dana computer?

[Mike O'Dell]

they are known as an "alphatype" - a very primitive
word-processor along the lines of the fabled
Trash-80 Model 100

historically they have been the device of choice in
special ed programs with people who have trouble
writing with a pen or pencil. they are light, durable
and cost a lot less than PCs used to. kids can carry
them between classes when that is out of the question
for full-fledged PCs. they are still actively used
in FFX County Public Schools, although i suspect
the cost of cheap "netbooks" that can run Win7
have put considerable pressure on them.

the big deal, though, is that they are *simple*.
no mouse, just curor keys, simple simple simple.
the display does only 2 lines of text at once.

my son James reports that chargers for them are becoming
the critical component. i guess they are less
robust than the Alphatype itself. 

       -mo