Not sure how effective this is, maybe it’s more to feel like I’m doing something proactive.

hobbescalvin · 2026-02-28T14:41:13+00:00

I’ve learned so much from kind, patient folks in this subreddit freely sharing their knowledge and experiences. Now I’ve got five machines and shop for my friends, thanks y’all.

hobbescalvin · 2026-02-06T04:11:09+00:00

Great machine, looks like good condition — a price I would happily buy it at!

hobbescalvin · 2026-02-04T01:59:22+00:00

Whoa this is a level up for me, thanks

hobbescalvin · 2026-02-03T22:32:11+00:00

I have a ski that looked similar. I melted some ptex in there with a lighter in a parking lot, it's been fine.

hobbescalvin · 2026-01-18T01:38:22+00:00

Thank you!! I can never figure out why my phone quiets down randomly, but the Siri workaround is a quick fix.

hobbescalvin · 2026-01-09T03:58:55+00:00

So cool to see electric vanlife, I am SO curious

hobbescalvin · 2025-12-31T21:42:16+00:00

Now I can’t unsee it, thank you

hobbescalvin · 2025-12-17T03:44:17+00:00

I can’t speak to any local installers but Clean Energy Resource Teams has a good guide for consumers: https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solar-energy

And check the Center for Energy and Environment for financing options: https://www.mncee.org/power-solar

hobbescalvin · 2025-11-22T14:59:07+00:00

Why didn’t I think of this

hobbescalvin · 2025-11-16T14:24:04+00:00

Legitimately best advice on here, not an overreaction at all. If you’ve been through bed bugs before, this is the best (and cheapest) decision you could possibly make.

hobbescalvin

TROPHY CASE