01-24-2005, 07:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Turning Over A New "Leaf"?
"Jeremy Wagstaff has written a thought provoking article in the Wall Street Journal. [Paid subscription required] I completely agree with the author; modern PDA technology has seen a lot of innovations but it still lacks a certain something when it comes to seamless usability in our day-to-day lives. I have tried my level best to use the mobile technology to jot down the quick reminders and small to-do lists. But none of the gadgets, neither the thumbpad based BlackBerry, nor the touch screen based Pocket PC or more recently voice notes on my Smartphone, have compelled and convinced me that it is the alternative to paper and pen. And it is not the fault of these mobile gadgets and solutions, they are all functional and powerful, it is just that they lack a certain something. This statement made by Jeremy sums it up - "They're great for storing information, such as events, addresses and the like. But for capturing my thoughts -- from shopping lists to philosophies? Never." What are your thoughts? Will you be picking up the good old pen this weekend to jot down your thoughts?"
Kris Kumar has started a fascinating discussion over at Smartphone Thoughts about using PDAs or Smartphones to go paperless. I disagree with his (and the original author's) assertion -- in my opinion, habits are the primary difference-maker, and since we've all grown up with paper we're used to it, but I've found that with sufficient self-training I use my Pocket PC as the primary note-taker. In fact, I've found I don't even carry a pen in my bag anymore. 8O I'm much happier this way, as I haven't lost that piece of paper in a while. What about you? Take a look at the linked discussion and feel free to post there... or, if you like, feel free to post your thoughts here. (Somehow, we need to be able to have joint conversations on the Thoughts Media sites.  )
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01-24-2005, 07:35 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1
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Using a Pocket PC to replace paper.
I would have to say that i disagree as well.
For the past year and a half my pocket pc has helped me take notes in class. I use Phatnoes, with a tagrus wireless keyboard and I absolutely love it.
I have not lost a note since and they have stayed much more organized. Along with being able to keep my notes, others have noticed as well and when exam time roles around its pretty easy to make a quick buck or two.
With acess to the internet, an Adobe acrobat reader, the ability to upload my sylibus's, being able keep track of when to be in class, class projects, asignments, group members, ect. I would go as far to say that my PDA has redefinded what it means to be organized in my life.
On top of all this, I can play a game or two when things get boring.
Its too bad many don't know how much you can do with a PDA and a little creativity.
I hate paper, I don't carry paper or pencil's any more and I couldn't be happier.
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01-24-2005, 08:24 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17
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I have to agree with the authors and premise. I love the PDAs and what they can do but it is still far too cumbersome to use. There are a number of issues. One is the difficulty getting info in. The PDA is a two handed operation. It is difficult to be on the phone or busy with one hand and effectively enter a note into a PDA. The PDA has to be turned on, program launched possibly with additional clicks to start a memo. Yeah some can be streamlined but it is not as easy as picking up a pen and writing on a notepad. The best I can come up with is to assign a button to voice notes but this does not work when you cannot speak (your on the phone or in public places).
Handwriting recognition is not extremely effective, especially cursive which is needed for any effective speed benefits�
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01-24-2005, 08:28 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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After my recent stint of three iPaqs being sent back in a row all for the same reason I was seriously considering paper, but by no means a total switch. Now that I figured out what was causing the problem and I have an iPaq that functions to my specifications, I'm not leaning so heavily toward paper anymore but there's a terribly strong allure toward it, especially since I've found out about Moleskines.
On a side note, PhatPad has recently been upgraded to version 2.1.
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iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
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01-24-2005, 08:33 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 539
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while i do tend to take notes with my pda, i have to rely on pen and paper when it comes to jotting down notes for work.
webdesign, videoediting, well multimedia in general requires visual aids when thinking up concepts. i haven't found a program that does what i want.
besides ... i'd need a bigger screen to jot down my design ideas. a tablet-pc would have the necessary screen real estate, but i'd probably not carry it around with me all the time.
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01-24-2005, 08:45 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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If I'm sitting at my desk with my company-logo postits sitting next to me, I'll use pen and paper. Everywhere else (and I do mean everywhere else) I either use my Pocket PC or the voice recorder on my MPX 220.
I'm not a pen and paper person, and most of the pen and paper stuff on my desk is notes handed to me by other people.
Habit is the primary barrier to adopting the PPC or something similar as a note taking device. I completely agree with that. Think of it this way: How hard was it to start maintaining an address book on a digital device at the beginning? Somehow you adapt. Now it's a habit. I get a business card from someone, I enter the details into Outlook (on any of my Outlook-connected devices) and then toss the actual card in the wastebasket.
A few years ago we probably all had those huge card folders.
It's just a matter of changing habits.
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01-24-2005, 09:09 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 38
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I only use tiny post-its for short term notes (like remembering a phone number given to me on the fly until I can enter it into Outlook or my iPAQ), and then only when I am at my desk. For everything else, I use my iPAQ 4705.
I am a graduate student and I even use it for all lecture notes (along with a TO BT keyboard and mouse).
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01-24-2005, 09:59 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 5
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can't find the right software
i go back and forth between paper and pda. I would like to be all pda, but like others struggle to implement a good "system"
I did have some software that I used on my Palm that helped me take notes and organize a lot better. It was called Shadow Plan and was an awesome outlining program with a ton of flexibility.
I haven't been able to find something on my pocket pc that works as well.
Any thoughts?
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01-24-2005, 10:31 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 75
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I have been trying to change my habits from pen and paper to PPC for the last year or so. The limiting factors have always been speed and reliability for quick notes, and the small screen size. So far, the best solution has been PhatPad coupled with Calligrapher for quick notes, or recording the note using the voice recorder.
I also try to get into the discipline of entering data as it is provided to me, rather than procrastinating on the data entry. Once the habit is established, you begin to find the ways to use the PPC for all notes etc.. I think the greatest limitation right now is the small screen size for data entry, and the inability to convert voice to text. Once the data is in the system, my WM 2003 Phone Edition device is amazing!!
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iPhone GS 16 Gb
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01-24-2005, 11:31 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 880
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As mentioned it totally depends on the task at hand... for most things I can easily just do it on the pocketpc and the nice thing about it is that I can find it when I need it. I do not need to worry if I have that piece if paper with me. And... my organizer does not get physically larger... just because I am carrying more data.
Currently I have enough technical data on me that it would load down a mule...
However if the task is to map out a large project then it just becomes a problem of having enough screen real estate... I find my Toshiba e830 much better than my Hp2210 for this task... but it would not replace a 11 x 17 inch piece of paper...
I feel that people that make these remarks just have not fully embraced the technology... A dingy is great for motoring over to the next pier... but I would not use it to sail across the Atlantic... The problem with the PocketPC... I believe is that some people's expectations are more than the abilities of the PocketPC... so the questions beckons... is it the fault of the PPC... that it shows so much promise... afterall it seems to be able to handle almost every task thrown at it. Should we not praise all it "CAN" do opposed to what it does not do well...
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