I use cheap notebooks • Hacker News Board

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#81

Post by smm11 » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:09 PM UTC

My to-do list is a sticky note stuck backwards to another one (double-thick), with tasks written carefully and crossed out upon completion. The trick, for me, is to have them all X'd out before the note and text disintegrates in my pocket.

I sometimes carry-over tasks, but die a bit each time.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#82

Post by alexjplant » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:11 PM UTC

cyrialize wrote: post #62

m0llusk wrote: post #15

I thought this would be about laptops. The laptops I use for work and personal stuff cost around $100 and are effectively disposable. They are not great for intense use, but the vast majority of tasks go just fine. And when developing any serious slowdown shows up right away so my work ends up being usable on low end hardware with janky connections. When one of these laptops got stolen recently I just got another one…

My main laptop used to be a Thinkpad T530 from 2012 that I bought used off of eBay. I ran Linux. I never worried about it at all. There's holes in the keyboard and through the laptop to deal with liquid spills. The case was a nice hard plastic with enough flex to prevent breaking. Honestly, if I dropped it on the floor - I'd check the floor first for any damage. Taking it apart was straightforward, albeit a bit frust…

I've had Thinkpads for the last 20 years of my life. I presently have an M1 Air for music production and a used T480 - great combo. I've found the MacBook to be fairly durable in spite of all the horror stories that I've heard over the years about cracked screens and so forth, so my plan is to buy an M3 Pro when they come out and throw Asahi on my M1. Unfortunately new Thinkpads just aren't what they used to be given the compelling value prop of Apple silicon but I'll happily continue buying used ones for $150 a pop.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#83

Post by jasonpeacock » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:20 PM UTC

LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

A similar approach I've heard (but never brave enough to do) is when you get a new car, intentionally scratch the paint yourself.

Then you won't be as concerned about the inevitable dings and scratches it will accumulate.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#84

Post by jschveibinz » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:21 PM UTC

LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

I use this brand as well. I really like the paper. And I’ll throw in an endorsement for the Pilot G2 pen, too. I like the 0.7 the best.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#85

Post by allenu » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:21 PM UTC

aynyc wrote: post #77

Just wondering, do people write on both sides of the paper? I don't, not because I don't want to, but because of ink bleeds (I know, I should get better pen and paper). I personally use a stack of printer paper, then punch 3 holes and put them in binders. That way, I can save the ones I want, recycle stuff that I don't want.

I write on both sides. I used to not for fear of ink bleed, or seeing the other side. Ink doesn't really bleed through and what I can see on the other side is faint, so it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

I use Leuchtturm notebooks and I really like how the paper feels under a fountain pen (nothing fancy, just a Lamy Safari). I don't think I can use cheap notebooks now since I can tell right away that the paper doesn't feel as good when I write.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#86

Post by cjohnson318 » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:22 PM UTC

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #67

A tip not just for notebooks but for anything (e.g. electrical appliances) if you're buying them for the first time: Buy them cheap. If you use them until they're used up (in the case of notebooks) or broken (in the case of electrical tools), buy a more expensive / higher quality one. If not, you didn't waste too much money on it.

I think you can buy cheap and get by if quality is not a goal. I buy expensive art materials because I have used cheap materials and I can really, really tell a difference in the quality. I buy mid-grade Ryobi instead of Dewalt tools because I'm not great at carpentry and the extra value of Dewalt tools is never going to show up in my work in that area.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#87

Post by cjohnson318 » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:23 PM UTC

butz wrote: post #69

I miss netbooks. They were small, underpowered, and somehow really neat.

I love notebooks until I have to find something in them.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#88

Post by twobitshifter » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:23 PM UTC

I use an iPad mini with a paperlike screen protector. Tap on the screen with the pencil and you can start writing. Notes are taggable with a # and searchable.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#89

Post by vel0city » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:25 PM UTC

LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

> Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own.

Its like the people with cabinets full of fine china that nobody eats off of for 50 years. My mother was one of those people. Growing up we had a large cabinet of fine place sets that we were always "saving" for some other time. I finally convinced her to start using it one holiday season, and we were actually using and enjoying it for the last few years of her life.

I'm strongly in the camp that there's no point in having nice things if you never actually use those things.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#90

Post by LaffertyDev » Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 4:25 PM UTC

jschveibinz wrote: post #84

LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

I use this brand as well. I really like the paper. And I’ll throw in an endorsement for the Pilot G2 pen, too. I like the 0.7 the best.

For me personally, I like having the caps on pens. Clicky ones tend to stay clicked and dry out the point. I really like the 0.38 uni-ball signo dx :)

I never thought I was the type of person to have strong feelings on a pen... then I decided to see what I was missing out on and there's just so much out there!