Micro Journal Rev.2: Features and Use Cases

[@np5855]

getting an analog/old school feel with a digital device, what a beautiful project

[@unkyulee]

Futuristic and retro at the same comes to be as a great achievement to me. I enjoy very much designing and proud every time when some one likes the look of it. Thanks!

[@ZeroWriter]

Beautiful device - my favourite of your designs so far. The hardware design in particular is really clean - nice hinges, and love the knobs and their utility.

[@unkyulee]

Thanks! I like this design too, and I should continue to iterate and see where it reaches in the future.

[@hugog.cintra2573]

Another one for the list of devices I need to have in my life. I loved this little thing, beautiful device my friend!

[@unkyulee]

Thank you! It was also one of the device that I needed to have in my life as well. I am really happy to have it in my hand as well!

[@c9k]

this is exactly what I've envisioned in my workflow for the last couple of years, thanks for bringing it to reality.

[@unkyulee]

What a nice to comment to start a day. Thank you!

[@bentos117]

keyboard layout is excellent for those of us who do blind typing

[@unkyulee]

it's quite natural to get used to. I like this keyboard and layout. I think it's the smallest keyboard with fullsized keys.

[@primalaspid7197]

Really fun project and congrats on the 1k! 🎉

[@unkyulee]

@@primalaspid7197 uuuuuuuu! I didn't notice. How amazing! Haha. I just watched my very first video of the micro journal and it's been just half a year ago. Felt like an eternity and infinite things happened in between. Thanks a lot for the comment !

[@primalaspid7197]

@ I saw the 999 and I had to complete it haha. Looking forward to future projects of yours! :)

[@artless3438]

This one looks really awesome. All of your Micro Journal versions are so so amazing! I hope you restock rev. 5 this Monday because I will probably pick one up!

[@unkyulee]

I alway restock rev.5, I hope you get in with the order this week. Thanks for your interest!

[@michaelmayer775]

Nice idea with the O rings for the hinge. Like it.

[@unkyulee]

@@michaelmayer775 hinges in diy is a bit difficult to find a fitting solution. I think this way can open up more possibilities for diy enthusiasts

[@michaelmayer775]

@@unkyulee I have the hinges made on both sides a little smaller in the print. So it is a more tight fit. ( Portable Pi 80 )

[@aliciac.7569]

The way I should be asleep at 3 in the morning but I’m so happy to see this video!!

[@unkyulee]

Thanks for you interest! I am grateful that "you" will watch my video! I hope you have a good night sleep.

[@ddzwiedziu]

I love the use of knobs. There might be a better place for them next to the keyboard, but still, they're there.

[@unkyulee]

There are a lot of room for improvements. I am keep iterating the Micro Journal for that reason. Thanks for your interest. Really appreciated.

[@InternetFad]

Oh wow!! I really love seeing your work. I can't wait to see this printed in the colors the the community members come up with!! I'm about 40k words into a story that I've been writing on my microjournal

[@unkyulee]

Yeah me too! What kind of color combinations will the users come up with. I am looking forward!!

[@xTheRainFallsx]

patiently waiting for this to be back on your store again 😭

[@unkyulee]

I should have it back on store next week. This week I had to skip as too much back orders to handle. Sorry for the wait.

[@thebeatles9]

this reminds me of my first DOS laptop in 1994. fuggin nostalgia

[@unkyulee]

I got inspired by some beautiful and old typewriters, probably, those old laptops had similar vibes. Nostalgia is a good feeling for sure.

[@RafK]

This is super cool! I’m glad this exists

[@unkyulee]

@@RafK i am glad that you exist

[@SetCodeCat]

I dont know who you are, where the hell you came from and what Algorithm told me to click on this video. i am THRILLED to see more though, i am enthralled to know how you made all this yourself --- KEEP GOING and take care, you WILL see the fruits of your labor in due time I feel ! ❤❤❤

[@unkyulee]

I also don't know who you are and where the hell you came from and what algorithm taking this video to. I am glad that you like it regardless what it does ahahaha.

[@arepas]

The man is back!!! Count me in as always!! -Stanley

[@unkyulee]

oi~ hi stanley. These days writerDeck community is a bit quite. I hope some sparks flows in soon.

[@bipboop0110]

To me, + and = should be inverted (if your printout is accurate). That way they would match their position on standard keyboard, and it makes more sense for + and - to be on the same modifier.

[@unkyulee]

I just followed the layout of the planck. Maybe I made a mistake, I will double check. Thanks for the feedback!

[@hikenadventure]

Excellent design, love it.

[@unkyulee]

Thank you very much!

[@AnthonyPafford]

Wonderful product! The editing on this makes it attractive as does the ability to edit on another device while leaving the file on the Micro Journal. I am very excited for this. The orange and gray of your previous model would work well here.

[@unkyulee]

Speaking of which, I have already printed gray orange version, just waiting for someone to request for it. Otherwise, I am going to keep it

[@AnthonyPafford]

@@unkyulee that sounds great. I will look for the open order window. Can I ask what the happy cassette face was on? I thought perhaps the rev2, but it does not appear so.

[@Franco-s7i]

Dude, this is awesome!

[@unkyulee]

Hey dude, you are awesome!

[@smooshie1592]

This looks so cool and really smart as an anti-destraction tool!

[@unkyulee]

@@smooshie1592 you look cool and really smart ass.

[@dessytab4405]

Thank you for making this video when you are probably very busy with the orders. I want to see more, I have so many questions but I think I will wait. It looks more complex than rev.6, with linux in it the rev.2 is more like a cyberdeck I guess?

[@unkyulee]

Yes and yes. It is more on the realm of cyberdeck. I tried to place some tools to ensure users to get into writing without getting lost in the linux system. I hope its intentions gets through. I saw your comment looking for the rev.2. in action. I will soon make another video with your custom colors. Wait for it ;-)

[@adam_sporka]

Cuuute! I'd love using something like this :-). One thing though: The power-off sequence being initiated by a key which my muscle memory would tell me is a Ctrl is scaring me. Suggestion: Since powering off a computer is done considerably less frequently than anything else you do on a computer, how about having the option to switch the machine off somewhere in the menu? Overall, massive kudos for the build!

[@unkyulee]

It won't turn off immediately. It will need to be pressed for more than 3 seconds and it's quite significant time to press. I don't think it's easy to turn it off by accident.

[@PeterFranzWeber-w7p]

THIS ist such a nice and cute and useful thing...i have so many questions. FIrst, i hope it'll be available for order sooon again, shipping to germany (?), and is it possible to insert our umlaut-keys (ö, ü, ä, maybe even awkward-but-beloved ß) ?. Are there more key-colour options (like bold colour keys)? Thanks in advance, and all the best from berlin!

[@unkyulee]

Thanks for your passionate interest. I live in Italy, so yes, I can ship to Germany. The Micro Journal Rev.2 uses a popular keyboard system called QMK - VIAL and it allows you to assign umlaut-keys. I have maybe 3 keycaps and I use them as I source them, if you have specific keycaps that you want, I can source for you. You can also order without switches and keycaps and source them yourself when you already have your preferences. Here are some keyboard resources regarding german keys www.reddit.com/r/olkb/comments/uqc4nj/german_olkb_users_how_do_you_do_your_umlaute/

[@thomasacherry]

Can you edit any, multiple, files from the synced drive? What formats are supported, plain text I assume.

[@unkyulee]

it's linux (raspberry pi zero 2w) and currently it is setup to use wordgrinder for writing. It is a general computer hardware. So, I would ask you back would you be able to setup to edit any multiple files from the synced drive?

[@Leo-sd3jt]

Looks great! The one thing that bothers me is having the power button be part of the keyboard since it's so easy to hit it by accident. It would be great if it was elsewhere or if it was a switch under a cover that needs to be flipped open to hit the switch.

[@unkyulee]

It's true. I should reconsider putting the power button on that location. I may remove the power button entirely.

[@colbyboucher6391]

I've wanted to build this sort of thing, a typewriter-computer, for a long time. I don't know why, there's just something lovely about it conceptually. Currently I just plug my little 40% into my phone but a proper Linux terminal would be way more useful. Personally I'd try to send notes into my Obsidian database...

[@CharlesVu-r4e]

I love this so much

[@unkyulee]

I wish I can love you that much.

[@krimod]

really cool device

[@unkyulee]

No, you are really cool!

[@bakpakb]

Dude this rulessssss

[@unkyulee]

dude, you rule!

[@jasonsdodd]

that nav cluster summoned my inner Chyrosran22 Joking aside, I could see me using one of these if I ever left the house.

[@unkyulee]

it's a linux computer with small keyboard and a monitor. It is one of my long desired implementation as well. I am so happy to have it realized!

[@houghwhite411]

​@@unkyuleeyep also my dream, yet I don't know how to make it proper like you do

[@unkyulee]

​@@houghwhite411 don't make it like I do. Make it like YOU. "You" is the most important ingredient in your creation.

[@eleonorahackman6779]

Oh wow, it’s so pretty! I love the big screen and foldable design! How can I get one? 🌸

[@unkyulee]

Hey! Thanks for the interest. I can see, it will make a clear statement when you put this Micro Journal in cafe table. I am an introvert so I haven't planned to go outside for a while. But when I use it, I feel that it brings up much particular emotions. I should be able to starting assembling from November. You can find the link to the shop where you can register your email to get notified when it gets restocked

[@eleonorahackman6779]

@@unkyulee it always helps when we have nice tools! 🙂 I’ll sign up for the newsletter! 👍

[@SandeepKoorse]

Un Kyu - will the battery need to be external to the device?

[@unkyulee]

Battery is internal, and it is possible to connect external one

[@victoriaaustin2999]

I need this so bad 😭

[@unkyulee]

Thanks, I am glad that the design gets to you as an attraction. It is really nice to have such reaction.

[@tasteyfoood]

Is it hard to go from a staggered keyboard to one like this?

[@unkyulee]

Something like the following is in the pipe, www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/comments/1gsqmpl/thanks_for_finishing_a_book_with_the_micro/ I iterate quickly and I am planning on many iteration with staggered keyboard.

[@Cyliandre441]

Really cool! Is there a reason why the numbers and special characters can't be visible on the keys? Most keybords do it, why not here?

[@unkyulee]

I think it's because there are only 48 keys. So, depending on the layout, it is possible that number keys are hidden in the layer. Or it can be visible. It's actually up to you decide as the keyboard layout is customizable. It is using QMK Vial, which allows to update the keyboard layout very easily.

[@anispinner]

this asks for neovim with a few custom plugins for the lil display

[@unkyulee]

The display is a bit particular form factor. I love it as it covers the keyboard with perfect ratio. I wish I was familiar with vi interfaces, so that I can use the full potential of this device. I am a bit jealous for those who are familar and flies around with keyboard in vi interface. I should try to dip myself in and commit in coding with it.

[@anispinner]

Absolutely! Theprimeagen has great tutorials on his setup and essential macros. Nvchad has great out of the box experience. I'm just not sure how nvtree and plugins based on ripgrep will look like as they have a bit predefined layout that might not look good (or be renewed at all) without the vertical real estate, but I'm sure you as a hacky person will be able to adapt it and start flying around your files and folders at a speed of light. Vim makes you love your keyboard and especially your space bar.

[@NethanielBee]

I've got the same keycaps on my keyboard lol

[@unkyulee]

hahaha, twin brothers!

[@GBJwhereareyou]

새 영상 올려주셔서 감사합니다! 저도 구매하고자 했는데 인기가 많아 타이밍잡기가 쉽지않네요!! ㅎㅎㅎ 지난번에 이어 질문 몇개드립니다. 1. 슬립모드를 따로 지원할까요? 전원을 완전히 끄지않은 상태로 화면을 닫으면 현재는 어떤 모드로 들어가게 될까요? 2.1 혹시 컬러배열같은 것은 커스텀 혹은 다른 옵션이 존재하나요? 저번에 잠시 댓글에서 다양한 컬러옵션도 생각하고 계신다는 것을 본 것 같아서요. 2.2 2.1 과 관련하여, 혹시 커버 색깔을 제가 원하는대로 임의로 교체하기 용이한가요? 예컨대, 추후 3d프린팅 서비스등을 이용하여 상판만 다른색깔로 받아 자가 교체가능한지 궁금합니다. 3. 전반적인 키보드 사이즈와 배열 관련, 혹시 책상에 올려두고 흔히 말하는 독수리 타법이 아닌 일반 노트북 타법을 사용할 만한 크기인가요? 아니면 독수리타법이 조금더 편한 사이즈일까요? 감사합니다!

[@unkyulee]

대체로 라스베리파이 부분에 관련된 점이 많아. 제가 아는 부분 그리고 모르는 부분을 구분해서 말씀드려야 되겠습니다. 슬립모드는 케이스와 연동되는 것이 없습니다. 아마, 리눅스에서 타이머 관련해서 슬립 모드나 스크린 세이버 모드로 변환되는 기능이 있을지도 모르겠습니다. 컬러는 바꾸실 수 있고요. 주문 하실때, 같이 이야기 하면서 천천히 정할 수 있습니다. 추후에 빌드 가이드가 공개될 것이고요. 그때 쯤되면, 아마 상판 교체하는 것이 가능할지 아닐지 판단 가능하실 듯 합니다. 제 기준으로는 쉽게 가능합니다. 키보드는 키 사이즈만 봤을때는 일반 키보드랑 같은 사이즈이고요. 배열이 ortholinear라는 부분이 다르고, 총 48개 키만 있다는 점이 다르겠네요. 어느 타법이 편하실지 취향에 따른 부분이라... 비디오 보시면서 판단이 가능하실지 않을까 생각합니다.

[@kairu_b]

Even the arrow keys is the same order as vim's hjkl, nice

[@unkyulee]

This is "planck layout" which is quite popular layout for this type of keyboard and as you said, arrow keys are aligned with vi way.

[@kairu_b]

@unkyulee I learned something new today, thanks sir!

[@colbyboucher6391]

I always try to have a modifier that lets me use HJKL as arrow keys so I can have that anywhere. Useful enough that it should be a standard thing IMO. I don't even like Vim that much.

[@pikolowet]

As someone that does a lot of writing, I just need to ask where is the "?"? I couldn't find it in the diagram you've attached.

[@unkyulee]

it's above / which I ommited the shift key layout

[@TheMillyBays]

Really cool. Almost looks like something out of Fallout or the like.

[@unkyulee]

Almost ... almost... I am getting there. To be well prepared for the fallout.

[@kushagrasharma3436]

Very glad to see this. How do you connect to wifi? And I assume both the tablet and microjournal need to be on same network for sharing to work right?

[@unkyulee]

That is correct. Micro Journal rev.2 is raspberry pi computer and there is a configuration script that will guide to setup the wifi. Tablet or PC has to be in the same network in order to exchange the files.

[@kushagrasharma3436]

@@unkyulee Any plan of adding auto Gdrive sync in this one?

[@unkyulee]

@@kushagrasharma3436 i haven't found an easy way to make the google drive connection yet. At least something that is easy, yet

[@Jurarigo]

One of the cooler pieces of retro-futurist-but-actually-contemporary technology I've ever seen. It's cute, I would love to try it. EDIT: I'm sorry, but I have to make this supremely stupid question just for the memes... can it run Doom? (I know, of course it can, it's a normal *nix system)

[@unkyulee]

I am sure it can. It's raspberry pi computer. I think your answer has been answered most likely decade ago ;-)

[@ty88]

Idk what this is but it's cool

[@unkyulee]

I also have no idea why and how and when and what but it's cool and I made it!

[@leotaku5216]

Really pretty device, although I'm definitely not the target audience for it. If I may ask, what kind of writing do you do that makes sense for this device? I mostly do academic writing where 90% of my time spent "writing" is actually editing, clarifying, rewriting stuff I've previously written. Which I would imagine to be horrible on such a small screen. Creative writing might be different, you sometimes hear of famous authors who pretty much publish their first draft. Cheers!

[@unkyulee]

As the name suggestes. This project has been borne with journaling needs. Which is close to drating workflow. Quickly registering the thoughts as it flows. As more iteration has passed, few editing features are added. But the main feature that I feel the most important in Micro Journal is to faciliating specifically the moment when you have thoughts and quickly and easily and comfortably registering it. This is the point where feel there is a value and it's very niche needs and niches domain for a market. I believe, editing and clarifying and rewriting stuff can be done with many digital devices out there, and as you have pointed out, target audience would be looking for a laptop or a computer in that case.

[@leotaku5216]

Fair enough. In that case I see the value this might bring to someone who chooses to not carry a mobile phone.

[@phosphor3617]

Very cool

[@unkyulee]

No, you are very cool

[@irkedoff]

💜

[@strayferal]

I would say great idea. And to everyone knowledgeable of linux would be easy. To the rest - I see them excited as it looks nice and mysterious now, but not sure how they would feel after 2 hours in front of it. Don't get me wrong. I see potential. But using this for non-linux users would be confusion. No idea how old are you, but in the era of the IBM PC XT clones and the MFM hard disks did you know we had to manually "park" our disks? That is to run a little program to move the heads over an empty area before turning off the PC, otherwise the heads would fall on the discs directly, resulting with scratches - direct physical damage. Now nobody even knows the hard drives do park, because now they use SSDs. I am not familiar with Raspberry Pi, I noticed the logo and no idea if what you run really is a shaved Debian, but make it a bit more user-friendly. First - have that keyboard layout printed on the keys themselves. Second - if the hardware is not powerful enough to run that share server in background, at least make it run with a keyboard shortcut of a single key or two keys. Third - better make the shutdown with a key on the upper-right corner. Most laptops put there the power keys anyway. Would be more intuitive. By the way that editor you run - no idea what is it, but the menu is nice. Reminds me of emacs a little bit (I am a vim user). So yes, the really cool things I like are: obviously the editor, but if this is a color screen - would be great if you allow rich text formatting and indicate it by color (if wysywig is impossible). Word 5 for DOS used colors to indicate which text is italic/bold/etc. That huge side scrolling wheel reminds me of a typewriter and is great. The server app allowing you to see and edit files from your phone is great. But be prepared for a wave of complains from people who just turned the device off with the back switch and lost their work. Solution of course would be time to time the device to do backup autosave. If I was you, would try to make the device to autodetect lid closure and do a sleep/shutdown automatically. Much more user friendly. And I love the keys. Make them replaceable and offer keys of different color on your website so people could personalize the device. Good luck!

[@unkyulee]

@@strayferal thanks for taking your time for all the feedback. Probably you have touched many points where i fear. One thing to note that this is specifically designed for writers seeking a distraction free environment. Also, this is a diy project so the components and assembly is kept reasonably simple and easy to source. Of course, those who are looking for a complete device might not be an appropriate target. But for those who are looking for a weekend fun diy could be a potential audience. This is not a commercial product and it is more of a personal diy built with passion. I hope this sets some proper expectations. Of course, i understand and see where you are coming from. And i agree with most of your points. Thanks again for your time and interest

[@Lp-ze1tg]

E-ink with backlit.

[@unkyulee]

@@Lp-ze1tg lit!

[@vectorhunter4659]

what this device for? why wouldn't I buy an tablet with a tiny bluetooth mechanic keyboard?

[@unkyulee]

@@vectorhunter4659of course, you can buy whatever you want. I think it's what people usually buy. This is more for people who are looking for a distraction free writing device.

[@veqv]

finally, the ssh machine of my dreams.

[@unkyulee]

I am keep interating these devices. I hope one day, I can really make something that looks like came out from my belly and no where else than your dreams.

[@nikolasvahrusev8407]

App like this for 3ds when?

[@unkyulee]

I don't know. I tried to type with joystick and then I realized that joysticks were made for games, so I tend to go back to playing games. I would say, 3ds is a dangerous device for writers.

[@Apaximatic_Play]

классно, когда знаешь всего один язык, каждая кнопка под одну букву

[@unkyulee]

The keyboard system is based on QMK - Vial which you can assign other language keys as you'd prefer. Challenge would be how would you lay them out in 48 keys.

[@Unlucky1776]

I mean like at this point id rather just carry an actual notebook. still pretty cool though.

[@unkyulee]

Distraction-free writing is the key feature in this device. It is certainly not a common desire for most of the people. For most people this will come as why not just use a phone it can already do what a phone can do or just buy a cheap laptop It can do all and more or have a self-discipline. Please note that, it is exactly the opposite approach and the reasoning that makes this special, is the fact that you can't do anything but writing. You can only write, and nothing else. This is the angle where distraction-free devices are taken. This take is intentional and it is the most important constraints posed on such distraction-free writing devices. It is a desire, understood by writers. How important and how much it improves quality of texts when writing in a distraction-free environment. Such a cliche of writers going into the country side house for months for finishing a book. Why not write on the kitchen table with a work laptop? Why would you go to a quiet library to study, when you can study in the subway. The level of output quality is different. That's why being distraction-free is intentional and it is an intention that writers appreciate. I am not trying to confront you, I agree with you and also I understand you. Just wanted to use your comment to layout some points to those who might be coming from the similar approach as you.

[@thefsm7296]

Impossible to buy:-/

[@unkyulee]

@@thefsm7296 sorry for the sold out situation. I believe at the end of October things should calm down. I will try not to advertise anywhere else so that no one will know about the release of rev.2. i am kinda serious. I am sure you will get the chance to order. I really am sorry for the wait

[@thefsm7296]

@@unkyulee thanks!!!

[@thefsm7296]

Impossible to be just on waiting list ?

[@unkyulee]

@@thefsm7296 you could be on the waiting list. I take orders via tindie. Their system doesn't allow to make pre-orders, and you must make an order when the stock is available and I should ship within two weeks. I am in favor of tindie system, and this will allow the buyers to have the product in time, not waiting several month or years after the payment. I might lose a lot of orders in this system, but I think it is well fitting to my direction, as I won't be blocked by processing back orders and can continue to keep iterating and producing new projects.

[@thefsm7296]

@@unkyulee I understand. Thanks:-)

[@EdsonMedina]

...but why?

[@unkyulee]

I don't know

[@jason_v12345]

This looks incredibly cumbersome

[@unkyulee]

indeed

[@daan3298]

Cool device but really the most horrible keyboard layout I've ever seen.

[@unkyulee]

@@daan3298 thanks. I am planning on a staggered layout in the future. The keyboard has many variants and many preferences. I started to encounter a lot of feedback regarding this style of keyboard. I think this could be the smallest form factor using regular sized keys and i wanted to try.

[@colbyboucher6391]

You mean best?

[@ym30214]

Don´t get me wrong but don´t we produce too much electronic waste already? I cant be the only one that posesses too much electonic devices, carrying them around day by day in my oversized Backpack. So what can this ancient-looking device do what my laptop can´t? Does it only satisfy nostalgic needs? 🤔

[@unkyulee]

@@ym30214 i get you. This is not a laptop tho... It's a specific device for writers who seek distraction free. Also, this is not in any sort of mass production and it is a diy project. I agree with the sentiment but this won't ever be filling up the trash pile as much nor as fast. I do get that feeling why not use a phone or laptop questions.

[@pocetbox]

i dont think your laptop has that keyboard. and as for wasting it, the best way to reduce the waste is not buying things you dont need. if you dont see the use of it, it s not for you. but a lot of people already see the potential of it.

[@bilbonbigos]

I think it's not the case here. You're right about producing e-waste but it's mostly about things like TEMU, dropshippers and people who buy a lot of useless things or/and upgrade their PCs every year. Distraction free writing devices are something different, mostly because it's basically a typewriter with a modern twist and you can also make your own using GitHub open source programs and your own devices like an old smartphone and old keyboard. I would love to buy a device just for writing like Micro Journal but I'm not from the US and right now it's not for my budget but I'm going to build something similar with Raspberry Pi which I already have and an e-ink display, because my eyes are sore from all screens I use daily.

[@pocetbox]

@bilbonbigos 100% agree on that. Many low quality from teme is waste of resources only for short term profits.

[@POVwithRC]

Sit down and stop talking. That would be easier than blubbering about ewaste. It's fine, absolutely exceptional, to have things that just satisfy nostalgia