Do you prefer writing on paper or a keyboard?

HP Mini-Note 2133

I love writing period. Most of the time, I prefer typing out notes, thoughts, agendas, meeting minutes, etc. on my HP MiniNote 2133 (from HP's Small Business store - a real notebook with 2GB of RAM, 120GB HD, and Vista Business - not the new ones that don't even contain a real operating system) in Microsoft OneNote 2007. I love that program because it allows me to edit easily, and I can move things around in ways that most word processors don't allow. The best part is it that it is organized like a notebook rather than a file system with several files to open. I can easily search for things I have written in the past, and it will search in the tab I am in, the section, or the entire notebook. I even transfer documents into my OneNote to make sure I can find things easily later. I love using it when I am looking things up on the web to use the screenclipping feature or to print the whole page into my notebook and then add notes.

However, I'm also a spaz. Sometimes I want markers and construction paper to make colorful lists that catch my attention and keep me on track. Other times I jot things on my phone using the "transcriber" where it can translate my handwriting into text, or I'll use the T9 which is similar to texting on a standard cell phone keypad. I like using my WIndows Mobile 6.1 Samsung Omnia to keep track of my calendar, write e-mail, write notes, write quick blog posts, and occasionally take minutes in a meeting when I didn't bring my MiniNote. Not bringing my MiniNote is rare since it fits in my purse and it has a perfect keyboard for my hands. I also like using LiveWriter for blogging, since it doesn't require an internet connection and I just like the application feel.

I am an absolute computer-holic. I love writing with a pen, but I love being able to have some easy way of locating my scribblings again after writing them. The danger for me in writing things down on paper is, 1) I may not have correctly gauged how important what I have written was at the time and did not write it in a safe place, 2) I use lots of post-it notes, and if you are anything like me, they get lost or stuck to people who stop by and hitch-hike off with my visitors, or 3) I was in a hurry and can no longer read my hand-writing.

My solutions to the above-mentioned issues work well for me. First, I have a little gadget that allows me to hand-write what I want and it sends it to the computer. It is called Digital Scribe. Look into it and it might solve an issue for you. Or - if you have a better solution, I am always open to new ideas where writing and computers are combined. Next, when I need a post-it note and I'm in front of my computer, I hit Windows Key + N and it brings up what OneNote calls a "SideNote". It's a small note window that stays on top of my screen until I close it and files it in my "Unfiled" notebook until I have time to do something with it, but if I need it, it is easy to find. The handwriting issue is easily resolved by typing mostly everything, but if not, the computer uses OCR, and I don't remember what that stands for, but basically, it deciphers my handwriting very well. I use my Digital Scribe, which is a pen that transmits what I write to a little USB receiver that I clip on the page that I'm writing on. I can either keep what I've written as handwriting on my computer, or it will use the OCR to convert it to text. I usually prefer the latter unless I'm drawing.

Another thing that I just came across and bought thanks to my favorite blog, PopGadget, makes typing in the dark a little easier. I saw this and, being the gadget-lover that I am, couldn't pass up. Last week, I was sitting in my living room typing, and I was straining to see certain keys since it was dark, when my mother turned the light on behind me. I didn't really want the light on since I sometimes enjoy the serenity that darkness brings, but in this instance, I had to admit that it was necessary. Only days later, I came across the Mr. Brightside Keyboard Light. Basically, it is a little USB light that plugs into one of your laptop (or keyboard, if it has one) USB ports and casts some LED light across your keys. It doesn't cast a lot of light, in fact, I'm not sure how helpful it would be on a larger laptop than my MiniNote, but it does a good job of what I need it for. In the blog, it even suggested using two of them - one on each side of your keyboard - to get the amount of light that you need. I ended up buying the three pack that they have on sale right now for $20. Ultimately, I hope that my next laptop has an option of light-up keys that can be switched on or off (for power conservation).

Overall, I just like writing. I love my paper notebooks. I love my digital notebooks. I love e-mail, blogs, text messages, instant messages, Plinky, and just about everything related to writing that the web has to offer.