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Start with pen and paper

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Re: Start with pen and paper

#41

Post by chriszhang »

Daub wrote: post #14

The article does not explain what the value of pen and paper has over a digital note pad. It just declares it has one. However, I can sympathize. I teach drawing and design. Of course, most of my students were raised on digital media. For some, their first experience drawing was digital! I have a lot of trouble explaining to them the value of pencil and paper. In “Personal Dynamic Media.” (1977) Kay, Alan and Goldber…

> Free from distractions

I agree. Digital device with connectivity to the Internet is full of distractions. If you mean a digital notepad with no Internet access, then yes, that can be a solution too.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#42

Post by lstodd »

wrp wrote: post #21
Jtsummers wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://smile.amazon.com/Nu-Board-Size-USA-NAA4N4US08/dp/B07... I don’t have one, or a good spot for one in my home office. But for a few years I’ve used the notebook linked above.

I know people who are really happy with these, using the Staedtler correctable pens. I prefer a regular pad of paper, but it seems some people are made more comfortable working things out on an erasable medium.

A stack of paper and a 0.5mm HB pencil is the the best of both worlds.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#43

Post by messo »

njacobs5074 wrote: post #37
kissgyorgy wrote: post #23

This is the hole point why they created reMarkable, to basically disconnect you from the constant interruptions from today's world. You can read about this on their blog: https://blog.remarkable.com/ I got reMarkable 2 and it really works! Now I'm even making notes when I'm in front of my computer, it's way better feeling than typing.

Looked interesting until it said that I needed to use Chrome + a browser plugin. Not keen on switching browsers.

I think this is for the "read later"-functionality only. Also, it's a hackable device with SSH access as an official feature.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#44

Post by noir_lord »

hanche wrote: post #36
kissgyorgy wrote: post #23

This is the hole point why they created reMarkable, to basically disconnect you from the constant interruptions from today's world. You can read about this on their blog: https://blog.remarkable.com/ I got reMarkable 2 and it really works! Now I'm even making notes when I'm in front of my computer, it's way better feeling than typing.

I got the reMarkable 2 also, and I love it. There is one aspect of paper it does not really replicate well, though, and that is the ability to spread half a dozen sheets of paper in front of you for quick reference while you're working on your notes. Swiping between pages is too disruptive, not to mention jumping back and forth between notebooks.

How is the latency between interacting with pen/screen.

I'm so tempted by these devices but that is my main concern, does it truly feel like pen on paper?

Re: Start with pen and paper

#45

Post by ButWhatFor »

roland35 wrote: post #39

I used to worry that pen/paper wasn't the perfect note taking system because it lacks the searchability of digital notes - but over time I have realized that the primary purpose of notes for me isn't long term but short term. Writing something down, like the author states, helps me focus and accomplish the task at hand, and the more I worry about the long term value of the notes the less I take notes because I am wor…

I also find that handwriting notes forces a kind of “hear or read, digest quickly, rephrase in a short hand way the keep points so I can pay attention to the next thing I am hearing or reading”

That forced summarization I think does a lot for the brain. I find handwritten notes are almost not needed after the notes are written... your brain already put the summarized information in your head because you had to work with it to pick what was important.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#46

Post by bayindirh »

chriszhang wrote: post #41
Daub wrote: post #14

The article does not explain what the value of pen and paper has over a digital note pad. It just declares it has one. However, I can sympathize. I teach drawing and design. Of course, most of my students were raised on digital media. For some, their first experience drawing was digital! I have a lot of trouble explaining to them the value of pencil and paper. In “Personal Dynamic Media.” (1977) Kay, Alan and Goldber…

> Free from distractions I agree. Digital device with connectivity to the Internet is full of distractions. If you mean a digital notepad with no Internet access, then yes, that can be a solution too.

> If you mean a digital notepad with no Internet access, then yes, that can be a solution too.

Nothing beats the feeling of a real pen and paper for me. The texture of the paper and the feedback of the pen changes the experience a lot for me. Even if I've grown with computers and wanted my profession since forever, nothing beats paper (incl. e-paper/e-ink) when it comes to writing.

Working with an analog medium completely changes the mode my brain works too. I can concentrate much deeper and can think much more broadly. I love reading from e-readers but, for writing there's no substitute.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#47

Post by bayindirh »

d--b wrote: post #32

Pen and paper is a skill though. My handwriting is terrible, and things get terribly messy very quickly.

Just continue writing. Get a good (preferably fountain) pen a good notebook and work slowly. You won't believe how your writing will improve over time.

I had the worst writing in the class. Now, some people tell that I have hand-fonts.

Mindful writing also teaches you to focus deeply, so it's a bonus too.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#48

Post by lvncelot »

noir_lord wrote: post #44
hanche wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got the reMarkable 2 also, and I love it. There is one aspect of paper it does not really replicate well, though, and that is the ability to spread half a dozen sheets of paper in front of you for quick reference while you're working on your notes. Swiping between pages is too disruptive, not to mention jumping back and forth between notebooks.

How is the latency between interacting with pen/screen. I'm so tempted by these devices but that is my main concern, does it truly feel like pen on paper?

It is barely to not at all noticeable. They also have a matte surface that makes the pen feel and sound like it's actually scratching on paper.

Re: Start with pen and paper

#49

Post by bonoboTP »

Daub wrote: post #14

The article does not explain what the value of pen and paper has over a digital note pad. It just declares it has one. However, I can sympathize. I teach drawing and design. Of course, most of my students were raised on digital media. For some, their first experience drawing was digital! I have a lot of trouble explaining to them the value of pencil and paper. In “Personal Dynamic Media.” (1977) Kay, Alan and Goldber…

> The article does not explain what the value of pen and paper has over a digital note pad. It just declares it has one.

Would some handwavy explanation be better? Sometimes all we have is an observation and it can be valuable to share and discuss it without immediately making up some explanation.

Yes, perhaps it has to do with tactile feedback, immediacy, not having to brace for annoying notifications and nagging of digital devices (new message, new update available, extra information filling up the screen, having to "buffer" what's behind windows in a "mental stack").

But who knows, this is speculation, we don't understand the brain well enough to say why precisely this is how it is.

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