h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

ive got two... a large linned one and a small plain one and i dont think id ever remeber half the things with out them... an abslute godsend!!!

I agree that they are useful. I'm just surprised that so many people
on the Net are singing their praises over a high-end designer notebook. I don't think even Day-Timers get this much press.

Dat what? what are they?

Day-Timers. A system of loose-leaf organizers used by businesspeople.
Sort of a paper version of Outlook.

Another alternative PIM (Personal Information Manager) for TM (Time Management) is the Franklin Planner, possibly more popular than the Day-Timer though both serve the same basic functions.
I've used both, and switched to a PDA (Personal Data Assistant). It was doing me no good to have everything written down, without an alarm to warn me when they were scheduled.

PS: I've written a play on my PDA, created playable games in the spreadsheet section, loaded it with a chess program, keep sound files, etc.; many things that planners are not suited for.
I do sometimes carry the paper planner if I believe the need for note-paper, Post-Its, or other paper related activities might come up. And their still great for taking reduced copies of important documents to meetings.
They are also a convenient place in which to carry business cards, packets of sweetener, emergency tea bags, wet-naps, etc.

how do you carry them? The beauty of the "Moleskine's" is its size, and can fit in a shirt pocket. Is a PDA too heavy do do that?

how do you carry them? The beauty of the "Moleskine" is its size, and can fit in a shirt pocket. Is a PDA too heavy do do that?

The Pocket PC-type PDAs are about half again as heavy as a Moleskine notebook, and the low-end Palm Zires are just slightly over the weight. This is expected to improve with time as battery efficiency improves making smaller batteries possible.

What does add to the bulk of the PDA is the protective cases with which they are often equipped. And if I were to drop a PDA and a Moleskine from shoulder height onto the sidewalk, I'm fairly confident about which one has a better chance of being picked up intact.

I THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR POST.

the cheapest pda I have seen in China is about 11 pounds, (18 US dollars. I am too shy to buy one in case it does not work back home. I say this because where I come from (Australia) a Moleskine is 9 pounds. Perhaps if cheap pda lasts about 2 Moleskine's worth I have bought a bargain. Also I will only need one instead of two or three Moleskines address book, diary, notes, travel journal etc... I have only seen one behind glass but it looks lighter than a Moleskine - or about half the weight of the Palm.

The problem I have with digital archiving is its slow retrieval time. I can access information much faster with a book. I carry a small dictionary with me now, rather than one of those electronic translators. I have used one and their size is much more preferable, but...

In your opinions do you think it is MERELY a case of my ability to use small peripherals is not up to speed, or do you think there will always be a place for the traditional items BECAUSE IN SOME CASES THEY ACTUALLY ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT???

iN TRUTH i GUESS IT IS A SUCK-IT-AND-SEE-SITUATION.

Hope to hear your replies!

-W

The PDA I use, the 16Mb Diamond Mako [aka Psion Revo+], is very lightweight and fits in my shirt pocket. It's too heavy to carry there comfortably; but, when I need my hands free, I can do it. It is slight upgrade from the model that DNA discusses writing one of his articles on in 'Salmon of Doubt'.

Because of the design, it is easy to type with, even while standing. The trick is to learn thumb-typing. I have written an entire two-act play on mine, only connecting to my computer for the regular back-ups, and occasional spell-check type editing.

My previous PDA was a 2Mb Sharp Zaurus ZR-5800, another great little machine for its size. I entered all of the Hitchhiker Guide Entries into a cross-linked folder on it. This is one of the advantages of PDAs. You can often embed files into appointments and to-do lists, and link one file to another.

I have dropped both, plenty of times, often onto hard surfaces. I have not yet had one get anything worse than a scratch. This is why I prefer the clam-shell design to the open-face Palm-style.

The Zaurus seemed much sturdier than the Mako, so I finally opted for a Palm-tec hard case. It increases bulk, but doesn't add much weight. It can take quite a jolt and still slips into briefcases and suitcases easily. I can still slip the whole thing into a trenchcoat pocket. If I should have to wear a suit, I just take the Mako in an inside pocket.

Like the Moleskin (actually, I already mentioned the systems I've used), once you get used to living with them, they're hard to give up.

There will always be a place for low-tech articles such as the Moleskines.

1. There are a lot of people who have problems with using Pocket PCs, palmtops and other electronic organizers. Part of it has to do with input methods; even using freehand it's a learning experience to input something into a PDA. Part has to do with technology's limits; in bright sunlight a PDA display's readability is variable, there's a question of battery life and there's always a question of the budget.

2. There are plenty of people who keep journals in freehand, or who find it easier to retain information because they've written some of it down on paper. Because this is the way they were trained when they were younger.

3. Electronic technology can always become obsolete, while other types can withstand the test of time.