Updated 12/03/2024
Proudly WEB 1.0 (with CSS)
Neo and Neo 2 are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc. and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries.
I also have a Dana Help Links Page, if you are looking for that.
This is a site dedicated to providing links and downloads to support writers using the discontinued Alphasmart Neo and Neo 2 (which I will henceforth refer to by the single term "Neo" as there are no real differences between the two for writers). The Neo is a digital typewriter best suited for distraction free drafting. It is no longer being produced, but you can still find them on eBay (they are getting more expensive but still worth the price). As they were created for classroom use, they are rugged and they run for an incredible 700 hours on 3 AA batteries. These are very simple machines that do one thing (drafting) and do it very well, so you won't find a lot of links here, but hopefully the links that are here will be helpful
No fancy web technology, just a good old fashioned pre-Flash Web 1.0 web page for providing links to information and downloads relevant to the Alphasmart Neo.This is not intended to be some kind of complete wiki of information on the Neo. I have neither the time nor the web skills for that. This is just helpful resources for Neo folks using these unique keyboards for writing. These will be the kind of links that I might want to point people to when answering questions on the Alphasmart forum (listed below).
Now I call these my links, but really everything here are things passed on from others. I'm just paying forward and making it easier for me to find links I need to help answer questions. The other thing I'm trying to do, with the Neo discontinued, is making sure critical software and information remains available from a trustworthy source.
I hope this site proves useful. Feel free to contact me (user name H0Ok) at the Alphasmart Forum listed below.
Please note, I am just someone who appreciates this great writing tool and am trying to provide useful links for other users of the Neo. This site is in no way affilated with, approved by, nor represets Renaissance Learning, Inc.
|
We now have to turn to the Internet Archive for his page, but the downloads work. The only download you want for using the Neo as a writer is the Neo Manager. You don't even need that if all you are doing is drafting and using send, but if you want to load text files from you computer onto the Neo or transfer new fonts (see below), you will need it. The user manuals are quite good and very helpful. |
|
|
A great forum for learning about any Alphasmart keyboard. Almost everything I know about the Neo came from these people. A great and very helpful group of folks. If you have questions about the Neo, this is the place to go. |
|
|
There is a UK version of the Neo and Neo 2 and they are different from the US version. Once again, we need to rely on the Internet Archive, but here are the downloads for that version! Some of the links end up transferring you after reporting an error, but be patient-- they work. |
|
|
You'll need to do this every 5-7 years and might want to do it on any used one you buy that you don't know the history of. |
|
|
How to replace the coin cell in your Alphasmart NEO - Video Tutorial |
Having a good description of the process with pictures is very helpful, but actually seeing it being done is very helpful. This is a very complete copture on video of the entire procedure |
|
This is a link to a great set of additional fonts for the Neo along with instructions for installing them. There is also a link to download a Font Editor (MAC only) |
|
|
This is a command line tool that gives you many of the capabilities of Neo Manager on a Mac or using Linux. More details and discussion HERE. Works a treat! |
|
|
This is a detailed set of instructions, with pictures, for taking apart your Neo's case in order to dye it, something many folks like to do. It is also just a good take apart guide. More details and discussion HERE. From dutch_garvey at the Alphasmart forum linked above. |
|
|
Sometimes keys come loose and need replacement. Here is where you can get replacements. It looks like they do the keys just fine, as reported by someone on the forum, but if you follow the breadcrumb trail back they offer Nro parts that clearly are not intended for the Neo (like a 500 Gb hard drive). Lol |