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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 21, 2013 23:26:42 GMT -7
I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now, and this Sunday's Mallard Fillmore cartoon got me thinking about it even more. For x-number of reasons I think a typewriter has plenty of potential to be a good communication tool. Does it come with limitations? Sure it does. Below I'll throw the pros/cons I can think of behind a typewriter as a tool for any of us.
For now to keep it simple let's stay on the subject of manual/mechanical-only typewriters.
Pros:
--they don't run on batteries or a separate electrical power source --nobody knows what you're typing unless they're literally looking over your shoulder (or that someone reads the paper you typed when it's no longer in your hands) --relatively kid-safe (assuming your document isn't still in the roll) --portable models exist (although they aren't the lightest things in the world to carry) --only one font (this could count as a con depending on how often you play with different computer fonts, but this is also a way to tell if any keys were replaced or altered)
Cons:
--unless you are delivering the message in person to the intended recipient there's a chance the wrong person could read the message (this is assuming no code was involved when typing it) --I know of no company that currently makes spare parts for any kind of mechanical typewriter at present time so one would be at the mercy of finding old spare parts from private sellers at flea markets, ebay, etc. --documents mailed to their intended recipient are still dependent on the mail carrier system assuming there's one still around post-SHTF (and if there isn't...)
I'm sure there are many other pros/cons to a typewriter as a comm. tool so feel free to add to the list. I am not in any way suggesting a typewriter be the only comm. tool anyone like us should have, but it certainly has its place among the other comm. tools we may have or are in the process of getting.
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Post by garret on Jul 22, 2013 4:52:42 GMT -7
if you are going to go that low tech wouldn't a pencil and a piece of paper be a cheaper alternative?
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Post by thywar on Jul 22, 2013 5:38:10 GMT -7
And lighter and just as quick in most cases.. (and saying that, last century I used to type 60+ words mistake free) I'm so used to a delete or backspace button it would take me quite awhile to relearn.. and don't forget what happens when you run out of ribbon.. then you just have a boat anchor..
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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 22, 2013 7:20:21 GMT -7
Well, my handwriting sucks. Bigtime. You could almost use my handwriting as an encryption based on how bad it is.
It was just an idea.
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Post by angelhelp on Jul 22, 2013 7:46:45 GMT -7
He's not kidding about his handwriting. One of the last things I said before he went off to boot was to please print. Even so, I still had to decipher some of his letters.
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Post by Rock on Jul 22, 2013 8:49:47 GMT -7
Ceorlmann, You said: "nobody knows what you're typing unless they're literally looking over your shoulder" I don't know when was last time that you hear manual/mechanical-only typewriter in action but they are pretty loud, you can put in jeopardy your location. I spent more than 5 years repairing typewriters most of them was antic models and they are great little bit loud tool for me but from my point of view they are good only for society recovery like official documentations. Personally I'll stick with notebook and pen for all my needs. I have very nice and nit hand writing. (If that is correct term)
I like your idea it's good that someone actually mention this here.
thywar, "don't forget what happens when you run out of ribbon..." that can be fixed if you have a little ink kit. Black and red magic bottles that most people never saw.
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Post by insaneh on Jul 22, 2013 8:57:22 GMT -7
Well, my handwriting sucks. Bigtime. You could almost use my handwriting as an encryption based on how bad it is. It was just an idea. I used to have very nice handwriting. I received compliments all the time. Enter 11th grade social studies. I've never seen anyone write so fast on a chalkboard. We had to keep up taking notes. You got 3 minutes in between then she was erasing. Completely ruined me. My writing is barely legible now. It's always on my resolutions list to practice and try to get better, but always falls to the wayside.
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Post by angelhelp on Jul 22, 2013 9:19:57 GMT -7
I'm sitting here laughing, insaneh! My writing was never neat, but it was legible once I hit 4th grade. My penmanship became markedly smaller as school progressed because I saw kids trying to copy test answers from me. Contortions involving circling an arm around the paper weren't effective, so I began writing small enough that they couldn't read the answers. By the time high school began, if the teacher presented blackboard notes at a rapid pace, I noticed my writing shrank commensurately. It still holds... if I must write rapidly, I tend to write very small.
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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 22, 2013 11:14:56 GMT -7
Ceorlmann, You said: "nobody knows what you're typing unless they're literally looking over your shoulder" I don't know when was last time that you hear manual/mechanical-only typewriter in action but they are pretty loud, you can put in jeopardy your location. I spent more than 5 years repairing typewriters most of them was antic models and they are great little bit loud tool for me but from my point of view they are good only for society recovery like official documentations. Personally I'll stick with notebook and pen for all my needs. I have very nice and nit hand writing. (If that is correct term) I like your idea it's good that someone actually mention this here. thywar, "don't forget what happens when you run out of ribbon..." that can be fixed if you have a little ink kit. Black and red magic bottles that most people never saw. If one is in hiding, then wouldn't one be more concerned with keeping hidden versus writing/typing stuff out?
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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 22, 2013 11:38:12 GMT -7
But to also think about it: how S hits TF will dictate what kind of tools we use. For instance if an EMP hits how many of us have HAM equipment (or other electric comm. tools) properly protected along with appropriate power sources? Or what if S hits TF such that while it happened your lifestyle hasn't changed significantly (i.e. still have your home along with your neighbors having theirs, food still available, etc.).
Also in the sense of further government snooping: depending on other typewriters being in the same area as you are with the same font (which can be a possibility) the gubby isn't going to know if a posted document out in town is yours for sure unless they see you posting it or took it down and went through the time and hassle to prove through other ways that you were the one who typed it.
Back to writing stuff out by hand: I've tried deliberately to only write stuff out by hand. I got tired of that real quick because I have a tendency to ramble on depending on the subject. It's even worse if I'm deliberately trying to keep it legible as there are times when even I can't read my own handwriting.
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Post by angelhelp on Jul 22, 2013 11:50:01 GMT -7
Documents can be traced back to specific typewriters. Ribbons can be every bit as revealing as documents themselves. What's avoid is a direct online snoop.
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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 22, 2013 15:09:20 GMT -7
Documents can be traced back to specific typewriters. Ribbons can be every bit as revealing as documents themselves. What's avoid is a direct online snoop. Enlighten me, please.
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Post by garret on Jul 22, 2013 16:59:34 GMT -7
i must admit my handwriting went the other way to most peoples on here it seems, i had terrible handwriting as a child then i started doing technical drawings and that changed my handwriting completely, admittedly i write in block capitals all the time now but everything is perfectly legible, if i try to write in cursive it looks like a 12 year old wrote it as thats the last time i wrote like that
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Post by Ceorlmann on Jul 22, 2013 17:40:37 GMT -7
You should see my notes when I'm at work. All caps I'm ok at; cursive is my next best. Printed is my pharmacist's style.
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Post by Cwi555 on Jul 22, 2013 18:01:22 GMT -7
Look at the letters on the type bars under a 7x or better loupe. Those tiny imperfections from manufacturing leave distinctive impressions on both the paper and the ribbon.
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