Gaming Entertains with Kristina: Discussing the Typewriter Edition
Let's dive into the world of DIY madness, shall we? Here's a wild ride on how to transform an old typewriter into a badass gaming rig. Mind you, this isn't for the faint-hearted or those too scared to tinker around with their beloved antiques. Buckle up!
So, you've got an Optima SP 26 typewriter that's bordering on the edge of death? Never fear, [maniek-86] is here. This badass hacked it up, replacing missing parts and turning it into a gaming beast. But let's not forget about the keyboard. It may have a Polish layout, but [maniek-86] remapped it to English-US for our convenience.
Now, imagine a Tetris game inside your typewriter. That's the challenge [maniek-86] faced, as it required careful component placement to avoid overheating and ensure the cover could still be closed. The graphics part was a bit tricky too - the motherboard had no PCI-E x16 slot. To solve this conundrum, [maniek-86] used a riser cable and probably an adapter, allowing for the use of an NVIDIA GT 635 GPU. While it might not run AAA games at 4k, it's more than capable of handling Minecraft, Fortnite, or Dota 2 with ease. Pew-pew!
Designing for Parkinson's: OnCue's Touch
Now let's talk about creativity in assisting the less fortunate. This is OnCue, designed by the clever [Alessandra Galli]. She aimed to create a keyboard that cares, includes, and makes a social impact.
Featuring keys with haptic feedback and cuffs that light up and provide AI-assisted predictions for the next letters, OnCue is a marvel for people with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, it's a huge win that wrist-based haptic feedback was the most popular feature among users, providing relief and relaxation compared to their usual keyboard struggles.
To make it even more user-friendly, [Alessandra] designed a modular, customizable software solution, allowing users to adjust settings according to their routines, preferences, and the intensity of their symptoms. And there's a handy haptic feedback slider right there on the keyboard - sweet!
Bonsai, Banzai!
Let's take a moment to appreciate the art of nature. On the right shelf, you'll find a lovely bonsai tree carefully nurtured by [mugichanman]. It's usually kept outside, coming indoors only for short visits - no more than three days at a time.
If you're into bonsai and want to learn more, I suggest diving into this amazing bonsai master class available in a book.
Historical Gadgets: The Columbia Index Typewriter
Remember the Caligraph? It's probably a no from most of us. Well, Charles Spiro was on a mission to improve it after seeing it in action. Unfortunately, he couldn't secure funding for a large machine, so he came up with the Columbia Index Typewriter.
This genius device used an index to select characters, similar to a label maker. Turning the straight handle on the right side revealed the chosen character, which was printed when the handle was pressed. And the best part? It was the first typewriter with proportional spacing!
Columbia typewriters made history, being produced for three years, from 1884-87. The machine went through three models: Nos. 1 and 2, followed by an improved No. 2. So, if you happen to find a vintage No. 1, its uppercase-only print may just be worth a pretty penny.
The Last Word: One-Handed Wonders
The tale of this ingenious one-handed keyboard began with an email to [HTX Studio]. The father of a young girl sought to help her regain her digital independence following a tragic accident that took her right hand.
Several iterations later, gasp, they created a compact, 61-key keyboard with a fanned-out layout for ease of use. All important keys are within arm's reach, with the Space and Delete keys given special attention.
Initially, an innovative solution involved moving the entire keyboard for mouse control. But let's admit it, that was a bit too far. Fortunately, everyone agreed on a better option: a nicely exposed trackball with left and right click buttons conveniently positioned above Space and Delete.
To ease access, [HTX Studio] produced 50 more of these keyboards, available in both left- and right-handed models. Plus, they kindly open-sourced their design. So if you fancy a challenge, feel free to grab the source and get crafting!
In the realm of technology, a creative DIY enthusiast named [maniek-86] transformed an old typewriter into a smart-home hub, integrating it with gadgets such as Arduino and smart-home devices.
Moving forward from designing for the disadvantaged, Alessandra Galli, another innovative mind, created OnCue, a keyboard that offers haptic feedback and AI-assisted predictions, making it an ideal choice for people with Parkinson's disease.
