It has been 4 weeks since I last jotted anything down in my paper diary. I have been trialling the supposedly advanced features of my smartphone (Nokia N900) which syncs my phone diary to my online account. The results are mixed.
I’m now very tempted to go back to paper. The perceived added benefits of having my diary on my person at all times, synchronised to the web in case I should lose anything, do not really outweigh the advantages of using a paper diary.
Both are portable, easily searchable and quick to add entries to. So why do I still not prefer the smaller, more technologically advanced version?
- I tend to lose entries for long term tasks in the scrolling diary pages of the phone
- Task/to-do lists get filled with “ideas” rather than real tasks
- I cannot take notes as effectively on the phone, as on paper I can quickly refer to a 3 week old note about a supplier, which is trickier to do on the phone
Digital diaries do have a saving grace, however, in the form of automated annual/monthly reminders. These can be useful to keep marketing campaigns on track among other things.
I think from now on I’ll be using a blend of paper and smartphone for notes, tasks, events with reminders and recurring events/tasks.
Do you have a preference or any tips you can offer?
Luke, I’ve struggled with these things for year: PDAs, smart phones and all the rest of it. Always ended back up with sheet of white paper and a pencil. Currently enjoying trying out a Things + Scrivener combination on my Mac and iPhone, which seems to working very well indeed.
It’s definitely important to separate out actual things you can do, though, and random thoughts, whichever system you end up with.
Hello Luke,
My opinion is that you’ve gotten used to using your paper calendar for much more than just a calendar. As you said, you jot notes and ideas down on your paper calendar. The problem is, when switch to a digital calendar, you then expect the digital calendar to perform these disparate functions.
My solution to this is to use separate programs for different functions. I use iCal for appointments, Toodledo for tasks, and Evernote for ideas. I haven’t used a paper agenda in over 10 years.
You might think, it sounds complicated, having to switch between different programs. And in the beginning it might take getting used to. But if you use these separate programs to their respective strengths, it will pay off. The first time you’re able to find, within seconds, all the appointments you’ve ever had with a contact going back months (and eventually years), including agenda, notes and exactly how long you met, you’ll be happy you’ve made the switch.
Stick with it! It will pay off.
Leo
Sounds like Leo’s on to something too and it all ends up in the same place when you read your post and look at what’s confusing you in your system at the minute: there’s a clear difference between tasks, meetings/appointments and notes (thoughts).
Learn to use one application for each thing and you’ll be fine.
Try using a different app for each thing on your phone, too, it sounds like you’re stuffing it all in the tasks app.
Thanks again, guys.
What it boils down to for me is ease of use, reliability and portability as a lower priority.
It’s true that I mix tasks and notes, but for me they end up being one and the same regularly. Appointments have always been distinct, but again the paper format wins out here too.
Some thoughts I had about going completely digital:
- How do you check/edit your schedule on a call?
- How can you take notes on a call?
- Reliability: battery life vs ink
I think the smartphone will probably end up as a backup diary (it is synced to a cloud diary, at least) for when I have no paper alternative around.
I use a plethora of apps on my phone, but they all seem to be portable replacements for the real thing. A good example of this would be the Twitter apps that are really no replacement for Tweetdeck or the website itself.
I’ve been back to paper for a few weeks now and it is just a relief. Clearer, more intuitive, more reliable. If anyone finds a neat digital solution that can rival it, I’m all ears. Until then, I’m going back to basics.
Update: I’m back to digital, and probably to stay.
Since the x120e netbook arrived in the Spring I’ve not used anything else to work on. It is powerful (dual core, 6 gb ram etc.) and lasts all day on the battery, also allowing me to work while standing or sitting anywhere I choose. I digress.
I now use a combination of Google Tasks, permanently open in canvas (full-screen) mode (https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas?pli=1) and also a Windows 7 infinite post-it note widget, permanently open for jotting, cutting and pasting.
I use Evernote occasionally for sketching out ideas, or Conboy on the phone, later to be saved to Evernote, but a well organised digital system is finally in place, and gone are all the messy notes of previous years.
Now my notes and tasks are searchable and well ordered. An improvement which outweighs my previous perceived advantages of paper.
And that, folks, is why I’m invited to all the best parties.