July 30 Seattle Type-In: Recap

For a few moments on Saturday, the Typosphere witnessed the very first trans-oceanic type-in. Adwoa and yrs truly attended via a Google+ "hangout" (videoconference) and some of the actual attendees wrote up their experiences as well

• SnohomishWriter
• Strikethru
• Little Flower Petals
• Just Write
  

Despite some technical hiccups, I'll call this a success, and strongly encourage folks to consider a virtual type-in if you can't make a physical one. Or we could even have standing times to hold them, if you like -- "second Saturday of the month," for example. The hangout software is well put-together (though I say this having had no luck with Skype in the past.) Anyone needing a Google+ invite can pester me or many of the others in this list. I'm mpclemens@gmail.com if you want to drop me an email (and remind me which blog you belong to so I can circle you appropriately.)

UPDATE: innocent bystander Madelyn got drawn in by the sight and sound of a table-full of typists, and wrote up a little something on her blog, including a brief cell-phone video clip of the typing action in full swing.

Type-in Tradin'

Hey kids...I have an Underwood Five that I bought from Blue Moon a mere couple of months ago. It's a great machine, but I made the purchase back before I moved to Washington, and to be honest, space is kind of at a premium here.

I was thinking of simply reselling it, but shipping this brute would be a pain, so would any of the Washington type-in attendees be interested in a trade? The machine is in excellent shape, having been reconditioned by the artists at Blue Moon. In exchange, I am looking for a high-quality portable, something that I can store and take with me on the go.

Let me know if you are interested, and I'll bring it with me on the 30th.

Your Favorite Repair Shop?

Hi again, Typosphere. I know that Richard Polt has a repair-shop list (which I can't find at the moment, Richard?) I'm thinking about adding them with a special icon to our map page. If you have a favorite shop, please post their name and address in a comment and I'll include them in the map.

Virtual Type-In?

Hello Typosphere, long time no post.

I've been fiddling around with Google+ (a.k.a., Google's response to Facebook.) I've found a number of you over there already, but it's still pretty quiet. One feature the Google folks have built in, though, is an easy way to set up a group videoconference (a "Hangout" in Google parlance.) It's all very high-tech and magical.

Anyone in the 'sphere willing to give this a try and go for a virtual type-in? I can invite people if I have an email address, and am happy to do so if folks are so inclined. Or maybe I should stop compensating and just move up to the Seattle area, which appears to be the spiritual hub of U.S. typecasters.

It's Easy Now Girls!

The Saturday Evening Post of 1953 would like to sell you a Royal with an extra 43rd key, customizable for your business needs! (via Modern Mechanix)

"Analog Renaissance"

Typewriters get top billing in this New York Magazine story about the "analog renaissance" and "analog underground."

Royal Aristocrat Question...

Hey folks. Still not quite sure if this is the right place for queries, but today I saw a Royal Aristocrat at an antique store, and it appeared to be in pretty good shape. Plus, it has those neato "shift freedom" keys and is tagged at a paltry $42.

HOWEVER: Whenever I typed a letter on it, the ink ribbon would pop out of the top of the ribbon vibrator even though the ribbon itself was fitted into the guides near the spools.

I'd like to pick the thing up, but if this is a major issue, I'd hate to walk away with a pain-in-the-butt repair job.

Any thoughts?

And so it begins...

The 15 vignettes in thirty one days challenge starts today!!

Get writing!