Comments on: 7 Reasons To Ditch Your PDA And Switch To Pen And Paper

By: LouieV

LouieV — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:13:58 +0000

I am on the computer all day already, so from that stand-point I agree, taking a break away from the PC is good.

While having indexing for notes sounds like a cleaver, efficient, and space saving idea for smaller things like a to-do list, I find that paper is easier to use for things that just need to be done ASAP. Once you’re done, you can finally throw it out and get it off your table. In fact, I am trying to get out of the habit of being a pack rat… and it seems that storing things digitally is only feeding to the transition of a physical-to-virtual pack rat.

Apps on mobile devices or even web enabled apps such as Google Tasks is a bit too much for quick to do lists. However, programs like EverNote helps with documenting and web-clipping help to create a consolidated way to refer back to information you wish to save and do follow up research on. Web-Clipped info stored to EverNote gives me a history of what I’ve came across and hopefully learned. The info is accessible everywhere, easily – in digital format of course.

So in essence, IMO, digital copy is good if you need to refer back to it… NOT everything is worth keeping. As with any system, it’s only as good as your use of it.

- LouieV

By: Becoming Minimalist

Becoming Minimalist — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:51:36 +0000

I don’t know dude, I’ve lost too many pieces of paper in my life. I prefer to keep it digital if at all possible.

By: Danny B

Danny B — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:37:02 +0000

I’ve just found this blog and really like it!

I have been using PDAs for years and although I am reluctant, I have returned to pen and paper. I have gone through three Palms in the last four years (lost one, two were dropped) and I cannot stand it anymore. With the last one I had, I bought a bunch of software that is now useless and I am tired of wasting the money! If anyone has any tips on the pen and paper approach, I would be ever so thankful!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:41:38 +0000

I completely agree – I love the paper and pen. It’s so much more free, less restrictive. If something is important, you can circle, make notes, draw stars, highlight. It’s easy to write bigger and smaller. It’s a visual way of prioritizing and organizing, and the physical feeling of crossing something off my daily to-do list is kind of empowering! It makes me want to move on to the next task.

By: Tiger Pens Blog

Tiger Pens Blog — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:09:58 +0000

By: Journaling Arts

Journaling Arts — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:09:25 +0000

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:06:01 +0000

Excellent review! There is so much to be said for going back to the basics. It is a pleasure to have a notebook to refer to instead of another computer device staring back at me. If you have ever tried taking notes on a PDA, you know what I mean. I never have to worry about it crashing or failing to start up. And believe it or not, it is faster and easier to organize.

But the real beauty of a pen and paper is the ability to be creative quickly. All you need is a pencil or pen and your can get your ideas on paper with words or images in an instant. While smartphones may be here to stay, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution and are not conducive to the creative process.

Long live pencil and paper!

By: Office Supply Geek

Office Supply Geek — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:28:18 +0000

By: Russ

Russ — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:02:57 +0000

I agree with Mark Harrison. Whilst I am a Mac chap and very much on the tech side, my degree is in ICT and I specialized in productivity software (GTD and other type software solutions to you and me). I have been so overwhelmed lately with the amount of projects, commitments and exciting things I’m involved in that my iPhone/Mac screens could not cope!

I loved using my clipboard to get down ideas but the larger Filofax is rather good for both the notes and the organization of notes. I still rely on the computer and iPhone for calendar and address book duties but my Filofax is very much a project center.

All I need to do is learn to read my writing!

By: Lorrie

Lorrie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:50:09 +0000

It really does come down to what kind of notes you need to take, where you get them from and what kind of an environment you do your work in. It would be silly to say one thing is best for everything. Unfortunately I thought I could put everything in one place and I wont admit just how very much time I wasted last year searching and testing many different programs and services.

I am just recently converted back to paper for most of my plans and it is such a relief. Also incorporating white boards and chalk boards into my daily routine has been heaven. But there is some tech, gems I know I wont ever give up now that I’ve found them and could never translate to paper. I just want to know why I the hell I had to go through so much waste and frustration to get here!