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Intractable

(2,564 posts)

44. The advent of the word processor gave me two careers.

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 10:15 AM

Apr 7

Before I had the word-processor cartridge for my Atari 800, I hated writing.

After I acquired it in my junior year of college, circa 1984, I excelled at writing. I had such an advantage over the other students in all of my classes. Straight A's in everything from then on.

I eventually became a teacher of computer programming and applications, including word processing (WordPerfect).

My knowledge of the processor then led to a career as a technical writer.

It is a tool for organizing thoughts. This is not feasible on a typewriter.

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AI Forces College Professor to Get Typewriters for Entire Class [View all] HAB911 Apr 6 OP

Very groovy... wcmagumba Apr 6 #1

Seems like a pen and paper might be easier. But I do think reversion to analog skills might soon Scrivener7 Apr 6 #2

much cheaper for sure HAB911 Apr 6 #3

pretty sure u can get used typewriters cheap. mopinko Apr 6 #4

The ones I've seen for sale online are hundreds of dollars. highplainsdem Apr 6 #5

There Are Plenty Free Models ProfessorGAC Apr 6 #24

But they're typewriters. They don't fit in a purse or a pocket very well. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #38

Because newspapers are so reliable? SocialDemocrat61 Apr 6 #22

More than the places where most get their news online. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #39

No source is completely reliable SocialDemocrat61 Apr 6 #40

Obviously. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #41

Quote from a student: "This might sound bad, but I was forced to actually think about the problem on my own instead of highplainsdem Apr 6 #6

Omg! Having to think on their own? 😱 SheltieLover Apr 6 #8

OMG! 2naSalit Apr 6 #19

I love this! SheltieLover Apr 6 #7

They simply need to get AI out of classrooms. Which is unfortunately impossible with remote learning. highplainsdem Apr 6 #9

Yes, they do need to get ai out of classrooms! SheltieLover Apr 6 #10

I posted about typewriters a couple of months ago - DURHAM D Apr 6 #11

Where do you find typewriter ribbons? mainer Apr 6 #12

Ummm, ask AI??? yagotme Apr 6 #18

Online, or some office supply stores. highplainsdem Apr 6 #21

Try here radical noodle Apr 6 #23

That's why I jettisoned my beloved Selectric III LSparkle Apr 6 #25

I kick myself HAB911 Apr 6 #28

Great Idea! MineralMan Apr 6 #13

Some profs and colleges (and even high schools) are going to oral exams only. TygrBright Apr 6 #14

Bring back blue books! Scrivener7 Apr 7 #42

Wait - you can still buy typewriters? n/t SpankMe Apr 6 #15

In about 1983 the company I worked for bought an IBM Selectric with erase key. Cost $1,200. twodogsbarking Apr 6 #16

I remember that behemoth machine. Had Selectric envy for a bit of time. Attilatheblond Apr 6 #27

I remember my grandfather running his finger down Scrivener7 Apr 7 #43

The headline is misleading nuxvomica Apr 6 #17

AI equals brain rot. Lonestarblue Apr 6 #20

My big brother got me a portable Olivetti typewriter when I was 10. Kept it until I was 40 Attilatheblond Apr 6 #26

That's what I have! A portable Olivetti Lettera mainer Apr 6 #30

I could see AI being used to address these issues. David__77 Apr 6 #29

I remember taking typing back in High School LetMyPeopleVote Apr 6 #31

I wanted to graduate early, so..... HAB911 Apr 6 #32

I'm so glad I took typing class in HS at the start of the personal computer age... wcmagumba Apr 6 #33

funny how things work out HAB911 Apr 6 #34

The word processor Wifes husband Apr 6 #35

Exactly right. DavidDvorkin Apr 6 #37

The advent of the word processor gave me two careers. Intractable Apr 7 #44

Now they too can go get ribbons off the electronic bay! Initech Apr 6 #36