WordTsar: WordStar updated "for the 21st Century"

Rob Beschizza 4:05 am Wed Jul 18, 2018

In an age before Microsoft Word, even before Corel WordPerfect, WordStar ruled the DOS word processing world. Beloved to this day for its simplicity, power and wealth of keystroke commands, some writers never gave it up: G.R.R. Martin maintains a DOS machine just to run WordStar 4. Enter WordTsar, a clone cut to run on modern machinery, brings the classic into the 21st century.

The keyboard controls we love.

WordTsar understands most of the Wordstar keyboard controls, and more are on the way,

The user interface we all know.

WordTsar gives you a look and feel similar to the original interface.

A new GUI.

WordTsar gives you a Graphical User Interface that will feel right at home.

There's something odd about just how many apps are made with writing (rather than coding) in mind, but how few of them offer much tooling for prose—let alone the ability to write and edit without mousing.

Cory Doctorow experiments with AI writing partner Sudowrite

GPT-3 is a machine-learning trained language model that generates text based on a text prompt. Cory Doctorow has been playing around with a closed-beta implementation of Sudowrite, which he describes as a "GPT3-based text generator for fiction writers. You give it characters, plot summaries, dialogue, or twist endings," and Sudowrite generates one of more paragraphs… READ THE REST
Nick Cave: writer's block is actually a "category error"

At Nick Cave's "The Red Hand Files," the musician/poet/screenwriter responded to a fan who asked, "What do you do when the lyrics just aren't coming?" In short, Cave's answer is to wait patiently. But his full reply is quite beautiful and inspiring. From The Red Hand Files: The idea of lyrics 'not coming' is basically… READ THE REST
An author wrote a beautiful tribute to his late dog disguised as writing advice

I've known Literary Agent/author Eric Smith as an editor and friend for about a decade now; I even wrote a review of his most recent novel, the delightful Don't Read the Comments, right here on BoingBoing. Sadly, Smith recently had to put down his beloved corgi, Augie, after five and a half sweet years together.… READ THE REST
Knife Aid's sharpening by mail service will feel like you bought a new set of knives

If you've been hacking away at meat or vegetables with blunted kitchen knives, annoyed that they're so dull that it's starting to feel more like tenderizing than slicing, you should probably stop. Dull knives are more than just a nuisance. They aren't safe. The worn-down edge of your blade requires more force from you to… READ THE REST
MATLAB is computer science for legit scientists, but you can learn it too with this training

If you've never heard of MATLAB or think it sounds vaguely like certain TV shows from the '80s, you'd be forgiven. Because even in a tech sector chock full of intricate, complex programs and systems that routinely leave lay people scratching their heads, MATLAB is science tech for the serious, SERIOUS scientists. Since its humble… READ THE REST
These super-soft bamboo sheets now have a secret weapon: pockets

Every once in a while, you stumble across a new twist on an old idea and ponder, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's often a concept so simple that it feels like it's been staring you in the face your whole life. It's that sense of "duh" that the Bamboo 6-Piece Smart Pocket Sheets… READ THE REST