Word Processor Without Games, Fonts and Other Distractions. Does it exist?

[fluffybunny]

My ds types everything as he has dysgraphia, but is always getting sidetracked with things to play with on the laptop. Does anyone know of a gadget or program that has absolutely no games or fun things on it - just pure typing? thank you

[Farrar]

Ten years ago, one of the schools where I taught had a shelf of Alphasmarts. Sounds like that's what you want - just word processing, lightweight, only shows a few lines of text at a time (annoying for some of us, but apparently good for some learning disabilities). It could save a bunch of files, but mostly when you finished you'd stick a USB in it and send it to any word processing program (it "typed" it in really fast). From there you could do final edits and print. I don't know what the newer "thing" like it would be since I don't think they make them anymore, but I'm sure you could find an old one for pretty cheap.

[fluffybunny]

Thank you: the Alphasmart is in the right direction, but since he's now 14, he is used to using a full page. I hope there is something out there. 

[ElizabethB]

I wonder if there is a software lockdown function or program out there you could use. It would probably be designed for safe use for young children, but could work for your case as well.

[ElizabethB]

Oh, I know, do you have a mac? You can have login pages with only a few software programs installed, for example, just word and excel.

[hornblower]

There are some productivity apps which would probably work for you. 

ColdTurkey has a free basic setup that will block access to websites (I think maybe you can block the browser altogether? I haven't used it in a while so I can't remember exactly) & in the paid version, it has more options including blocking games on the computer. 

RescueTime is another popular productivity app. 

[ktgrok]

I use Freedom to block myself from the internet when I'm writing :) It's a great app. 

[fluffybunny]

Oh, I know, do you have a mac? You can have login pages with only a few software programs installed, for example, just word and excel.

 

That sounds the most promising thing so far. We've never had Macs, but I'll willing to try anything! I'll talk to dh and the local tech shop about this. Thank you.

[ElizabethB]

That sounds the most promising thing so far. We've never had Macs, but I'll willing to try anything! I'll talk to dh and the local tech shop about this. Thank you.

.

 

We have pages for each of our children, when they were younger they only had a few programs on them. They have more now, but they still need our password and login authorization to get a new pogram downloaded, if you buy a new program on the main page it does not automatically go to their page. Mac has had this for a while, so an older mac will work too, but you will need to keep the password secure.

[Janeway]

Use parental controls and shut out everything except the word processing software on his sccount. Also, have consequences for breaking rules when he does something else during that time.

[fluffybunny]

There are some productivity apps which would probably work for you. 

 

ColdTurkey has a free basic setup that will block access to websites (I think maybe you can block the browser altogether? I haven't used it in a while so I can't remember exactly) & in the paid version, it has more options including blocking games on the computer. 

 

RescueTime is another popular productivity app. 

 

Thanks: that looks good as well. I've saved that to my favorites. 

[kiwik]

How about a dedicated laptop with no internet and everything except office removed.  You could use an old xp or something as security would not be a huge issue.  You can download work to a usb stick daily and if you accidentally use an infected usb you can reset to factory settings.

 

I am going to keep one of our xp computers to run some discs we have and type.

 

It would still have fonts etc though.

Edited March 24, 2016 by kiwik

[hornblower]

The more I think about, I actually think this is the perfect age to get into the habit of using productivity and lock out apps and make it part of a kid's "normal" way of using a computer. It's something they will have to learn to deal with and these tools are such great ways of monitoring and controlling digital time and improving productivity.

 

On the #studyblr hashtag on tumblr, there are frequent recommendations for various apps for computers and smartphones. Like for smartphones, there's an app which lets you plant and grow a little plant but it only grows if you don't touch your phone for a certain period of time.

 

The chrome extension "momentum" replaces a tab with a beautiful image, an inspirational quote, and has a to do list, so you can be re-oriented to your priorities every time you open the browser.

 

And there's a cool screensaver that is just a black background with a white clock displaying current time. I find it motivating to get moving and finish stuff (though my kids think it reminds them too much of a doomsday clock ticking down lol)

 

Certainly a pared down machine is also an option but high school and beyond will usually require Internet access sooner or later so you pretty much have to learn to be able to deal with the distractions effectively.

 

 

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