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Linux typewriter notes

Introduction

Inspired by electronic word processor / typewriting devices like the King Jim Pomera DC-100, Freewrite and AlphaSmart Neo, I've been wondering about creating a lightweight Linux distribution to turn a PC (or Raspberry Pi?) into a typewriter. I assumed what I was picturing would already exist, but it doesn't exactly seem to. Others online have suggested something very similar, but I haven't come across an actual working system. Anyway, here's what I'm imagining...

Core features

• Boots from live USB key.
• Boots straight into text editor - no login, no GUI, no X.Org.
• Provide syncing (wirelessly to cloud, via QR code a la Pomera, USB key / SD card, email, or whatever)

Advantages

• Writer can use it with their preferred keyboard.
• Could potentially be used with e-paper display.
• Can re-use old hardware - environmentally sound.
• Could also be used to provide distraction-free alternative boot environment for regular laptop.
• Zero cost if writer sources e.g. a defunct laptop.

Disadvantanges

• Won't provide the long battery life of something like a Freewrite.
• Regular laptop / monitor may not be as easy on the eyes as the display on Pomera / Freewrite / whatever.

Existing solutions

The two web pages below are the most similar descriptions to what I'm imagining. The first (by Scollurio) describes something virtually identical to what I'm picturing, but it's a request for someone to create it! The second is a 2012 how-to from PC World.

Why We Need Dedicated Modern Typewriters by Scollurio - medium.com - Mar 17, 2021

• Reviews several options for distraction-free writing
• Suggests "Linux Typewriter OS"

How to turn your laptop into a typewriter by Erez Zukerman - PCWorld - JUL 16, 2012

• Based on Ubuntu Server
• Clear steps to configure booting straight into nano in text mode Linux, with dropbox cloud syncing

Setup

In Debian Live:

mkdir live
cd live/
#lb config
#lb config --architectures i386
lb config -a i386 -k 686-pae
echo "jed console-setup" >> config/package-lists/my.list.chroot

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/etc/skel
cat << EOF >> config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.bash_login
#!/bin/sh
# Ted Burke - Typewriter Linux - 9-Oct-2022
# Boot straight into text editor in terminal
jed
nano
EOF

mkdir -p config/hooks/live
cat << EOF > config/hooks/live/typewriter.hook.chroot
#!/bin/sh
# Ted Burke - Typewriter Linux - 9-Oct-2022
# Configure console font size
echo 'FONTSIZE="16x32"' >> /etc/default/console-setup
EOF
chmod 755 config/hooks/live/typewriter.hook.chroot

sudo lb build

sudo cp live-image-i386.hybrid.iso /dev/sdb
sudo sync

To do list

• Configure GRUB: bypass boot menu, splashscreen?
• Automatically connect to wifi?
• Persistent storage partition on USB key for config settings, wifi password, text buffer storage, etc.?
• QR code transfer of typed text to phone. (Use e.g. fim / fbi to display QR code in terminal?)
• Boot settings: keyboard layout, timezone, user-default-groups for USB drive access?
• Modify .bash_login to launch text editor with filename soecified.
• Add optional proprietary firmware for wifi, graphics (for screen resolution), etc.?

Ideas

• Possible name: "Fletcher Linux" or just "Fletcher" with GRUB splashscreen of JB Fletcher typing