Path: csiph.com!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!individual.net!not-for-mail From: "Carlos E.R." Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,alt.usage.english Subject: Re: GNU Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:22:48 +0200 Lines: 108 Message-ID: References: <1rsoqz0.19zzbh71ebfb7bN%snipeco.2@gmail.com> <18a11176d0ed8bfb$1717$2710841$802601b3@news.usenetexpress.com> <1rsp93i.i0zwza16xvqdfN%nospam@de-ster.demon.nl> <18a11b491becb6ce$558$2491104$802601b3@news.usenetexpress.com> <1rsq78a.9hgxro1eczx2yN%nospam@de-ster.demon.nl> <10qb9df$1inu5$14@dont-email.me> <1rsr591.1ssq8oh1dihjwuN%nospam@de-ster.demon.nl> <10qc4dc$1silm$10@dont-email.me> <0cqjskp5oprp9v1utu6t3q8u0urkpnjbvs@4ax.com> <951q9mxo8p.ln2@Telcontar.valinor> <10qf25l$2tg1l$1@dont-email.me> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Trace: individual.net 8LqvDX1dwF7h1419sudCHw2TSMSGwRX6PJBwvXvv+QxFg4n0IO X-Orig-Path: Telcontar.valinor!not-for-mail Cancel-Lock: sha1:pHa3QzmZKwk8U4ifUbOkdEH3LsI= sha256:EwnMBSU4poTQNB9OerkInq1UmjseR8j7E0zSrqAJ/Gc= User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird Content-Language: es-ES, en-CA In-Reply-To: X-Leafnode-NNTP-Posting-Host: 127.0.0.1 Xref: csiph.com comp.os.linux.misc:84836 alt.usage.english:1141791 On 2026-03-31 07:35, Snidely wrote: > rbowman wrote on 3/30/2026 : >> On Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:49:06 -0700, Bobbie Sellers wrote: > >> >>>     Can but agree.  I grew up with the older style desk in all my >>> schools >>> and am grateful because I took lots of notes.  But curiously in the >>> 1940s there were no ballpoint pens or other modern writing tools so the >>> groove held a terrible old pen and the round hole, an inkwell. Pencils >>> were used to practice writing on lined paper that was rather fllimsy and >>> we practiced with pens and used fountain pens at home to write our final >>> drafts. >> >> I can't remember what we used but it wasn't the inkwells. At some >> point I had an inexpensive cartridge fountain pen. I cut costs further >> by using a syringe to refill the cartridges from my mother's bottle of >> ink. I vaguely recall the ones with an internal bladder and a lever on >> the side. I started with ball-pens, but then I discovered fountain pens and I liked them. >> >> My father brought home a BIC that he had found in a shipment from >> France where someone had mislaid it. I thought that was pretty neat. >> It wasn't too much later they hit the US market. > > I came to fountain pens long after ball points.  Well, I actually began > with Schaeffer cartridge pens, and then found a couple lever-bladder > pens tucked away in drawers.  When I was in college, there was a fad for > Rapidiographs. Rapidiographs? I never met that name. The brand name Rotring yes, and we applied that name to all brands. Ours worked only with "Indian ink" (here called Chinese ink). I'm surprised that they still sell them. We used them only for technical drawing, and that disappeared after computers and plotters. AI Overview +10 Rapidograph pens are high-precision technical drawing pens primarily manufactured by rOtring (and formerly Koh-I-Noor). They are designed for producing consistent, uniform line widths on paper, tracing paper, and vellum, making them essential for architects, engineers, and artists. Key Features of rOtring Rapidograph Unique Capillary Cartridge: The Rapidograph utilizes a cartridge system that includes a new ink helix and pressure equalization system with every refill. This design helps prevent clogs and ensures a clean, steady ink flow. Hardened Steel Tip: The pens feature a durable steel thin-line nib. Maintenance: They are designed to be largely maintenance-free due to the disposable capillary cartridge system. Ink Type: Uses specialized, fast-drying, water-resistant, and high-density black ink. Rapidograph vs. Isograph While both are rOtring technical pens, they differ in their filling mechanism: Rapidograph: Uses disposable cartridges (cleaner, easier maintenance). Isograph: Features a refillable ink reservoir for use with bottled ink (more versatile color range, requires cleaning). Uses Technical Drawing: Ideal for precise, constant-width lines in architectural and engineering drawings. Art: Excellent for fine-line illustration, cross-hatching, stippling, and ink-and-wash techniques. Writing: Available in very fine sizes, suitable for detailed writing. Nib Sizes Rapidographs come in a wide range of standard, color-coded nib sizes (line widths in mm), commonly including: 0.10, 0.13, 0.18, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.50, 0.70, 0.80, 1.00. Maintenance Tips Although designed to prevent clogs, proper care is required: Cleaning: Use specialized cleaner (e.g., Rapido-Eze) if the ink dries. Ink Flow: If a small drop appears, keep absorbent paper nearby, which is a common occurrence with technical pens. Storage: Always put the cap on firmly to prevent the nib from drying out. > > By the time I was in 3rd grade and beginning to use pens, PaperMate > click pens were readily available (and still cheap), and there were > PaperMate stick pens, but Lindy stick pens were much more common.  And > messy ... the ball tip tended to leak or break off. > > /dps > I remember PaperMate. -- Cheers, Carlos. ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;