I don’t know if this is already discussed; I searched, but couldn’t find anything; but sometimes, for reasons that I am not quite sure of, typewriter scrolling is set as a default setting whenever I open a new file. I’m wondering why this is the case. If one can change the default setting to be off when opening a new file, I’d like to know. Otherwise it is kinda annoying. I use typewriter scrolling sometimes, but certainly not all the time; and certainly not when I begin my work.
It’s not the default for the main editors, but it is the default for Compose mode, since Compose mode is intended for focussing on writing rather than editing. To turn it off as the default setting, just turn it off in Compose mode, then in the Compose preferences click “Use current composition settings for new projects”. Typewriter scrolling is being overhauled for a future version to be more generally useful.
Initially I thought Typewriter scrolling quite unique, cute even for a product like Scrivener to have…eventually however it does feel a little gimmicky and childish though. Ironically, many kids and adolescents are growing up completely typewriter-free and have no real conception of what working on a typewriter is like. So I imagine for them, it must sound rather strange or foreign. For the most part I remember it being a horrendously painful, noisy experience that wasted a ton of non-recyclable (at the time) paper; it’s not something I want to remember. I know I’m probably speaking blasphemy to writing traditionalists out there (i.e Cormac McCarthy still writes on an Olivetti)…but I’m not so sure if it really is useful…
Instead of developing features that are nostalgic of how writing was done in the past, I think features should rather be developed to predict how writing will be in the future. Exemplars of this rationality include compose mode, document wrapping, outliner, scratchpad, the ability to compile into multiple formats, etc. I don’t think typewriter scrolling really belongs thus. If it does, it should be called something else, as ‘typewriting’ in reality is very different. You can’t press a backspace key to delete words, you can’t at the whim of a cursor or mouse scroll easily to any part of the document, you need physical ink, so on and so forth.
OMG, I hope we’re not engaging now into a debate about revamping every single option in Scrivener… 
The feature is already known as typewriter scrolling across a number of programs; it was not innovated by me. I disagree with almost everything you wrote regarding the feature. It saves you from having to stare at the bottom of the screen all the time while typing, which to me is a boon. The future implementation makes it much, more useful. If you don’t like it, just turn it off - I have already explained how.
Couldn’t agree with you more Keith. I’ve now written over half a million words into Scrivener and all with the scrolling on - nothing to do with nostalgia, of course, and everything to do with ergonomics, as intended. Generally off for dedicated editing sessions, but on for anything other than notes (or short blog posts).
yes I know I discussed this subject in the past. however, it was not about turning it off for good.
thanks for letting me know about how to turn it off. I’m glad there’s that option.
r6d2, Dr Dog and young Master Kevin. Messieurs,
Even I, the evil Le D, am perplexed by your cruel taunting of Scrivener’s enfant terrible, young yosimity. Surely you must see that yos’s outpourings are nothing more than the product of the mind of a congenital procrastinator, aggravated by chronic writer’s block.
Mes ami, cut the kid some slack …eh…non, oui?
Bonne Chance
[size=150]Le.D [/size]
I should also clarify that I don’t think typewriter scrolling should be a feature removed. I have grown to dislike using it and reverted back to normal scrolling generally, but I can see how it might have value. There are two ways to go about. If you’re gonna call it ‘typewriter scrolling’ or for that matter anything that has the word ‘typewriter’ in it then the delete key should be disabled (like a typewriter), the ability to scroll back should as well be disabled (like a typewriter), and the ability to edit should be disabled, at least when you are in that mode. That way, it truly is like a typewriter, and requires a fair amount of discipline to write under those circumstances the likes of which hardcore writers might gravitate to. The other way is to simply rename the feature to a title more appropriate. I don’t know what that’d be, but off the top of my head, “stationary scrolling”, “scribe mode” might be better.
And no, I do not want to start a full fledged discussion about this, as I have the ability to completely turn it off which is all I really wanted. I also hope, in future iterations of your product that the default is not that it’s on, but that it’s off.
This is a wish list, not a list of demands so I’m fine Keith if you disagree with all my opinions; all I ask is that you respect them, as you have done in the past.
haha, yeah that’s true. I really should get back to my uni work. Or maybe not…
y’all take it easy though…
I do, I just thought calling it “childish” was a bit harsh. 
Sorry mate. Perhaps it was childish to call typewriter scrolling childish…
Still, it feels gimmicky and depicts the typewriter in a much too favourable light. The reality of typewriting, as I am sure you know, was loud, painful, anxious (you couldn’t afford to make a mistake), smelled of ink and metal machinery, and very wasteful of paper.
This is very different from the feature you have setup in Scrivener.
I will say that while I do understand the benefits of typewriter scrolling in that it engages the reader to constantly be in a present state of mind (and refrain from looking back and trying to edit), to really give it justice, if you’re gonna include it, I think you should go all the way; a full fledged typewriter mode; that is, have a feature that blocks access to the delete key, and prevents the user from scrolling (optional of course). I’m no programmer, so I don’t know how hard this would be; but I do think it would make your product unique, and not gimmicky (at least with respect to typewriter scrolling). And that means more money for you Keith!
You obviously never used a typewriter with a backshift key. It was always possible to correct a typo by using that key and/or rolling up the platten and using tipex.
Those of us who can touch type are usually very accurate in your typing. Not because we didn’t have a backshift key or platten roller but because the typing teacher would hit our knuckles with a ruler if we dared to make a mistake.
I must say I love typewriter scrolling mode, I use it all the time. With regard to its name, there are so many other apps that use it, that Lit&Latte would confuse the hell out of its users (especially future ones) if it changes it into something else. I have never used a typewriter in my life, and yet that name for that feature does sound right to me. Regardless, I think typewrite scrolling is here to stay, given how many apps use it.
Stop! Stop! Please! You make me so nostalgic.