Digital Paper pad?

[Hook]

This is a really interesting concept, though right now I've no doubt it is vaporware. Thanks to part time Brighthander VRF over on the Flikr Alphasmart site for digging this up.

NoteSlate /// intuitively simple monochrome paper alike tablet device

It's basically a digital pen without having to buy the digital paper. If it is nothing more than a paper tablet replacement, it would still be interesting. With the right conversion and output possibilities, it could be a really unique tool. Really a fascinating idea, but I suspect they are still looking for backers.

Hope they get them.

[jigwashere]

Is it similar to Livescribe?

EDIT: No. No, it's not. Interesting.

[JRakes]

Hmmm... I could see myself using something like that! If it can save a digital "image" of the "page" for archive purposes, it would be great for some things. Probably would never completely replace an actual paper note pad for me, but could be useful for a lot of it!

[jigwashere]

Hmmm... I could see myself using something like that! If it can save a digital "image" of the "page" for archive purposes, it would be great for some things. Probably would never completely replace an actual paper note pad for me, but could be useful for a lot of it!

They have these newfangled gadgets called "scanners" that might work for you, Joe-boy!

[JRakes]

Yeah, well... If I'm already using a pad of paper, I can just as easily stick each full page into an archive file in a drawer instead of wasting the time to scan, then e-file it. Then still disposing of the paper... If my running daily notes were in electronic form to start with, then could be automagically e-filed, however...

And no, keeping my running notes on a laptop or handheld device is simply not workable. I'm not gonna lug a laptop around with me every minute of every day, and there's simply not enough space on a handheld size device to be useful for me, not to mention the horrendous means of making the notes (input.)

The fact is, there's still no good substitute for a good old-fashioned notepad and pen for some things. This type of device, however, has potential - A simple, basic, full-size notepad, but without the unecessary complexity and added cost of most of the current tablet type devices. Something like this device for, say, $50 thin enough to fit in a file folder could be rather useful!

I work in an active, extremely dynamic environment - Quick scribbling of notes on the fly are an absolute necessity. I'm not talking about the types of notes one makes while sitting still, in deep thought, outlining a project or such, but the minute-to-minute tracking of dozens of different things occurring simultaneously. Some things I need to note for future follow-up and further work, some things are very temporary reminders for a quick action, after which they're meaningless. Hence I still go through a lot of Post-It notes and such, and always have my note pad at hand.

[jigwashere]

Good points, Joe. I think it'd be nice to be able to jot a quick note, then just as quickly send it off to a couple of people for follow-up. Obviously, if the note were just text, you could use email or SMS, but if you wanted to include a quick sketch of something, this would be a great way to accomplish that. It looks like the price might be in the $100 range.

[questionfear]

My colleague Dan over at Gear Diary reviewed the Boogie Board, which looks like a similar concept and is only $40 at Brookstone....

[Hook]

My colleague Dan over at Gear Diary reviewed the Boogie Board, which looks like a similar concept and is only $40 at Brookstone....

It looks more limited than the noteslate, noting that promising great things is easy when it doesn't exist.

That lefty problem is interesting.

[JRakes]

Good points, Joe. I think it'd be nice to be able to jot a quick note, then just as quickly send it off to a couple of people for follow-up. Obviously, if the note were just text, you could use email or SMS, but if you wanted to include a quick sketch of something, this would be a great way to accomplish that. It looks like the price might be in the $100 range.

I don't even care to be able to send my notes anywhere - I'm just talking about my own notepad. Simple. No muss, no fuss. That's why I'm not particularly interested in some of the higher-end, more complex devices. I just don't need the "fluff" and I'm too cheap to pay for it if I don't need it.

My colleague Dan over at Gear Diary reviewed the Boogie Board, which looks like a similar concept and is only $40 at Brookstone....

That looks pretty much like what I have in mind, with a significant exception: I need to be able to keep things for records / future reference. If I could dump a full page into some sort of archive for later retrieval, then erase the page for a clean one, that would be the ticket. Think of it as removing the top page of a notepad and moving on to the next. The full page then gets filed for future reference. My current paper system could very easily be done electronically. Unfortunately, it seems most devices, for my use, suffer from the techno-trap of being too much and, hence, overly complicated for a very basic, simple task. And pricier.

Still, though, I see a lot of potential with these things!

I'm curious: If the Boogie Board has no off switch, is there at least some sort of "screen lock" to prevent the notes from being obliterated by extraneous touches or swipes? If I, say, stack it with some other files or something and go trotting off to a meeting, will I find a big black splotch where my notes had been?

[jigwashere]

I just don't need the "fluff" and I'm too cheap to pay for it if I don't need it.

Cheap = smart. It's sometimes hard to tell the difference.