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Nifty quote from the high-tech world

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Nifty quote from the high-tech world

#1

Nifty quote from the high-tech world

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA, gettin' soggy

>The San Francisco Chronicle today has an article on tools people use for organizing their lives, and the "hook" quote is from either Merlin Mann, a tech consultant in the SF Bay Area (what the boldface quote says), or Erik Sherman, a tech book author in Massachusetts (what the article says): "Using a PDA is like setting up a big table saw to do joinery work when it would be faster to use a handsaw."

The former's PDA is 3x5 cards held together with a binder clip; the latter's is a (paper) notebook.

Re: Nifty quote from the high-tech world

#2

Nice!...:^)

Scott Burr in really rainy Ben Lomond,CA

>

Re: Nifty quote from the high-tech world

#3

Not applicable to everyone

Derek

>I use a PDA every day. I do not require every feature, but I do use several every day. I used to use a pocket address book, but that was not nearly enough. I graduated to notebook computers, which I used for a number of years. Now I only need to carry the PDA and it is quite valuable to me. I do not "jump on" the new-technology bandwagon but do evaluate new technology to determine if it will improve my life. To each his own.

You know, the Egyptians and the ancient Chinese did not use steel in tools. They did quite impressive work! Maybe we should do the same? :>)

No offense taken or intended here - just offering my experiences.

Re: Nifty quote from the high-tech world

#4

Re: Nifty quote from the high-tech world

Greg Sloop, Portland Oregon

>Those 3X5 note-cards can't beep to remind you when you have an appointment coming up in, say, 30 minutes. My Treo can.

Those 3X5 note-cards can't dial your number on my cell phone. My Treo IS a cell-phone and a Palm based organizer. (And futher they can't dial your alternate number in two key-presses when your first doesn't answer.)

I can't easily search my 3X5 note-cards - literally thousands of them, to see if "plumber" or "kites" appears in any of the addresses, notes or appointements - in seconds.

Same goes for names. I often can't remember the last name or company of some person I met. Just search on the first name. In seconds, I can find the last name and company too - and dial their phone number immediately. (When I look up, say, Home Depot, I actually put in all the numbers for the Borg's in the region. Next time I need one, but not the local one, I just bring the others up in the notes for the main Borg entry...)

Having the entire PDR (physicians desk reference) or other reference manual is a LOT smaller on my PDA too! (If you've ever held a PDR, you'll know what I mean!)

However, when you drop your 3X5 note-cards, they don't crack and destroy that very expensive TFT, requiring an expensive repair bill. (Sad, that...)

But, having the organizer actually works for me. I was NEVER able to successfully use any paper based method. I'm getting better, so perhaps I could now - ~10 years later. But without the palm, I'd be lost.

There's a host of things they really do well, and that make my life a lot easier.

They can't make a disorganized person an organized one, but they can help a bit.

Cheers,

Greg

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