Typewriter fans spurn computers<\/p>\n
By I. Christianto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A young man recalled an experience he had one
\nafternoon of desperately calling his friends one by one, asking
\nthem if they had a typewriter.<\/p>\n
When he found a friend whose father still had his aging
\ntypewriter, he rushed to pick it up. Then he had to run to a big
\nbookstore to buy a typewriter ribbon after failing to find one at
\nseveral photocopy and stationery stores.<\/p>\n
\"It was so unforgettable. That night, I had to fill out an
\nadditional, important form from a university I enrolled at. It
\nhad to be submitted the next morning. I could not handwrite the
\nform or use a computer, but had to find a typewriter. Now, I have
\na simple typewriter of my own, just in case ..., \" the young man
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The man, who is now pursuing a master's degree at the
\nuniversity, was lucky to find a typewriter and ribbon that
\nafternoon.<\/p>\n
Other people may have experienced the same problem when they
\nneeded a typewriter, which are becoming increasingly difficult to
\nlocate. We now live in a modern and wired world, filled with
\nelectronic, automated and motorized tools and machines, including
\ncomputers. Many people feel inconvenienced when separated from
\ntheir personal digital agendas or palm pilots.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, the classic typewriter remains a favorite for
\nsome people, like the father of that young man's friend. These
\npeople are fond of using their typewriters, or simply like to
\ncollect them.<\/p>\n
Noted writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 75, is among those who
\ncontinue to use typewriters in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
\"I do enjoy the sounds of the old manual typewriter. It's so
\nartistic. Somehow, it supports me in writing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He admitted that he had tried to become accustomed to
\ncomputers. \"But there are so many 'regulations' and I can't catch
\nthem. And I don't feel the same way if I use the computer.\"<\/p>\n
He said that when writing on his typewriter, he worked
\ncontinuously over a period of time.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know exactly the age of my typewriter, but I've been
\nusing it for quite sometime.<\/p>\n
\"I learned to use a typewriter when I was 17, at my school. I
\nspent two weeks mastering typing by myself, without any
\ninstructor,\" he recalled.<\/p>\n
\"My first job was as a typist at Domei, a Japanese news agency
\nlocated in Pasar Baru.\"<\/p>\n
Pramoedya, regarded as one of Indonesia's finest writers, has
\nwritten hundreds of works of fictions and nonfiction.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim Yahya, 70, is another person who regularly uses a
\nmanual typewriter. Since retiring from the military, he says he
\nhas been involved in various organizations and foundations.<\/p>\n
\"As a retired soldier, I have to be involved in some
\nactivities. Participating in several organizations is good for
\nme. I am dealing with mailings and other administration affairs
\nthat require me to use a typewriter.\"<\/p>\n
He said he once tried to use a word processor, \"but still I
\nenjoy using a typewriter more than a computer\".<\/p>\n
Not all typewriter users are elderly people who grew up with
\nthe machines. There are others who have to use typewriters
\nbecause it is the only thing available in their offices. In many
\npolice stations, for instance, the officers work with
\ntypewriters.<\/p>\n
An officer with the information unit at Jakarta Police
\nHeadquarters said only one out of the hundreds of subprecincts in
\nGreater Jakarta were equipped with computers. This subprecinct in
\nTaman Sari, West Jakarta, has made a name for itself by arresting
\nAgus Isrok, the son of former Army chief of staff Gen. Soebagyo,
\nand Gusti Maya Firanti Noor, a grand daughter-in-law of former
\npresident Soeharto, for drug offenses.<\/p>\n
McGraw-Hill's Encyclopedia of Science and Technology mentions
\nthat the commercial manual typewriter was launched in 1874, while
\nthe electric one was introduced in 1934.<\/p>\n
In a span of more than 100 years, this machine actually
\nrevolutionized the world of communications. However, in the
\ncurrent world of efficiency and order, people believe in progress
\nand technology and pay more attention to developments and new
\n\"advances\" in the telephone, PCs and multimedia gadgets.<\/p>\n
The typewriter is of the world's great unsung inventions. But
\nshould something akin to the Y2K bug actually strike, people will
\ncertainly be singing the praises of the typewriter then.<\/p>",
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