The Tinker WriterDeck OS Turns Any AMD64 Laptop, Desktop Into a Distraction-Free Writing Tool
Based on Debian, this single-purpose operating system puts old hardware to new use.
Pseudonymous self-described tinkerer, solarpunk, and hacker "Tinker" has released a pared-down operating system designed to turn any 64-bit Intel or AMD laptop or PC into a distraction-free single-task "WriterDeck" — and it's very sensibly named the Tinker WriterDeck OS.
"Convert any laptop and most chromebooks into a writer deck: a device designed solely for writing," Tinker writes of the software. No distractions. No internet. No apps. No games. No social media. Just writing. The Tinker WriterDeck is very light weight and specifically seeks to lower the barrier of entry to creating writer decks. It converts older, reused, refurbished, or inexpensive laptops into a dedicated writing machine. A digital typewriter."
The heart of the Tinker WriterDeck OS is a build of Debian Linux for AMD64 chips from Intel and AMD, and the small number of third-party compatibles — in other words, any mainstream desktop or laptop released in the last twenty years or so. It lacks a traditional desktop environment; instead it boots directly into the Tilde text editor, providing protection against losing your writing momentum after a quick Alt-Tab to a browser for a social media fix.
"The Tinker WriterDeck […] specifically seeks to lower the barrier of entry to creating writer decks," Tinker explains of the project's goal. "It converts older, reused, refurbished, or inexpensive laptops into a dedicated writing machine."
WriterDecks, a spin-off from the CyberDeck movement of cyberpunk-inspired homebrew machines, are becoming increasingly popular: as well as Un Kyu Lee's ever-growing family of Micro Journal devices we've seen the Ultimate Writer, Scripto, Foliodeck, SPUDwrite, FeatherQuill, ZeroWriter, WareWoolf, and M.U.S.E to name but a few. The Tinker WriterDeck OS, though, requires nothing in the way of special hardware or maker talent: just pick up the nearest laptop and boot.
Tinker WriterDeck OS is available for free download from the official website now; its configuration script is available on GitHub under the reciprocal GNU Affero General Public License 3.