Author HelpFeb 7

Robin has written a review of #WriterDeckOS, which is designed to turn an old laptop or chromebook into a distraction-free writing machine.
https://phillipsuk.org/robin/posts/2026/2026-02-03-writerdeckos/

#WriterDeck #WritersOfMastodon #WritingCommunity

@bookstodon @writingbooks

WriterDeckOS Review

I’ve been interested in the concept of writer decks for years, since I first discovered that some people use old AlphaSmart devices in that way. People who use writer decks find it helpful to write on a device with no distractions. When I’m writing my books, I refer to my sources and notes (stored on a computer) a lot. If I used a writer deck to write, I’d still need a computer close by for reference, so I don’t want a writer deck for my main writing. But I’m still fascinated by the idea. I recently discovered WriterDeckOS, and decided to try it out on an old laptop.

Robin Phillips
Author HelpFeb 3

Robin tried WriterDeckOS and wrote a review on their blog.

... if you’re looking for a writer deck, an old laptop running WriterDeckOS is a good choice.

https://phillipsuk.org/robin/posts/2026/2026-02-03-writerdeckos/

#WriterDeck #WriterDeckOS @tinker

WriterDeckOS Review

I’ve been interested in the concept of writer decks for years, since I first discovered that some people use old AlphaSmart devices in that way. People who use writer decks find it helpful to write on a device with no distractions. When I’m writing my books, I refer to my sources and notes (stored on a computer) a lot. If I used a writer deck to write, I’d still need a computer close by for reference, so I don’t want a writer deck for my main writing. But I’m still fascinated by the idea. I recently discovered WriterDeckOS, and decided to try it out on an old laptop.

Robin Phillips
Show threadJackNov 9
Are you writing #writerDeckOS to avoid writing? Because if so, that's next level.
Tinker ☀️Nov 9

I guess you've arrived in the Linux Distro world when someone posts a heckling thread about your distro in Hacker News.

Jeese, ya'll, if you don't like it, don't use it.

Over here minding my own business and sharing with five other people who enjoy it 😂 😭

#writerDeckOS #Linux

Tinker ☀️Nov 9

Ok. About to dive in and work on a heavy chunk of the next update for #writerdeckOS .

Wish me luck!

#FOSS #Linux #solarPunk

N-gated Hacker NewsNov 8
🎩✨ Presenting the marvel of the millennium: WriterdeckOS! Transform your laptop into a glorified typewriter, because who needs the internet or apps in 2023, right? 🚀💼 Just what every writer dreams of—a $1000 distraction-free zone, with the added thrill of figuring out how to download an ISO from the Internet Archive! 📚🔍
https://writerdeckos.com #WriterdeckOS #GlorifiedTypewriter #DistractionFreeZone #CreativeWriting #TechTrends #HackerNews #ngated
writerdeckOS

A Writer Deck Operating System

writerdeckOS
Hacker NewsNov 8

WriterdeckOS

https://writerdeckos.com

#HackerNews #WriterdeckOS #technology #innovation #writingtools #productivity

writerdeckOS

A Writer Deck Operating System

writerdeckOS
Tinker ☀️Oct 29

Someone installed writerdeckOS onto a 32bit Sony Vaio P netbook!!!

Yay putting new life into old tech!

https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/comments/1ojhua8/sony_vaio_p_writerdeck/

#writerdeckOS #permacomputing #solarPunk

Show threadJulie MillsAug 31, 2025

Okay, so now I've looked into this a little more I've decided it is absolutely doable, but just too minimalist for my taste.

Very nice and creative idea though! I love how different writer people are in the tools and processed they use. Writing is a creative activity in more than just the resulting content.

#WriterDeck #WriterDeckOS #Writing

Show threadTinker ☀️Aug 31, 2025

Okay! Figured out automounted USBs for global settings now. I've got it creating a Folder in the user's home directory for USBs as well.

Putting a "udiskie" backgrounded run command in the global /etc/profile:

/usr/bin/udiskie -N -F --no-notify-command >/dev/null 2>&1 &

And then right below it, I'll do a (if symlink does not exist, then create it) and have it specific to whichever user is logging on.

if [ ! -L /home/$USER/USBs ]; then ln -s /media/$USER/ /home/$USER/USBs; fi

This works for any given user that logs on. If you try and change users with the "su" command, it doesn't work (not sure how to get the global profile to load when you change users... but its not important).

This is a single user system and the only reason to have the $USER check is because the user sets their own username at installation. This will work for that usecase wonderfully, I believe.

#writerdeckOS #linux