"Thomas S. Mullaney’s new book, The Chinese Computer: A Global History of the Information Age, published by the MIT Press, unearths the forgotten history of Chinese input in the 20th century. In this article, which was adapted from an excerpt of the book, he details the varied Chinese input systems of the 1960s and ’70s that renounced QWERTY altogether."
New-to-me instance, so I suppose I should do an #intro again -- and pin it.
Late-realized #ActuallyAutistic#AuDHD#GenX#Enby and more or less lifelong Kansan living once more in the blue bubble of #LFK. In one year I will have lived in my current house as long as I lived anywhere else in my entire life. That is kind of scary to me.
I have no idea what I said as an intro when I joined Mastodon in late 2022. I had just gotten slapped by the book of face because I said I wanted to drive to Texas to punch a Nazi. That'll tell you a lot about who I actually am.
I'm still #Novid because masking is punk as fuck, as is caring about other people in your community -- not just the shiny loud ones who are always talking and saying everything is fine.
It's not.
I believe it's going to be some version of OK, but it's going to be really different, and it might be pretty difficult, and a lot of people are going to be really uncomfortable -- but you probably already know that.
I love reading, learning, sleeping, foraging, unlearning, listening, learning to repair things, and being quiet for long stretches. I grow as much food and medicine as I can on my own small property. I try to be a good steward and give back to the land and the animals.
I am a chicken tender, and they are the joy of my existence. Those goofy birds helped me get through some really rough years recently. When you've got creatures that you have to get up and tend to many times a day, there's a reason to keep your feet on the ground on this earth for a while.
I have two dogs, three cats, and never enough time to do all the learning and reading or even work that I want to do.
I've been in my profession of bodywork for over 30 years and still love it. I'm only able to work part time due to my AuDHD and chronic physical conditions, so my work fits my needs very well.
I'm redheaded, left-handed, short, fat, and existentially angry most of the time, but I am also one of those people that will usually shut up after complaining and try to find a solution.
I'm a #meditator, meditation teacher, certified #yoga teacher, certified listener #poet, am becoming a certified #herbalist, and I like to question everything, especially authority. I have too many #typewriters and only two hands, and never enough time for all the poems that want to be scribbled down or typed out.
I'm a big fan of classic sci-fi, new sci-fi, speculative fiction, memoirs, and #books packed with useful information. I'm on the hunt for an entire set of encyclopedia, as I'm increasing my useful paper book collection. My TV choices tend toward #StarTrek, British comedy, and documentaries about weird cults/religions.
I'm very literal, and my sense of humor is very dry. I cut my teeth on 1970s #Doonesbury, to give you and idea of what I mean.
I am a weird combination of mostly vegan/vegetarian, but I do eat some chicken -- and the eggs my hens produce. So figure that one out if you can. (I can't!)
I love to cuss but I am very, very bad at it.
Some things I love about Mastodon: My Au friends here, all your cat and dog and rat and plant posts, watching monster movies on Sunday nights, my Novid and Covid-cautious friends, my #MLS soccer friends, and the character limit on this new-to-me instance. Woot!
I don't think (most) people appreciate old technology anymore.
Today I brought my typewriter (a Smith-Corona Silent) to each of my classes to take notes with. Other than my friends, most people just didn't seem to care (or even notice).
And of all teachers, my History teacher asked me to put it away.
Is it just me, or do ppl not appreciate old tech as much as I thought they did?
i need a new repair and restoration project like i need a third butthole.
but i couldn’t say no to this poor old IBM Selectric rotting in a government surplus warehouse for $5. once the pride and joy of some government office, it is completely gummed with sawdust and old lubricant.
besides, there’s something so wonderful about the premium burgundy/wine ones. i can’t wait to get the grime off and see the original colour. this will become a piece of functional artmaking equipment when it is done.
Young Typewriter repairman is in high demand for this retro technology today
Lucas started repairing typewriters about ten years ago, at the age of 14. That’s when he found a 1930s Royal No. 10 and taught himself how to fix it. Eventually, he realized there was a need for his services outside of family and friends’ machines.
So who else owns and uses a #TypeWriter ?
Where my fellow tak-a-taks at?
My SMC Galaxii 2 is my work horse at the moment since I can't find out what the bloody size is for some missing screws on my Olivetti Studio45 :(
And they're too small for any of the thread indexes I have, and too recessed to try guessing with a caliper :(
To help make connections: name 5-7 things that interest you but aren't in your profile, as tags so they are searchable. Then boost this post or repeat its instructions so others know to do the same.
I learned to touch type on my father's typewriter by going through a how-to book.
"SINGAPORE – The ubiquitous clickety-clack of their keys was supposed to have gone the way of the dodo.
But typewriters have become fashionable again. People continue coming up with novel ways to reinforce the relevance of typewriters in the digital age – from a stress-relieving pastime to a useful tool for engaging children."
How Milwaukee Is Celebrating the Typewriter’s Long, Local History
"As much as QWERTYFEST was a celebration of nostalgia and antiquity, it also acknowledged the ongoing relevance of the original typewriter layout in modern communication and culture. With its nod to the QWERTY keyboard, . . . QWERTYFEST is a reminder of the abiding power of a 19th-century technology that billions use every day."
It's #Newstodon Friday again and today we have something very very special! We have 3 new or newly awakened accounts from folks in our newsroom...follow them & give them all your best #fediverse tips!
Hey, do y'all like #typewriters? I haven't been online much because I've suddenly come into 2 beautiful #Olympia typewriters and have been writing letters to friends far and wide. The one on the right is an English QWERTY layout with the smaller Elite typeface (similar to Times). On the left, a Spanish QWERTY layout with the larger Pica typeface (similar to Courier).