Download
Requirements:
- 64bit processor (Intel/AMD)
- Will not work on an ARM processorThe installation ISO is hosted at The Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/tinkerWD-1.0Donate to the Internet Archive here: Donate
About
The Tinker WriterDeck is an operating system used to convert laptops and many Chromebooks (with 64-bit Intel/AMD processors) into a "Writer Deck".A Writer Deck is a device that is used solely for writing text.It minimizes distractions. No internet browsing, no apps, no games, no social media, no notifications. Not even major formatting!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.The Tinker WriterDeck sits on top of a "headless" Debian Linux image and boots directly into a console based text editor. We're using the Tilde Text Editor because it is simple text editor, has an intuitive User Interface, and allows for customized color schemes for light and dark modes.More information:
- General Info about Writer Decks: writerDeck.org
- Reddit: Writer Deck Subreddit | Tinker WriterDeck Thread
- Tinker WriterDeck: Github Repo | Archive Org ISO Page
- Tilde Text Editor: Github Repo | Website
Install
DISCLAIMER: Tinker WriterDeck OS comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by applicable law.WARNING: You are engaging in a DIY endeavor. You may break your machine. The installation may not work. You may erase the old operating system and not be able to start your device up ever again. This OS has only been tested on a couple of machines and is not guaranteed to work on every laptop. Only try this if you're willing to accept the consequences.WARNING: This will erase everything on the laptop you install it on. Please make backups before beginning.1. With the downloaded ISO, Create a bootable USB: Tutorial
2. Plug the USB into your designated laptop and boot from USB: (Depending on your laptop, either press F12, Escape, or F2 during the boot up sequence. Check your laptop manual for specific instructions. Note: You may have to turn "Secure Boot" off within your BIOS.)
3. Installation will proceed automatically. The hard drive and all previous contents will be erased and the writer deck will be installed.
4. Once finished, press Enter when prompted. Between when the device shuts off and just as it starts up, remove the Installation USB.
5. For First Boot you will enter
- Username: author
- Password: password
6. After start up, shut down by pressing your laptops power button (this will take a short while but will be quicker on subsequent poweroffs).
7. Restart laptop and it will boot directly into Tilde word processor.
Usage Instructions
Always remember to Save (Ctrl+S). There is NO autosaving!!!
Turn On: Press your laptop's power button.
Turn Off: Press your laptop's power button.
Turn Off (alternate): From Tilde, Press Ctrl+Q to quit. From the command line, type: shutdown (press enter)
To use Tilde: Press Alt+F to bring up the menu system and use arrow keys to navigate around. More info: Here
To change color scheme: (Light Mode / Dark Mode) - Press Alt+O, arrow key down to "Interface" and press Enter, then select "Text Area Attributes", then "Text". Change Foreground and Background Color to desired colors.
The Enable Word Wrap: Press Alt+O, arrow key down and select "Buffer Defaults". Press spacebar on "Wrap text", choose OK, and then restart.
USBs: Access plugged in USBs in the "USBs" folder in the home directory.
To Access File System: Press Ctrl+Q to quit.
To Navigate File System, Move Files, & Delete Files: Use common Bash commands: Tutorial
⇦ Photo of a Tinker WriterDeck in Light Mode
Advanced
Developer Mode: Press Ctrl+Q to quit Tilde. Underlying file system and command prompt is running Bash.
To restart Tilde from the Command Line: Type tilde and press enter.
To change keyboard layout: From the initial command line, run: exit to drop to a lower command line, then run sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration then run: sudo service keyboard-setup restart
To use a different text editor besides Tilde: Edit the /home/author/.profile file. The Tinker WriterDeck comes preinstalled with several text editors. Use apt to install more.
To connect to the internet: (For syncing and app installation purposes) Use: nmcli (from the command prompt).
To sync folders to cloud services: Follow service specific instructions. Examples: Nextcloud | Dropbox | Google Drive
To Encrypt Harddrive & Require Password to Log in: Install a headless version of Debian 12.10 "Bookworm" and select Full Disk Encryption using LUKS upon installation. Then run configuration script found: Here
⇦ Photo of a Tinker WriterDeck in Dark Mode
Contact
For questions or assistance, you're welcome to reach out directly to the developer via the Fediverse: @tinker@infosec.exchangeFor group discussion and questions, you're welcome to join the Reddit /r/writerDeck thread here: Reddit Discussion ThreadFor technical issues and bug discussions, please open an Issue Ticket on Github here: Github Issue Tracker
