43 Folders

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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Hipster PDA: Why?

What is the advantage of the hPDA? I've looked through a great deal of sites that concern themselves with the hipster or variants thereof. Most of them deal with the construction of the hipster, and the physical advantages it offers. So what's the advantage of the hipster otherwise? I understand what to use it for, I just don't see a huge advantage over the cheaper prebound option of a memo book. You know, those tiny little spiral notebooks that cost a few cents? They fit in a front pocket better, and are already ruled vertically. They have a hole punched already, so if need be, any tear-outs can be consolidated. They can't be re-organized, but if that's the only advantage the hPDA offers over the memo book, is it really worth it? You pay the price in the danger of losing all your cards when you remove the clip. One bump on the train, and it's 52 pick-up time. I'm not trying to nay-say the hPDA, I truly want to know.

krackeman's picture

fade: It is all about the...

fade:

It is all about the sort/group features for me. Make piles, shuffle, regroup, lay em all out for the big picture.

Why don't I worry about 52 pick-up? Largely because I never ride a train! In my home office, I can sort and pile, etc.

I know others appreciate the ability to print custom cards (see www.DIYPlanner.com)

The biggest question for me, when it comes to systems and my life, is: does this system work with *my* life? If you spend time on a train and love memo books ... well, problem solved! If you are frustrated by memo books, time to look for an alternative. A lot of us get pretty passionate about our systems, but the only system that works for you is the system that *works* for *you*.

Just my $.02

 
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