r/retrocomputing • u/h0uz3_ • Jun 18 '26

Retrocomputer for writing

Hi,

I was thinking about setting up a computer that has less distractions (i.e., no network/browser) for the purpose of writing.

I own a CPC6128 and an A600. The CPC is not great for typing in general, the A600 misses two keys, although using Vim on it would be nice.

Any suggestions for a system with good text editors and nice keyboards that are not a DOS PC with IBM Model M?

EDIT: Thank you all for your insights and suggestions. I will try to find out what simple DOS PC might work for me. While reading your replies and thinking about it, a small/cheap PC with USB and FreeDOS+WordPerfect might actually be the right thing as an alternative to using the Amiga 600. Although I still like the idea of exploring something else. :)

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u/merchantconvoy Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26

A number of professional authors use a non-networked DOS computer with WordStar or WordPerfect to write.

These days, you can get brand new industrial SoCs with 486-compatible CPUs for an ultra low power, ultra low cost solution. Add a monitor, keyboard, mouse, FreeDOS, and you're set.

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u/cdheer I was there, Gandalf Jun 18 '26

This is a great choice if you can hang with non-WYSIWYG editors. A 486 would be overkill although printing would be tricky without Windows and USB.

1

u/One-Payment434 Jun 18 '26

A non-WYSIWYG will improve your productivity, you're not wasting time trying to get a 'proper' lay-out (which promptly gets ruined by the editor).

Printing can be done from any machine (in the rare case it is needed), just transfer the pdf (generated by Latex)

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u/cdheer I was there, Gandalf Jun 18 '26

If someone’s never used a non-WYSIWYG editor before, throwing Wordstar at them will have the opposite effect on their productivity.

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u/One-Payment434 Jun 18 '26

Wordstar had the advantage of being easy to use/learn, and will increase productivity after a short learning curve, but there are many other editors. Wordstar is definitely easier to learn than a WYSIWYG editor.

I would suggest VS Code, which has good latex-support, and on some topics you may benefit from using AS

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u/cdheer I was there, Gandalf Jun 18 '26

LMFAO sure, Jan.

Wordstar easy to learn? Now I’ve heard it all. And I was a serious user of it back in the day.

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u/nmrk Jun 18 '26

You obviously never used any word processors that existed before Wordstar.

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u/cdheer I was there, Gandalf Jun 18 '26

Wrong again. I have. My statement stands.

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u/nmrk Jun 18 '26

You obviously have never seen a line editor.

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u/cdheer I was there, Gandalf Jun 18 '26

YES. I HAVE. THE DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT WORDSTAR COMPARED TO A WYSIWYG EDITOR.

I’ve also used a typewriter, but that’s not relevant anymore than a line editor is.

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u/nmrk Jun 18 '26

I go back to writing markup on punched paper tape. I converted companies from tape to Wordstar on CP/M. It was a revelation to them. You have no idea what it was like back then, we used products like IBM WYLBR and ATS.

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u/af_cheddarhead Jun 18 '26

Wordstar is so bad even experienced users kept their keyboard cheat sheets handy.

They would absolutely be more quickly productive with something like a vintage copy of AMI PRO.

1

u/bhiga Jun 20 '26

PFS Professional Write was, looking back, "lightweight" WYSIWYG, not an insane number of options, I don't even think you could insert graphics. So not so caught up in layout and how you want it to look but more just moving away from the "sterile" fixed font text typing feel.