Software that's enjoyable ... software that's a drudgery

Posted by Ken
Mar 2, 2015 at 01:33 AM

Hugh wrote:

>
>Paul Korm wrote:
>I couldn’t agree more. I enjoy my notebooks, my pens and pencils. I
>>enjoy notetaking on paper more than anywhere else. As much as I enjoy
>>CRIMPing and the software I’ve recommended in this thread and
>elsewhere,
>>I believe that much of what I evaluate about working with this or that
>>software is how close it comes to the same mental experience of writing
>>in a notebook.
>>
>>Ken wrote
>>>Sometimes a piece of paper is my best friend, as it does not share its
>>function with anything else, nor does stuff find its way onto the paper
>>without my writing it.
> >I agree. Before word processors, before even personal computers, I made
>my living writing or re-writing thousands of words a week, and I used
>well-sharpened pencils, A4 pads - and the third essential tool (apart
>from a constant supply of coffee) rubbers (sorry, erasers) on the ends
>of the pencils (because nobody’s perfect). My requirements of software
>now are similar to those I required of that kit then: that it does what
>it purports to be able to do, and its “user interface” is clear.
> >However, I have to say that with rare exceptions I gain greater
>satisfaction from ends rather than means. I can put up with quite a few
>minor failings and imperfections in the tools I use, as long as the
>objectives towards which I’m working promise to bring me enjoyment.

It is a bit ironic that you mention writing on pen and paper vs word processing as I absolutely hated writing reports with pen and paper. Having a word processor was very liberating for me, as I could easily change whatever I wrote, and this granted me a bit of freedom, as writing and organizing my thoughts never came easy. This is still true today, and having a task manager like Asana (or previously Ecco then Toodledo) is also needed for long term task management, but when swamped or needing to narrow down the list, paper always seems to come through. I suspect that it is because I do not have to wade through numerous items, or see all of the items outstanding, so perhaps it helps reduce the stress of feeling overwhelmed. Yes, I know that all of these programs can filter lists, but I still know there are tasks lurking beneath the filter, and at work, I also know that my screen has an open Outlook window, so new mail is lurking as well. I guess that paper is somewhat of a false security blanket, but it works in times of great stress.

—Ken