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Paper is the real 'killer app'

bbc.com

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Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#221

Post by no_wizard »

I still use paper to model application modes or write quick snippets of code when I'm stuck on something in particular, like a function. There seems to be some (to me at least) benefit to taking my mind away from the screen and doing the same task on paper that allows me to have some breakthroughs.

I will say however, since I got an iPad Pro, I been using an App called Notebook by Zoho

https://www.zoho.com/notebook/

I have to say, it simulates the paper experience enough with the pencil that I seem to get the same benefit. I really enjoy it and I can still sync my notes across devices and it supports simple text edits checklists inserting photos and links and other cool things. I have to say its pretty darn good and I seem to get the same focus experience using this as I do when I use actual paper.

Maybe its the fact that when you are writing like this its the slowdown effect?

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#222

Post by foldr »

eddd wrote: post #92
foldr wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>due to the replication problem and accessibility the information on it is not durable (at least not as durable as s3) Paper records can last for hundreds of years without the support of any expensive infrastructure. I wouldn't bet on things that are stored on s3 being available hundreds of years from now.

I think it is called a positive selection bias. Some of paper lasted for hundreds of years. How much of information didn't survive during that time period? Information on s3 might not last for hundreds of years, but AFAIK the Voyager satellite didn't ship the information about our specie on paper.

>Some of paper lasted for hundreds of years. How much of information didn't survive during that time period?

But we're just dealing with simple physical facts about paper here. All you need is a safe place to store it. S3 doesn't run without constant and costly maintenance.

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#225

Post by archagon »

no_wizard wrote: post #221

I still use paper to model application modes or write quick snippets of code when I'm stuck on something in particular, like a function. There seems to be some (to me at least) benefit to taking my mind away from the screen and doing the same task on paper that allows me to have some breakthroughs. I will say however, since I got an iPad Pro, I been using an App called Notebook by Zoho https://www.zoho.com/notebook/…

I use an app called GoodNotes for the exact same reason[1], except in an even more analog way: no typed text, checklists, or anything else — just writing and sketching. Bonus: pristine PDF notebooks (covers and all) in my Dropbox once I'm done with my work!

[1]: http://beta-blog.archagon.net/2016/08/30/on-the-wonders-of-d...

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#226

Post by jessedhillon »

agumonkey wrote: post #169
ThomPete wrote: post #131

I call this the tangibility factor. When I worked at MetaDesign back in the late nineties and early zeros we had something called RedBooks. RedBooks were most of the work we had done for a specific client printed out in tabloid size bound into a spiral back book and put on a large shelf system. We also had a matriculate digital folder system with projects, searchable and the same pages as PDF plus much more accessibl…

I thought about that a lot, since I grew up in love about computers and believed they would be the solution for everything; even books. But as many said, "digital" mostly made us realize they were other things than the "pure" content. I believe our brain just crave as much sensations as possible, and writing, flipping pages, seeing a device move[1], touching, watching, etc ... basically the task of dealing with the p…

I was trying to explain this to someone ~10 years younger than me the other day. I was telling them about how, when I was in high school (late 90s) I had a portable minidisc player/recorder. In so many ways, listening to music on that device was better than listening to it on Spotfiy + smartphone, even despite the obvious advantages.

Something about holding music in your hands, feeling a drive seek the next track, pressing physical buttons to control playback -- it all feels terrific, and I didn't realize until this conversation that there's a whole generation who hasn't experienced that.

BTW those minidisc players still go for $200-400 on ebay!

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#227

Post by digler999 »

KIFulgore wrote: post #124

I recently re-subscribed to a real-life, old-fashioned newspaper. I like the digital edition, but prefer the paper version. The resolution is amazing and you can't beat the loading times, and I never run into browser incompatibility issues. There are still too many ads, but they don't pop up and dance.

I tried it, but I found you have to manually run the garbage collector and the quick load times are due to local caching on low-density biodegradable WORM media cartridges. The transport protocol is only simplex and the packet transit time (can't even call it a ping time because it's simplex) is atrocious (there is a send() function but nonce tokens require in-app purchases).

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#228

Post by rshm »

criddell wrote: post #63
mrob wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Favorite pen: Lamy Safari fountain pen with EF nib, and Noodler's Black ink. I've been using this for many years and it's always reliable. The grip is comfortable and the construction feels solid (it's survived being dropped a few times with no real damage). It's reasonably priced and meant as a practical tool, not a fashion statement like some fountain pens. And Noodler's Black ink is waterproof and will write on th…

I have a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. It's a nice pen but I don't use it for a few reasons. First, the ink evaporates very quickly. Secondly, the ink is always uniformly dark. I like that I can vary the heaviness of lines by varying the force I use as I write. Third, they are messier.

I have the same pen. I prefer dark and rich lines, as long as it dries immediately and does not bleed.

One thing i do with all fountain pens are to resurface the nibs using dremel or grinding on any fine surface. Basically a hit and trial to get fine calligraphy like quality, writing after that is more consistent and in control.

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#229

Post by nomel »

throwaway26960 wrote: post #184

The advantage of paper is that you can be more creative and use slow thinking[1]. Just take a look at Newton's[2] or DaVinci's[3] notebooks, how would they think so freely on a computer? Sure for a work task list, a computer is fine, but I find a computer too limiting on my creativity for myself. Added bonus: no ads, bugs, or distractions. People that create apps create them to make money, not because they make you m…

For me, the benefit comes from two limitations:

- The slow and physical aspect allows you to think about and consider the idea, as you're writing it.

- The negative reinforcement, for that slow consideration, caused by from the permanence of your mistakes or a tired hand.

But, I don't think paper has to be involved. I see it as an indication of a lack of good stylus input in most devices.

I now use a large iPad Pro, with the stylus...err...Apple Pencil, and have no desire to go back to paper. Having the pages backed up to the cloud, being able to insert links and media when necessary, and being able to quickly switch colors, is all too valuable.

If good stylus input gets cheaper, I don't, personally, see a justification for paper.

Re: Paper is the real 'killer app'

#230

Post by bleair »

Paper has donwisdes (can get wet, takes longer to photocopy to give to others) but it wins because of how it works with my noise/lossy mind.

There are elements of a physical thing (location on page, rough location within notebook, did I end up skrunching additional ideas and notes on the side, etc.). These things aren't as exact as search/ctl-f but these extra associations help my ability to recall.

The other win with paper for me is that with a computer my brain keeps wanting to switch from writing mode to editing mode - as in "oh, that reads poorly, let me rewrite that, wait let me move this around". With paper, unless I actively choose to re-write an entire page or section my brain is less distracted (I'm easily distracted though - squirrel! :)

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