On Thursday, November 24, 2011 2:01:36 PM UTC-5, chipschap wrote:
> For all of you creative writers out there who like minimalist
> environments, here is a bash typewriter simulator. No arrow keys,
> backspacing, cut and paste, nothing. What you type is what you get and
> you better get it right the first time. Some writers think this helps
> them focus and think about what they're writing instead of just typing
> any old thing. Other writers say it makes them faster because they
> can't back up and edit, they just have to keep typing. Whatever.
> The script is posted below. Updates (if any, hah), and a clean version
> without potential superfluous line wraps caused by posting, appear at
> http://www.bobnewell.net/filez/bashwriter
> ############################ begin bashwriter
> #############################
> #!/bin/bash
> # Bash typewriter simulator.
> # Runs on any relatively recent Linux system.
> # Not tested on anything else.
> # This is a 'pure typing' environment. Like a typewriter,
> # you can't backspace, can't edit, can only type. This is
> # supposed to increase creative writing quality and output,
> # though your mileage definitely may vary. The ideas are that
> # (1) you have no choice but to keep typing and
> # (2) you type less junk when you know you can't erase it.
> # That's the theory, anyhow. But the fact is that this is a
> # dead simple typing environment (it's certainly not an editor
> # as such) that will run on just about any modern Linux system.
> # Usage: bashwriter filename
> # 'filename' is the input/output file and is required.
> # The program is exited by pressing ctrl-C or ctrl-Z.
> # Typing: this is like a typewriter. You have to do a carriage
> # return at the end of a line. A real typewriter has a backspace
> # key, tab key, etc., but this one doesn't because we can't simulate
> # overstrikes on a terminal and we don't want to bother with coding
> # stuff like tab settings.
> # Additional features are not anticipated; they would not be in
> # keeping with this bare minimalist approach. So no typing sounds,
> # color changes, choice of fonts, etc. You can do some of that stuff
> # by setting up a bash profile. Call it a 'typing' profile if you
> # want and put a command on your menu to call this program with that
> # profile. Black type on a creamy white background and a fixed-width
> # typewriter font would be in keeping with the theme.
> # If you are foolish enough to think this script is any good,
> # consider the fact that another fellow wrote an excellent typewriter
> # simulator in about 20 lines of HTML. Now *that* is good!
> # Comments, bugs, changes to: bashwri...@bobnewell.net
> # Note that this is not a promise of performance.
> # The script is Copyright (C) 2011 by Futrezo Software Systems, a
> division
> # of Mr. Fred Investments. A free, unlimited, non-exclusive license
> # to use the script in any legal manner is granted. You may use it,
> # change it, create derivative works, sell it, give it away, or do
> # anything you like as long as it is lawful, but you may not take
> # ownership of the original script from us.
> # No warranties are provided, nor is any form of liability accepted.
> # No support is offered or provided.
> # 2011/11/24 0.02 Thanksgiving Day release.
> # Cleaned up a few things.
> # Probably as 'final' as it's going to get.
> # (Famous last words.)
> # 2011/11/23 0.01 Bob Newell, Honolulu, Hawai`i.
> # Initial coding.
> function fish {
> # Program termination function, as in 'go fish'.
> IFS=$saveifs
> reset
> exit 0
> }
> version="0.02 of 24 Nov 2011"
> saveifs=$IFS
> IFS=""
> # The size of the preserved text on the screen. This helps
> # mimic typewriter-like scrolling up. Right now it's hardwired.
> # It should really be based on the screen height but $LINES doesn't
> # seem to work within a bash script.
> tailsize=10
> tfile=$1
> echo "BASHWRITER typewriter simulator, version $version."
> # Test for specification of file.
> if [[ "$tfile" == "" ]]
> then
> echo "No typewriter file specified."
> exit 1
> fi
> # Test existence of file. If not, try to create.
> if [[ ! -f "$tfile" ]]
> then
> touch "$tfile" 2>/dev/null
> if [[ $? -ne 0 ]]
> then
> echo "Cannot create typewriter file $tfile."
> exit 1
> fi
> fi
> # See if the file is writable.
> if [[ ! -w "$tfile" ]]
> then
> echo "Typewriter file $tfile cannot be opened for writing."
> exit 1
> fi
> # Clear screen and put initial lines up.
> clear
> tail -$tailsize $tfile 2>/dev/null
> # Traps follow. 'fish' is a closeout routine which resets
> # the console, etc.
> trap fish QUIT
> trap fish INT
> trap fish HUP
> trap fish TSTP
> C=""
> # Remember: we have to ctrl-C out of the program.
> while [[ 1 -eq 1 ]];
> do
> # Read one character at a time, no escape sequences, no screen echo.
> read -n 1 -s -r C
> if [[ $C != "" ]]
> then
> # Process anything but carriage return, which comes through as "".
> # Then test printable, ignore if not. This gets rid of backspace etc.
> # If the char is usable, echo to the file and to the screen.
> # This requires POSIX which any relatively recent Linux system will
> have.
> if [[ $C == [[:print:]] ]]
> then
> echo -n $C >>$tfile
> echo -n $C
> fi
> else
> # Carriage return was evidently typed, triggering a scroll up.
> echo "" >>$tfile
> clear
> tail -$tailsize $tfile
> fi
> done
> ############################# end bashwriter #########################
