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The '''Microwriter''' was a hand-held portable word processor sold in the early 1980's by Microwriter Ltd, of London, UK. {{short description|Hand-held portable word-processor with a chording keyboard}}
The '''Microwriter''' is a hand-held portable ] with a ]. First demonstrated in 1978, it was invented by UK-based, US-born film director ] and his partner Chris Rainey and was marketed in the early 1980s by Microwriter Ltd, of ], ], UK. By using a ] alphabet, its manufacturers stated it allowed note-taking of up to 8,000 characters at an input rate averaging 1.5 times that of handwriting.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Microwriter |newspaper=Technology Week |date=20 March 1982 |page=39 |issn=0262-5288 |oclc=500175833 }}</ref>


]
{|align=right
|] ]
]
|}


== The Microwriter MW4 == == The Microwriter MW4 ==
Although there was an earlier unit with an ] display,<ref>{{cite web|title=Write into type|url=http://www.loper-os.org/pub/mw/mw_adbooklet.pdf|publisher=Microwriter Ltd|accessdate=9 December 2012}}</ref> the MW4 with an ] was the most common unit.


The 23&nbsp;cm × 12&nbsp;cm × 5&nbsp;cm (9" x 5" x 2") device comprises:
The 'MW4' Microwriter is believed to be the only model sold in any significant quantity. The 23 cm x 12 cm x 5 cm device comprised:


* A six-button ]. * A six-button ].
* A single line ]. * A single line ].
* An 8 bit ]. * An 8 ] ] ].
* Complete ] software in ]. * Complete ] software in ].<ref name="Old Computers" >{{cite web
⚫ |url=http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=558&st=1
⚫ * 16 Kbytes of ].
|title=Microwriter
⚫ * Rechargeable ] - sufficient to run the device for several hours.
|publisher=Old Computers
|access-date=2006-01-20
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121052248/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=558
|archive-date=2010-11-21
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
⚫ * 16 ]s of ].
⚫ * Rechargeable ] - sufficient to run the device for 30 hours.<ref name="Old Computers"/>
* Various interfaces (see below). * Various interfaces (see below).


This device was capable of allowing the user to enter and edit several pages of text - and by connecting a printer to the ] ] connector, documents could be printed without the aid of a separate computer. This device is capable of allowing the user to enter and edit several pages of text - and by connecting a printer to the ] ] connector, documents can be printed without the aid of a separate computer.<ref name="Old Computers" /> It was first sold in the UK in most mail-order shops in computing magazines such as ] from Spring/Summer 1983 and cost around £400-£500 (equivalent to around £1500 in 2014).{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}


== Keyboard == === Keyboard ===
The keyboard uses one button for each finger and two for the thumb of the user's right hand. The five buttons immediately beneath the fingers are pressed in different combinations to generate all letters.<ref name="CyKey - Codes" >{{cite web
|url=http://www.cykey.co.uk/
|title=CyKey keyboard, Microwriting
|publisher=Bellaire
⚫ }}</ref> The second thumb button is used to toggle through a range of modes that allow the user to switch case, enter numbers, insert punctuation and even add ] control characters, to be used in editing the document being prepared. To type a letter "T", for example, the user would tap the top thumb button to shift to uppercase, then chord a "t" by pressing the index finger and ring finger buttons simultaneously.


⚫ The manufacturers claimed{{Hair space}}{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} that most people could learn to use it in just a couple of hours. With some practice, it is possible to become a faster typist with the Microwriter than with a conventional keyboard, providing that what is being entered is just text. Typing is slowed if a substantial number of special characters have to be entered using the "shifting" mechanism.
⚫ The innovative keyboard used one button for each finger and two for the thumb of the user's right hand. The five buttons that lay immediately beneath the hand were pressed in different combinations to generate letters A through Z with the second thumb button being used similarly to the Shift Lock key on a conventional keyboard to toggle through a range of modes that would allow you to switch case, enter numbers, punctuation and even ] control characters that could be used in editing the document being prepared. Hence to type a letter 'T', one would tap the top thumb button to shift to uppercase - then type a 't' by pressing the index finger and ring finger buttons simultaneously.


⚫ Learning the chords for the basic letters and numbers is facilitated by a set of flash-cards that show simple mnemonics for each character.
⚫ This unusual keyboard was surprisingly easy to use - most people could learn to use it in just a couple of hours. With a little practice, it was possible to become a faster typist with the Microwriter than with a conventional keyboard - providing that what was being entered was just text. Things slowed down a lot if a substantial number of special characters had to be entered using the 'shifting' mechanism.


=== External ports ===
⚫ Learning the chords for the basic letters and numbers was facilitated by a set of flash-cards that showed simple mnemonics for each character.
⚫ At the top end of the unit is a 25 pin ] providing an ] port, an interface to an audio cassette player for saving and restoring files and a small white on/off button. At the other end is the connector for the battery charger and a 37 pin D-type connector that can be hooked up to an optional external unit to allow the Microwriter to be connected to a television and thus to perform full-screen editing. The serial port can be used to connect the Microwriter directly to a printer, or to allow it to be plugged into a computer to function in place of the conventional keyboard.


==External ports== === Reception ===
Despite a lack of similar products, the Microwriter was not a success, and ceased production in 1985. Microwriters were sold direct, in the USA the advertised price was US$499.00<ref>Microwriter advertising brochure and materials.</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2024}} which might have been too high for a successful product offering.{{opinion|date=January 2024}} A total of 13,000 devices were reportedly sold before the product's discontinuation.<ref name="pcw198902_agenda">{{ cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1989-02-S-OCR.pdf | title=Agenda | magazine=Personal Computer World | date=February 1989 | access-date=2 January 2024 | last1=Redfern | first1=Andy | pages=154–156 }}</ref>
]
A cut-down version of the Microwriter, known as the "'''Quinkey'''", was sold as a keyboard add-on for the ] computer connecting via the analogue port. It came with a game that helped the user to learn the chords. There were two versions of the interface software, one optimised for entering ] commands, the other for word processing.<ref name="Quinkey" >{{cite web
⚫ |url=http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/themicrouser/reviews/hardware/quinkey.htm
|title=Quinkey Hardware Review
|publisher=The Micro User
}}</ref> Later, ] were created for the ] and PC1512 home computers that worked through the digital joystick ports, and a version for ]'s running ] that used the IBM RS-232 port control pins as a digital port for a 2x3 key matrix. These saw limited use.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vik |first1=Olliver |title=Handicap Access/RSI & Linux |url=https://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=16978&cid=1926272 |website=Slashdot |accessdate=17 February 2019}}</ref>


== Microwriter AgendA ==
⚫ At the top end of the unit was a 25 pin ] providing an ] port, an interface to an audio cassette player for saving and restoring files and a small white on/off button. At the other end was the connector for the battery charger and a 37 pin ] that could be hooked up to an optional external unit to allow the Microwriter to be connected to a television and thus to perform full-screen editing. The serial port could be used to connect the Microwriter directly to a printer - or to allow it to be plugged into a computer to function in place of the conventional keyboard.
The '''Microwriter AgendA''' was one of the first PDAs.<ref name="Bellaire AgendA"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124062214/http://www.bellaire.demon.co.uk/bellaire_microwriter_agenda.html |date=2008-01-24 }}</ref> Released in 1989,<ref name="electronicengineering 1989">{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jNkEAQAAIAAJ&q=Microwriter+AgendA | title=Applying ASICs to the design of a pocket organiser | author=Rainey, Chris | journal=Electronic Engineering | year=1989 | volume=61 |issue=749 |page=55 | author2=Southgate, John | publisher=]}}</ref> it includes a set of small alphanumeric keys arranged inside the half circle of a Microwriter chording keyboard with larger keys.<ref name="geoff" >{{cite web |url=http://www.geoff.org.uk/museum/microwriter.htm |title=Agenda-The First PDA |publisher=Geoff Macdonald's Computer Museum}}</ref> The alphabetic keys, in common with other organiser products of the era, are arranged from A to Z as opposed to employing a ] or other ] layout.<ref name="8000plus_agenda">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/8000_Plus_Issue_041_1990-02_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n33/mode/2up | title=Class in Pocket | magazine=8000 Plus | date=February 1990 | access-date=2 January 2024 | last1=Lawton | first1=Rod | pages=34–35 }}</ref> It has 32] of storage, pluggable memory modules, a 4-line ], and advertised excellent build quality and long battery life. It was designed for text-mode note-taking without a conventional desk or keyboard. In 1990 it was awarded the ].<ref name="Bellaire AgendA" /> The ] HD63A03Y,<ref name="hitachi1988">{{ cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_hitachidatngleChipMicrocomputerDataBook_40462723/page/n477/mode/2up | title=8-Bit Single Chip Microcomputer Data Book | publisher=Hitachi America Ltd. | date=February 1988 | access-date=2 January 2024 | pages=477–519 }}</ref> a reimplementation of the ], was used as the CPU.<ref name="pcw198902_agenda"/>


Interface cables were available for the common serial (RS-232) and parallel (printer) ports of the day. These use a "smart" cable connected to a single ] bus on the AgendA.
== The fate of the Microwriter ==


== CyKey ==
Despite all of this innovation, its endorsement by writer ], and the fact that there was no similar product on the market, the Microwriter was not a great success and ceased production in 1985. It is likely that the chording keyboard put off many potential users - although users of the device reported that in practice they could learn to use it after just one or two hours of practice and gained proficiency after a few days of normal use.


Chris Rainey, the co-inventor of Microwriter, re-introduced Microwriting for PC and ] ] with a standalone miniature chording keyboard called ]. CyKey is named after the Microwriter chord system's co-inventor Cy Endfield.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}
A modified 5-key version of the Microwriter chording scheme was later provided on the 'Agenda' handheld device, which was a sort of PDA, with a main normal keyboard. The CyKey is currently sold by Chris Rainey, co-inventor of the Microwriter, but is just an ambidextruous chord keyboard (3 + 3 + 3 keys) you connect to a PC or a PDA, without any autonomous functions.

== SiWriter ==
The SiWriter is an app for the ] and ] which uses a close variant of the microwriter chording system developed by Cy Enfield. It is available via the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://siwriter.co.uk/|title=SiWriter mobile Keyboard- note taking on the move. - SiWriter: an app for all|website=siwriter.co.uk|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2019}}

The system is let down by the lack of ] - you can't tell if your fingers are in the right place without looking, but you get better with practice. The finger pad positions are adjustable to fit your hand size. It also works for left handed users and has a live speech output facility that could be helpful for people with speech impairments.{{According to whom|date=September 2019}}


== See also == == See also ==
* ] * ]

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
*
⚫ *
*
⚫ * The Quinkey]
*{{cite book |url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/bibuxton/buxtoncollection/a/pdf/Microwriter%20New%20Users%20Guide.pdf |title=Microwriter New Users Guide |date=May 1982}}
*{{cite book |url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/bibuxton/buxtoncollection/a/pdf/Microwriter%20General%20Systems%20Manual.pdf |title=Microwriter General Systems Manual (Book II) |date=May 1982}}

{{Keyboard layouts}}

] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 00:27, 27 September 2024

Hand-held portable word-processor with a chording keyboard

The Microwriter is a hand-held portable word-processor with a chording keyboard. First demonstrated in 1978, it was invented by UK-based, US-born film director Cy Endfield and his partner Chris Rainey and was marketed in the early 1980s by Microwriter Ltd, of Mitcham, Surrey, UK. By using a mnemonic alphabet, its manufacturers stated it allowed note-taking of up to 8,000 characters at an input rate averaging 1.5 times that of handwriting.

A Microwriter MW4 (circa 1980)

The Microwriter MW4

Although there was an earlier unit with an LED display, the MW4 with an LCD was the most common unit.

The 23 cm × 12 cm × 5 cm (9" x 5" x 2") device comprises:

This device is capable of allowing the user to enter and edit several pages of text - and by connecting a printer to the RS-232 serial port connector, documents can be printed without the aid of a separate computer. It was first sold in the UK in most mail-order shops in computing magazines such as Your Computer from Spring/Summer 1983 and cost around £400-£500 (equivalent to around £1500 in 2014).

Keyboard

The keyboard uses one button for each finger and two for the thumb of the user's right hand. The five buttons immediately beneath the fingers are pressed in different combinations to generate all letters. The second thumb button is used to toggle through a range of modes that allow the user to switch case, enter numbers, insert punctuation and even add ASCII control characters, to be used in editing the document being prepared. To type a letter "T", for example, the user would tap the top thumb button to shift to uppercase, then chord a "t" by pressing the index finger and ring finger buttons simultaneously.

The manufacturers claimed  that most people could learn to use it in just a couple of hours. With some practice, it is possible to become a faster typist with the Microwriter than with a conventional keyboard, providing that what is being entered is just text. Typing is slowed if a substantial number of special characters have to be entered using the "shifting" mechanism.

Learning the chords for the basic letters and numbers is facilitated by a set of flash-cards that show simple mnemonics for each character.

External ports

At the top end of the unit is a 25 pin D-type connector providing an RS-232 port, an interface to an audio cassette player for saving and restoring files and a small white on/off button. At the other end is the connector for the battery charger and a 37 pin D-type connector that can be hooked up to an optional external unit to allow the Microwriter to be connected to a television and thus to perform full-screen editing. The serial port can be used to connect the Microwriter directly to a printer, or to allow it to be plugged into a computer to function in place of the conventional keyboard.

Reception

Despite a lack of similar products, the Microwriter was not a success, and ceased production in 1985. Microwriters were sold direct, in the USA the advertised price was US$499.00 which might have been too high for a successful product offering. A total of 13,000 devices were reportedly sold before the product's discontinuation.

A MicroWriter, MicroWriter AgendA, and its modern successor the CyKey.

A cut-down version of the Microwriter, known as the "Quinkey", was sold as a keyboard add-on for the BBC Micro computer connecting via the analogue port. It came with a game that helped the user to learn the chords. There were two versions of the interface software, one optimised for entering BBC BASIC commands, the other for word processing. Later, drivers were created for the Amstrad CPC and PC1512 home computers that worked through the digital joystick ports, and a version for IBM PC's running MS-DOS that used the IBM RS-232 port control pins as a digital port for a 2x3 key matrix. These saw limited use.

Microwriter AgendA

The Microwriter AgendA was one of the first PDAs. Released in 1989, it includes a set of small alphanumeric keys arranged inside the half circle of a Microwriter chording keyboard with larger keys. The alphabetic keys, in common with other organiser products of the era, are arranged from A to Z as opposed to employing a QWERTY or other typewriter layout. It has 32K of storage, pluggable memory modules, a 4-line LCD screen, and advertised excellent build quality and long battery life. It was designed for text-mode note-taking without a conventional desk or keyboard. In 1990 it was awarded the British Design Award. The Hitachi HD63A03Y, a reimplementation of the Motorola 6800, was used as the CPU.

Interface cables were available for the common serial (RS-232) and parallel (printer) ports of the day. These use a "smart" cable connected to a single I²C bus on the AgendA.

CyKey

Chris Rainey, the co-inventor of Microwriter, re-introduced Microwriting for PC and Palm PDAs with a standalone miniature chording keyboard called CyKey. CyKey is named after the Microwriter chord system's co-inventor Cy Endfield.

SiWriter

The SiWriter is an app for the iPad and iPhone which uses a close variant of the microwriter chording system developed by Cy Enfield. It is available via the Apple App Store.

The system is let down by the lack of haptic feedback - you can't tell if your fingers are in the right place without looking, but you get better with practice. The finger pad positions are adjustable to fit your hand size. It also works for left handed users and has a live speech output facility that could be helpful for people with speech impairments.

See also

References

  1. "The Microwriter". Technology Week. 20 March 1982. p. 39. ISSN 0262-5288. OCLC 500175833.
  2. "Write into type" (PDF). Microwriter Ltd. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Microwriter". Old Computers. Archived from the original on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2006-01-20.
  4. "CyKey keyboard, Microwriting". Bellaire.
  5. Microwriter advertising brochure and materials.
  6. ^ Redfern, Andy (February 1989). "Agenda" (PDF). Personal Computer World. pp. 154–156. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. "Quinkey Hardware Review". The Micro User.
  8. Vik, Olliver. "Handicap Access/RSI & Linux". Slashdot. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  9. ^ AgendA Archived 2008-01-24 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Rainey, Chris; Southgate, John (1989). "Applying ASICs to the design of a pocket organiser". Electronic Engineering. 61 (749). Television Society: 55.
  11. "Agenda-The First PDA". Geoff Macdonald's Computer Museum.
  12. Lawton, Rod (February 1990). "Class in Pocket". 8000 Plus. pp. 34–35. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  13. 8-Bit Single Chip Microcomputer Data Book. Hitachi America Ltd. February 1988. pp. 477–519. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. "SiWriter mobile Keyboard- note taking on the move. - SiWriter: an app for all". siwriter.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-09-24.

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