"The Distraction Free First Draft" by Woz Delgado Flint - a Book Review

[@christophermckellar1352]

Thanks! Ah, typewriters and Fountain Pens, my twin loves. Right now Fountain pens are winning. I hope the Typewriters don’t get jealous.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It depends on what I'm doing. I planned out a book review with my fountain pen this summer, and I just typed it last night. It will get a final edit this week on the computer, and hopefully be a North Dakota book review next week.

[@jeffroberts532]

Hello Mr. Squirrel. You are looking quite distinguished in your 50’s. I think you might need a cardigan & a pipe! I had an engineering professor back in the mid 80’s who wore a cardigan & smoked a pipe. You could always tell when he was in the building because of the awesome aroma of the tobacco. It all added to the mystique of this extremely intelligent man. Before college, in high school, all seniors were required to take an elective in either home economics or typing. I took typing because of a girl I was pursuing. I didn’t really care about learning to type. However, on the cusp of computers becoming common, it turned out to be one of the most beneficial classes I ever had because knowing how to type became such a useful skill. The girl & I dated for several years but ultimately she broke my heart. But I can still crank out about 40 wpm! Thanks for the video!

[@JSkyMusicOfficial]

Not sure he's in his 50s yet. I think late 40s probably 48 or 49 years old.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Almost 49, so the 50's are still waiting! My grandfather smoked a pipe, but he wore mostly flannels: old dairy farmer. Yes, typing is a valuable skill! I'm glad I have it.

[@alanpareis734]

Hey friend, thanks for this one. Enjoyed this one and all the fun comments too. Thanks.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Calcprof]

The majority of my technical papers/etc were drafted by hand. On paper. The two books were done on Microsoft word, which was awful for long works. After about 2005 or so, all the stuff was done on computer. I haven't done anything on an actual typewriter since undergraduate days. (I remember a term paper on computer security, and a senior paper on mathematical phycology, whatever that might be...) Some of the typewriter KZbin are from Georgia Tech, where I was faculty. (I recognized the classroom). For the last 10-15 years of teaching, I taught not on a blackboard/white board, but on a computer system (Mathematica) with screens behind me, me facing the students and typing. I sounds like an interesting book.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I like the typewriter for rough drafting. It's great for longer works. I think if I were typing math or science, it would make me insane, even with a proper mathematical typewriter (they exist). Word makes me crazy, and I only use it for compatibility at school. I like LaTeX (or LyX) for science or math. I'm also working on a local history book in LyX. It's not fun to compose, but nice for editing and formatting. I haven't used Mathematica in years! In 1994, my college got it for our laptops: I was in the first class that had the laptops. We had weekly Mathematica assignments in the math classes, and I never understood what was going on. I could see the potential there, but it was early days. While I'm curious what it has evolved into, especially since I see the Wolfram name a lot in what I teach, Mathematica is a little out of my price range!

[@thereshewoz]

What a thoughtful review! I really appreciate you taking the time, and I'm glad my book was able to offer some entertainment/company at the wrestling meet. 😃

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you for giving me some new thoughts for my writing and helping me understand why I like writing on my typewriters. (Yes, more than one.)

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I was required to take a typing class in college; at the exact same time as computers were also being used. I had to pay for the class and for a required workbook that we NEVER used. It was an utter waste of time and money, as I haven't typed; in the conventional way; since.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Typing wasn't my favorite class. But the valuable thing I got from it was the ability to touch type. In my job, that has been VERY helpful.

[@keraba1]

"winter of 2024" ? I love seeing your video previews, but that one sounds unlikely. ;-) ya... I don't like typewriters. I think personal writing shouldn't involve more than a pen and paper. Machines are for printing books. I don't know of any need for typed text any more. If the goal is speed, a tape recorder or shorthand should suffice. You also mentioned noise. In fact, Churchill exiled all but one model of typewriter from "the bunker". I can't stand co-worker keyboards, so I can sympathize.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Didn't you know we have time travel in North Dakota? I enjoy the typewriter for getting thoughts out quickly. I've written a lot of pages by hand. I find that my brain quickly outpaces my hand. I prefer the pen and ink for thoughts, ideas, brainstorming, short sections of dialog or description, and sketching/sketchnoting. Yes, the typewriter is loud...but it's just me in this house.