Tuesday 4 October 2011

Welcome to Type-O-Matic!


Last month, Cheryl threw down a gauntlet. In the face of almost impossible odds, Type-O-Matic is my experimental response to her question, "Can you create income with a typewriter?"

I'm considering Type-O-Matic to be in Beta. It is public but not launched because I'd like some feedback and advice from the good folk of the Typosphere. That's you, dear reader. 

I'd be extremely grateful if you could spend a few minutes checking out the service and letting me know what you think. Of course, you aren't the intended market for this service, but you are all well-placed to have opinions which I'd really value.

I have intentionally kept the site as simple as possible, but I'd especially value feedback on the home page and the way the service is described. I know I really should try to get a little movement on there, possibly in the info-graphic?

And how's my language? Too personal? Not personal enough? Too many words?

Seriously, don't pull your punches but DO please temper anything wholly negative with a useful remedy (even if it is "give it up"). I have nothing to lose giving it a try.

Finally, I have a few ideas for marketing but feel free to throw in any of your own.
 
Comments welcome below, over on Type-O-Matic's contact form or by e-mail if you have my address.

Link to Type-O-Matic

Many thanks in advance.

PS: I should add, the order form is live and functioning. Please don't trial it unless you really want a typed letter sending!

Monday 3 October 2011

So there I was...

...you know, checking our stats on the YouTube, as you do. Discussing the new channel screens and double-tapping to go full screen. You know, that sort of thing, like. Then the YouTube home page shows THIS sprawled across the banner for some creative agency. Like Richard's recent comp, if it isn't typed, it doesn't really count.


Wednesday 28 September 2011

On this day in typewriter history...



I'd just like to call for a public round of applause in appreciation of Robert Messenger's outstanding contribution to the enrichment of the Typosphere.

Robert's On This Day in Typewriter History series has delivered a wealth of historical, technical and cultural insight over on his blog at oztypewriter.

He's having a break from the history lessons but promises to be back next year!

Sunday 25 September 2011

Low hanging fruit

It always seems to end up being the last weekend of September by the time we get around to picking raspberries, today was no exception. Raspberry jam is one of those things that makes the prospect of shorter days, overcast skies and colder weather more bearable. There's a choice of a few fruit growers nearby, but Mrs Lester's mum at P J Lay's PYO on the Brightwell road is closest - about a mile away.
Mystical cat guards choice fruit
Mrs Lester's mum didn't want to be in the photo so she stayed out of sight behind the door
Typed recipe. Check those dates! Looks like we ran out of jam too early in 2007.
9lbs of fruit softening on a low light

Jars sterilising in the oven
Coming to the boil
When it comes to weights and measures, I have to describe myself as a metric migrant. One foot in the decimal present, the other in pounds and ounces and the days of yore
Sunshine in a jar