FWIW, I don't believe either that any professional journalist is still using an
M100; the core question in the discussion with Evan was really whether anyone
not a full-time professional journalist could be called a "writer".
It started with someone on the CClist looking for a device to write down ideas
& notes when away from his computer, something that "has anti-procrastinate
features (no internet, no videos, no mp3s, etc, long battery life (40+ hours),
easy replaceable batteries)..."
I suggested:
"> Radio Shack M100 ... still used by some writers for the very reason you
mention."
To which Evan replied > "That is not true."
I partially agreed:
Well, if you're defining 'writer' as "a professional full-time journalist"
whose main concerns are deadlines, word counts, editors' demands etc. and who
has to be connected to the Internet every second then you're probably correct
when it comes to usage today, although I wouldn't be surprised if some do use
an obsolete device for jotting down ideas and notes as the OP wants to do.
But I didn't say *professional* writers still use M100s. I said "some writers",
and I think the folks who self-publish stories on the Internet, enter writing
contests, contribute to the various on-line magazines etc. or just write for
pleasure and entertainment of friends and family are every bit as much
'writers' as your elite group of 'real writers', and some of them do indeed
prefer the M100 and its cousins to their modern laptops and desktops for its
unique features."
But as I quoted earlier, as far as he's concerned folks using their M100 to
write are "old cranks, one or two of which call themselves writers," which I
found somewhat offensive, even with a smiley on the end, and it became a pretty
pointless discussion; I ended it with
"The bottom line is that members of both groups use what they believe is most
effective for whatever they're doing and, whether you believe it or not, not
all writers then and now need or want the latest technology; I find your
suggestion that anyone who uses old technology like the M100 can not call
themselves a 'real writer' like you somewhat insulting and elitist."
But perhaps the discussion did serve to give some folks outside our community a
little insight about the uniqueness of M100 type computers and also their
modern capabilities with the various hard- and software additions and
expansions developed in recent years, many by folks on this very list.
m
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Loguidice
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2017 8:43 AM
Subject: Re: [M100] Any writers still using an M100?
I don't think anyone could or would dispute that people still use their M100
series systems, or ANY vintage computer or game system for that matter.
Everything has its fans. I think the core question is if any professional
writers use it as part of their workflow. I know I would never trust vintage
tech when writing all the things that I write. I'm too spoiled by the automatic
redundancy/safety and features made possible with modern machines. At the same
time, I'd be OK with using it for casual writing, the type that something like
the Freewrite is used for today, i.e., the type where you just write and then
worry about doing edits on something else (fiction, really). With that kind of
writing, losing your work would not be quite as devastating and the special
form factor might also help minimize distractions/help you get into a specific
mindset.
Of course, even though I would never use vintage tech like the M100 series in
my professional writing for a variety of reasons, it doesn't mean someone
doesn't. Certainly there are famous examples of writers like George R.R. Martin
who uses WordStar 4.0 on a DOS era setup. So the question then becomes, can we
point to any examples of someone using an M100 series computer today in a
genuinely professional capacity? If so, I would suspect it would be mostly of
the Freewrite variety, where it's used in the preparation of fiction, rather
than non-fiction material.
-Bill
================================================
Bill Loguidice | About me and other ways to get in touch
================================================
On Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 7:01 PM, Mike Stein <mhs.st...@gmail.com> wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: Mitch Parker
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2017 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: [M100] Any writers still using an M100?
> 2. If there is anyone that can credibly make that statement, it would be
him.
--
I think the people on this list who actually own and use one of the M100
class of computers are much better qualified to comment.
--
Doesn't change that the m100 does a lot and there may be a few people still
using theirs.
--
"may be"?!? If you follow this list at all then you'd know that there are
indeed quite a few people using theirs and prepared to invest time and/or money
to make them even more useful while retaining the features that make them
unique.
From my reply to Evan:
"How many modern computers have a full size regular keyboard in a tablet
format with a display that's clearly legible in bright sunlight, instant on,
cheap batteries that last for days and can be replaced in seconds, etc. ?"
m
>Mitch
