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Does anyone else return to paper periodically
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Posted by Andy Brice
Nov 11, 2020 at 08:36 AM
Yes. I find paper useful for short term/transitory stuff: things I need to do that day, design of user interfaces etc. But I use my own Hyper Plan software for anything longer term. And I use an outliner (My Life Organized) for checklist for things I need to do regularly. I’m sure most people have multiple different components in their system. I can’t imagine there ever being a piece of software that could do it all.
Posted by Hugh
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:08 AM
I use a lot of paper, prompted by my belief (strengthened in recent years by published neurological research) that handwriting employs deeper modes of thinking than typing. I feel I need to use all the resources I have at my disposal!
I continue to keep a close eye on developments in using handwriting on tablets to input text into electronic media. But for the moment I remain wedded to paper. I have experimented with many combinations of implements and paper media (e.g. pencils, pencils with erasers on the end, fountain pens, ballpoints, erasable pens and wipe-clean pads, reporter’s pads and various other types of pad), but I keep returning to G2 Pilot roller-ball pens and yellow A4 “legal” pads, which I buy by the bucketful. I then scan the pages into my computer and make them searchable (in Evernote - which is not having a good press at the moment, but is satisfactory for this and some other purposes).
Posted by MadaboutDana
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:27 AM
I follow Ken/Dr Andus’s approach, occasionally using paper for rapid drafting of thought matrices or diagrams. I also use a small paper notepad if I want to jot down something while I’m out and about.
But I’ve found that an Apple Pencil (or even a finger) and Notability (macOS/iOS) are pretty good for doing this, or else Numbers (again, macOS/iOS) if I want a much bigger canvas to draw on. Numbers has the added advantage that you can insert mini-spreadsheets (or indeed any other kind of media file) wherever you want.
Posted by Christoph
Nov 11, 2020 at 12:51 PM
I’m using paper for scribbling, writing down phone notes and my current top to do’s for the day. Therefore I have always a piece of paper and a pencil on my desk. But everything that I want to be archvied and searchable is electronic. Also, nearly all communication happens electronically these days.
So in fact since many years I don’t really write longer pieces of text any more. And I noticed my hand writing deteriorated alarmingly - I cannot really write quickly and readably any more. And this is a vicious circle. The uglier my writing looks and the longer it takes me to write, the less I’m inclined to do it. Anybody struggling with the same problem? Is it possible to re-learn a nice handwriting without spending hours of writing?
Posted by jaslar
Nov 11, 2020 at 03:36 PM
My handwriting has indeed gotten worse, and I can type way faster than I can write. But I use some little pocket notebooks throughout the day, more as a kind of scratchpad—jot down a URL, or call back number, etc. I use the info within minutes, then never look at it again.
At the same time, I have taken to stashing electronic notes for things I no longer trust my memory to recall but know I’ll want again. The name of the owner of a restaurant, software tricks, etc. Combined (deteriorating handwriting and memory), this begins to look like an age-related issue!
But you might be interested in this: https://thepostmansknock.com/8-tips-improve-your-handwriting/. My daughter, who writes with calligraphic precision, is always practicing, so I suppose that means, like everything else, it takes time to get better.