Micro Journal Rev.5: A Personal Journey

Craft your own personalized writerDeck by pairing it with your favorite mechanical keyboard. This unique device seamlessly connects to a vast array of mechanical keyboards via a USB port, transforming them into functional writerDecks. With the ability to power on and start typing immediately, along with the added convenience of syncing with Google Drive, this writerDeck ensures that your drafts are always securely recorded.

Powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, this device offers instant writing capabilities. It provides a user-friendly tool for all your writing needs, reminiscent of popular commercial alternatives.

Upon powering up, this device springs to life within moments, inviting you to unleash your creativity. With seamless integration with Google Drive, your work is effortlessly stored in your preferred cloud system, offering peace of mind and accessibility from anywhere. Whether capturing fleeting ideas or jotting down important tasks, this writerDeck is always ready to assist. Keep it on your bedside table to capture your dreams, and simply flip the power switch whenever inspiration strikes.

Disclaimer

I want to be clear so there is no misunderstanding. I design these writer decks for myself in my own search for the perfect writing and journaling device. I design the devices, print them, purchase and assemble the electronics and write the software. I share these designs and the software and provide parts in a kit for those who want such a device as a DIY (Do It Yourself) project. I also assemble these devices if people want, in which case you are also paying for my time, but they are still DIY. If problems occur, solutions may involve your tinkering under the hood. I enjoy sharing my designs and delight in people finding them useful. But I am not a manufacturer, I am hand crafting devices. There is no warranty and although I will try to help out when people run into problems, you are not purchasing any obligation for customer support. I have a job and a family, I take vacations, I have no staff that mans the phones or responds to emails while I am away. If you are not comfortable with my limits, then you may want consider some other mass manufactured device. I will always try to help, but within reasonable limits.

Purchase Options Explained

DIY Kit: Assemble it on your own. Package includes:

• 3D printed parts
• Micro Controller - ESP32 S3 with Micro Journal Firmware loaded
• Display - ILI9341
• LiPo Battery Charger Module
• 18650 Battery Holder
• Sliding Switch, 2 x 10mm M2 screw and nut
• USB A female
• USB c female
• 2 x buttons for the front panel
• Various M3, M2 hex screws, and heat inserts

Assembled

• DIY Kit will be assembled before shipping

** Note: LIPO battery is NOT included. EU delivery restrictions prevent batteries in the parcel. The device requires one 18650 battery to operate. Please source the battery separately.

Colors

You can request for custom colors. Please, contact the shop owner as soon as you have made the order. Make sure to get confirmation of your color options.

Here are color options that are already set by previous users

• Micro Journal Rev.5 Colors

Key Features

Micro Journal Rev.5 perfect for capturing sudden bursts of inspiration or quickly jotting down important tasks or ideas. It's a device that can be kept on your bedside table, ready to record your dreams at a moment's notice. All you need to do is find the power switch before immortalizing your weirdest dream ever in writing.

• Connect to USB keyboards and start writing Journals
• Sync with Google Drive of your own. No cloud service fees.

• Immediate power on, and have distraction-free writing experience.

• Multi language keyboard layout is supported

  • US Layout
  • US International
  • Canadian Multilanguage Layout
  • Italian Layout
  • German Layout
  • Belgian Layout
  • UK Layout
  • Finnish
  • Swedish
  • Latin America

Please, request in the order when you need a layout that is not specified in the list

• Dimension 12 x 14 x 5 cm, 600 g

Resources

Documents

• Behind Story
• Micro Journal Rev.5 Features and Use Cases
• Build Guide
• Build Video
• Quick Start Guide
• Firmware Release Page
• Firmware Source Code
• Design Files

Videos

• YouTube Playlist of Micro Journal Rev.5

User Reviews

• +1 for the Micro Journalk
• My first WriterDeck - the Micro Journal Rev 5.

Community

• Flickr - AlphaSmart - Writing Tools
• Reddit - writerDeck

Press

• Hackster.io: Micro Journal Offers a Customizable writerDeck Experience
• Guest Starring at Canadian National Radio
• Pascal Forget: Micro Journal – machine à écrire
• 98.5 Canadian Radio Channel about Micro Journal
• Tindie Blog: Micro Journal DIY Kit

In case of repair request

In case if your unit needs a repair, I can have a look and fix it and ship it back. In worst case, I can build a new one and ship it back to you. Provided that you send me the unit and cover the shipping cost and the material cost (if necessary). Typically shipping costs for me to ship it back takes around 55 USD. Send me a message when you are in need of a repair.