Carousel, a TV typewriter for creative notetaking

I'm excited to share Carousel, my latest retro homebrew project for DOS. 

Inspiration

Carousel is a program for creative note-taking inspired by the TV typewriter, a hobbyist word processor that connects to a television set and predates the home computer revolution of the mid-1970s. I've always been captivated by the TV typewriter and the work of its designer, Don Lancaster. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Lancaster published several instructional books and articles on build-it-yourself video hardware. These designs were made obsolete by manufactured computers but today offer an exciting glance at an alternate timeline of handmade, homegrown computing.

The idea to create my own version of the TV typewriter came out of frustration with my scattered note-taking strategies. I used notebooks, mobile apps, and even an electric typewriter, whose constraints I came to appreciate. (No cut and paste!) How could I bring the immediacy and simplicity of my electric typewriter into a smaller, more sustainable, and more fun package? And how could I use the magic of computers organize my writing by date and topic without spending time fighting with file management? Thus, Carousel was born. I began using Carousel while I was developing it, and I've been hooked ever since. I use Carousel to write about my various projects and to keep daily logs. And I  use it nearly every day.

Key features

I'll share more about what you can do with Carousel in upcoming posts, but here's a quick list of the key features until then.

• Small: Less than 150KB.
• Cyberdeck and retrocomputing optimized: Does not require a sound card or mouse. Extremely constrained design feels right at home on bespoke computers running MS-DOS or a DOS emulator.
• Frictionless: Files are automatically saved, dated, and organized by topic as you write. No additional export step required.
• Easy: Operate with a handful of keystrokes. Comes with manual and in-software tutorial.
• Creative: Set up multiple topics and switch between them to capture off-topic ideas before you forget them. Customize topics with provided colors or provide your own.
• Secure: Your content, stored on your device. Carousel never uses an internet connection and never "phones home" with your data. 
• Lots of possibilities: Use the "Advanced settings" menu to select Markdown format, and use Carousel to write blog posts or other Markdown content. Connect networked folders, printers, or something else for even more capability.
• Fun: A whimsical carnival theme to delight you, complete with a carnival prize booth. 

Early access done differently

Some games and software offer early-access releases, which help developers build community with users and collect feedback while the software is still in development. Because the software is incomplete and potentially buggy, early-access software is typically provided at or below the purchase price.

I've decided to offer early access for Carousel, though with a flipped pricing model. Early-access builds will be listed at a price higher than the general release price of $9.99 USD. This provides a way for engaged fans and enthusiasts to support the work that I do, which is non-commercial and niche by design. I don't think of the work I create as a product, and I don't think of you as a customer. Please pay the early-access price if you like the work I do and wish to support me. As my thanks, you will have access to pre-release builds, the ability to provide feedback, and an exclusive in-game goody. Otherwise, sit back and wait a few months for Carousel's general release.

What's next?

As of yesterday, Carousel is feature complete! I'm spending this week doing QA and fixing the last few known bugs and improvements on my list:

• Fix issue where color submenu does not always load with the correct default value
• Sort options in topic submenus based on user preferences 
• Remove unused code

I'm also planning to get a mini-manual ready so that early-access folks can begin trying Carousel early next week. Eventually, I'll create a nicer, printable version, but I don't want that to hold up early access.