>Someone mentioned how paper-based approaches, like Day Timers, are
>more reliable and accessible. This is certainly true for anyone who
>has to commute to work and doesn't have a desktop computer in every
>room.
At work there are desktop computers in every room all linked via ethernet.
Unforunately someone else is usually using them. :-) Even if I pull rank
and get accessI cause them to shift gears which, as discussed elsewhere in
this thread, is undesirable for them. And since, as a manager, everyone's
productivity (including my own) is my responsibility, I must acknowledge it
is undesirable for the group as well.
>
>However, my HP200 LX with a 10 megabyte flash disk (40-50 megabyte
>cards are common but still expensive) costs about $1000, operates on
>two AA (1.5v) batteries for several weeks, even with heavy use, and
>fits comfortably in my pocket. It can be used anytime, anywhere.
The yearly refill is $20 and requires no batteries. It doesn't fit in my
pocket but is bulk makes it less likely to be misplaced. But when it DOES,
everyone knows whose it is and its less likely that someone else might want
to keep it. It can also be used anytime anywhere.
Don't get me wrong, I love techno gear as much as anyone, but high tech
isn't always better. I was discussing the 'net and the Web with a decidedly
non-technical friend the other day. Her argument was "I don't want to
browse anything sitting at a desk. I want to lay on the sofa with a catalog
or magazine or paperback scrunched in my fist." I described heads-up
displays the size of reading galsses and the Library of Congress on a
credit card. She said "Cool, let me know when that's ready. Until then I'll
stick to printed stuff."
The next day she called and asked if I could find some herbal medicine info
on "that Web thing." I was online at the time so I did a few searches while
we were on the phone. She was suitably impressed and now wants to try it out.
I guess the point of that digression is "the right tool for the job." And
right has as much to do with the user as the job.
For me, the way I work and what I need to do, the paper based planner is
the right tool. YMMV
-John
_______________________________________
John P. Satta
work email: mailto:jsatta@imtech.com
home email: mailto:satta@cpatch.com