Tablet Typewriter

Introduction

For some time, I have had a plan to create a simple digital typewriter myself, as I saw an advertisement for a similar product. I felt that the product was very overpriced, so I thought I would be better off making one myself.

My initial plan was to create a machine using a high-quality portable mechanical keyboard, a Raspberry Pi, and a small display for the Pi.

Since I am rather unfamiliar with how hardware connections work, I have not started the project. Then I came to think, perhaps I can install Linux on one of my tablets.

I had an Amazon tablet that I have rooted and already installed Android OS on. How difficult can it be to make it into a true Linux machine?

Turned out, I did not even have to make it into a true Linux machine. By simply installing userLAnd, I can install most applications.

So for this entry, I am writing with my tablet using the vim editor!

I remember when I was in junior school, my mother bought a word processor made by Fujitsu. It was called Oasys LX 30. Now I am very confident that this old tablet is a lot more powerful compared to that Oasys word processor. Now in hindsight, a word processor is a great machine, as it can provide distraction-free typing. I am thinking my little tablet typewriter will serve a similar function, so that I can write my notes about gardening with minimal distraction.

Digital Typewriter!

This is a picture of my new digital typewriter in action. I already have my mechanical keyboard which can handle Bluetooth.

Here is the setup:

The model is Kindle Fire HD8, 10th generation. I bought this tablet in 2017 for $109.99. 6 years is a long time for any computer, but this tablet has more than enough CPU power for running Linux command line tools.
For now, I am using the VIM editor for text editing. I might try a different editor such as Emacs, as Emacs is likely to have any possible plugins I will ever need.
For updating this website, I am using the HUGO site generator that is written in the GO language. I could install the binary of HUGO for the Arm processor.
Hugo runs quite fast even with this old tablet. I can usually compile files within a few seconds.
Once the website is built, I will copy the contents and push the contents via the git command line.
I have not yet succeeded in writing and displaying Japanese letters, but I do not think it is that difficult, because I managed to use Japanese in Linux back when I was in college - like in the years 1997 to 2000.
I wanted to write an API call to chatGPT so that I can use AI for spell check and any revisions of grammar. That would be a fun little project to write one day.
I need to figure out how to copy photos from the Android OS area to the userLAnd Linux space. The file system of Android OS is not quite accessible from userLAnd. I think we can use an SD card as a space for common access.