Online Virtual Typewriter?

[swallowtail]

Hey, does anyone know of an online virtual typewriter? I haven't been able to find one...

Thanks!

[PC-XT]

If you mean a Web Page that types a page and lets you print it out, I am making one. It won't look like a typewriter, but I guess it could if I styled it. My site went down, though, and I may need to find another host, so I put it on hold. But this page doesn't need a server. You can load it from a disk, type in it, then print it from the browser. There is no save feature.
If you mean a typewriter that actually prints as you type, it would probably need Java, ActiveX or some program.
I am making the HTML one because I haven't seen one before. There are two versions, one lets you type raw HTML, the other one is just like a typewriter. They require DHTML, or more specifically, JavaScript and DOM. If you want, I can try to finish it when I get a chance in the next few days, so you can see if it will work. It shouldn't be that hard, for a simple version. I'm thinking of making a separate window or frame control eventually.

[swallowtail]

Cool! That would be neat. I was looking for a page that looked like a typewriter, and typed what you were typing, but you could highlight and save what you wrote in a word document or something. What you are making sounds good, too though. Let me know when you finish!
Thanks!

[Bill_Marsden]

Just curious, what is wrong with word processors? I wanted for decades to get away from typewriters when I had to use them.

[swallowtail]

There's nothing wrong with them. But there is something about typing on a typewriter that seems attractive to me. It's sortof similar to distraction-free writing applications like WriteRoom, but with a slightly different feel. I'm not sure how much sense this is making, but maybe a little?

On a different note, I've never used a real typewriter before and a virtual one is about as close as I can get (for now). It would be an interesting experience.

[PC-XT]

I have a beta you can try. My CPU just fried, so I'm working on that now. Borrowing someone else's comp to post this... Had to post it on an old test forum, because this one doesn't allow HTML file attachments, and no time to fix my site hosting problem now. Hope it works. You can either open it in a browser directly, or download it: (The forum gives that choice; it's just a regular Webpage.) typewriter It's just a beta, not fully tested, so let me know if you have any problems... It would help to know the code on the status bar (updates with each key press for debugging) and any error message.
Also, since it runs in a browser, keys like tab and backspace may be interpreted by the browser before they get to the script. Try using Esc to remove the last character, and Ctrl+T to tab (except that this opens a new tab is some browsers, let me know if you can think of a better key). I plan on maybe finding better keys or making it look like a typewriter later.
A cheat code: to actually type HTML, once the typewriter is loaded in your browser, enter "javascript:void(nohtml=false)" in your browser (copy from here and paste there, if you like) to enable direct HTML typing (though not tested much yet, the slash for the closing tag opens a search box in FireFox.)
It starts completely blank, except for the title. Maybe I should put some message there, like type here or something, so you know it's loaded...ok, I just did.
You can copy what you type using your browser, but can't paste (yet).

Old typewriters used the same key for 1 (one) and l (lowercase L) and some other tricks that are different from this one, which is more like an electric typewriter I sometimes use which can be attached to a display to be used as a word processor.

[Bill_Marsden]

Once you've used a manual typewriter you never want to go back... to the manual typewriter that is. :D

The big difference between a keyboard and a selectric is the feel of the keyboard IMO. I remember the later Selectrics, that had the special tape that you could whiteout a character you mistyped.

Ink Jets are slow, but I never could get a color picture from by typewriters. :D Having been there, I'm glad to leave them behind. I can type around 50 WPM for what it's worth.

[PC-XT]

One thing, though: You can use manual typewriters when there is a power outage.

Although, you can just write it by hand, as well, so...


I'll try to post a better link to the typewriter web page later...

[PC-XT]

I just uploaded it as a regular Webpage here.

[PC-XT]

Here is an updated version with frames: HTML Typewriter

[Wafflecakes930]

I have found an online typewriter that works rather well, it looks really cool and you can type as the typewriter types it in for you. I was in the same place as you were because typewriters inspire me to write with more quality and with a more extensive vocabulary. It sounds silly but it is true. Here is the link: http://www.digitalfutureinc.com/
I hope this solves your problem!

[TimW]

@wafflecakes, you are replying to a 4 year old thread. I doubt the OP will come back to see your response.

[Wafflecakes930]

@TimW I don't mind. I found this post a little while ago while looking for an online typewriter, so it may be beneficial to SOMEONE.