Merlins Tower

Notetaking and Organization - How I got sucked in.

Posted on August 29th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, GTD, Hack, Journaling, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Search Engine, Tutorial, working.

You can read and read many different blogs and forums and there are many different ways to take notes and organize yourself.

I have read them - in fact many of the blogs are in RSS reader and I take a peak at them when I have a few moments of time. - I don’t know why but I enjoy learning new hints and tips to help me organize myself better.

A few years back I discovered writing in small journals and notebooks. I started out writing in Steno Pads that we had at work. These are great for taking quick notes and organizing myself for the day when ever I would receive a phone call or work on a issue - In the notebook it went - I was going through quite a few notebooks as you can guess. I then would take the info that was relative to an issue and the rewrite it into my permanent notebook (This is after I gave up using a PDA - Great for searching out data but hard to input and harder to always sync and keep the battery fresh. Basically a pain in the rear end.) My permanent notebook was a journal I picked up the local bookstore in Downtown Pittsburgh near my bus stop. I loved the small size and the quad ruled paper that it had it in. This was my first Miquelrius Journal. I actually first saw this at the computer help desk where I saw one of the techs using one while on the phone easily looking up past issues and their resolution she made organization look so easy. I asked her about it and this I believe was the down fall of me purchasing notebooks and pens. She showed me a few of the ways she organized it and followed her lead. She always numbered each page. (Which I also read on quite a few blogs) She used alot of sticky notes to lead her to the correct area of her notebook to help her solve one of her cases. She was always faster then trying to find the info in the database that was given to them to try and do what she was doing in her notebook.

It was hard for me to start writing in the notebook journal as it was so pristine and I guess I felt intimidated looking at all those blank pages staring back at me. To make my process of writing in the journal one step closer was to number all the pages - Well not all but in the bottom right hand corner I would number ever other page. 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 11 ……….

Then I would draw and comment on the inside flap what I was using this journal for. (I read this somewhere and it really does help get over the new notebook jitters) I now no longer had a pristine journal but a personalized organization system. (Ok Ok the start of one)

The next step was to keep a hard copy of all the number I had in my cell phone. Since I was no longer syncing my pda or carrying it with me I needed a way to have all my numbers with me where I could find them. So, What I did was to divide my notebook up into smaller sections. First Section was for Business - Second section was for Personal Notes - and Third was General Info. The Phone number went into the third section. I took and wrote out all my phone numbers and that was the start of my notebook. After I finished writing out all my numbers I then took several high liters and highlited the names of the people I just wrote down. Pink was Personal - Blue was Business - Yellow was the important numbers. This little step helped me look over the list of over 300 numbers and spot the frequently called numbers that much easier.

Next I did a step similar to my friends - I made an index section - I marked about 10 pages in the back of the notebook to just be cross reference data / Index of what I wrote. Say I wote in my personal section all the birthdays of all my friends and family - something I don’t use on a daily basis - I wrote it down in the index - Birthdays and Anniversaries - p105 - List of Past Christmas Presents - p157 (Whew no more embarrassing buying the same gift 2 years in a row)

This was the basic startup of how I started the analog way. This did take me some time getting used to writing in my notebook and once I got used to finding the data. I believe I was faster and more organized as I didn’t mind jotting a quick note down in my journal. But turning on the PDA removing the stylus getting to the right program - creating a new note - naming it and then finally being able to use graffiti to jot the note down. Since it was that much easier I was writing and documenting more instead of trying to remember it all. I didn’t always jot the notes down into the index so I would do a weekly round up that out remembered from one of the organization meetings I got to go to. I would go through my notes and it I thought it was worth noting I wrote it down in the index and noted the page. This also allowed me to cross reference some of the info. So, if I ran out of room on a page and needed to write more I would just make a note of the page I had additional info on and highlight it. I believe this is what started me reading more about organization and note taking. I wanted to be better at it then I was. And I am pretty sure that is the same reason you read so far in this long winded entry. In the next few days I will write about my modified Cornell Note Taking system. So be sure to stop back and comment here and let me know some of the tips you are using. Or if you think you might have a better way to do something I wrote about Please let me know I love to learn some more tricks and hacks. I know these hint and hacks really did work for me  - I still use this daily in my own business working on websites and in my computer services. My clients are amazed that I am so low tech with my fountain pen and little black journal.
Thanks for Reading.
Digital Alan - Merlins Tower

Technorati Tags: analog, note taking, notebooks, journal, journals, journalling, organization, fountain pen, fountain, pen, quad, ruled, quad ruled, GTD, PDA

2 comments.

Miquelrius Journal - How to use for Organization

Posted on August 18th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: GTD, Hack, Journaling, Miquelrius, Moleskine.

First - Sorry I have been quite busy lately - Working on a couple of new web sites for several clients, and working on a clients crashed hard drive and and and and just didn’t have enough time in the day to organize myself enough to write a few blog entries.

So, It looks like I need to take a few notes from Isahrai.com and get myself organized. Yes, I am trying but when all hell breaks loose…. Out goes my organization. ;-)

She talks about her organization scheme and what she uses. ([_] Re Read Isahrai’s Blog on Organization)  The Basis of her scheme is that she had quite a few notebooks to track her life and now she is using my favorite journal the Miquelrius 4×6 graph lined journal. She talks about how the Miquelrius that is perfect for her. That they are cheaper then Moleskines (And if you read - doesn’t have as many issues with production - Read the Google Groups Articles) She also mentions that they are the perfect size in both interior and exterior dimensions. The pages are thick enough that her Zebra Sarasa .7 doesn’t bleed through and the binding last the entire duration of the 200 page abuse. Her article then goes into great detail about her organization scheme. Her use of Check Boxes, Her Weekly Round up and how she even marks up the pages.  This really is an informative guide to help get organized.

Several of the hints and tips I have seen and used myself like on the to-do lists that she actually use the top down for work tasks and the bottom up for personal tasks.

She did give  a few Ideas that I didn’t think about - like using paper clips  to allow easy access to her “Week Page” - One for her Daily Page - and the other two for other purposes in her all-in-one Miquelrius journal.

She even uses index cards - One in the front for her grocery/shopping lists - Ideas for her blog and other publications - Her “Let It Go or Non - Nice Things Card” where she writes the things she wishes to say but never does. “Great Idea” And she also has a wish card for her dreams.

Her article goes on that she does have a journal just for her journaling but that is only taken out for coffee or the beach. (Boy I want a beach near by that is not a man made lake) :-(

I would like to welcome her to the cult umm movement  about using the Miquelrius Journals. Welcome - But I am learning quite a bit from her.

Here is the link to her Blog Entry - Isahrai on Organization with the Miquelrius Journal

Technorati Tags: Miquelrius, Moleskine, Journal, Organization, GTD, Index Card, Notetaking

1 comment.

Levenger 3 x 5 Docking Station Card Holder

Posted on July 25th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: GTD, Gadgets, Journaling, Leather, Uncategorized.

I just had to give a little review of this nice product from Levenger.

I just purchased a 3×5 Docking Station - I bought the Tan Version (They also have Terra Cotta Color as well - the black is all sold out) -I call this my Hipster Docking Station.

I now keep this to the right of my keyboard and is ready for me to take some notes while working on the PC. It really is at the perfect angle for writing with a fountain pen and really has a nice leather surface to write on and underneath is a leather holder for more cards (Possibly to fit maybe 10-15 cards Blank or Otherwise). The whole unit is covered with leather is tightly stretched and wrapped. This really gives it a nice quality feel and is nice to look at as well.

First the shipping - The Docking Station even came wrapped in a nice soft cloth and came in a really nice levenger box which I will put both to good use.

The really nice thing about this is the price - It is currently on sale at Levenger for only $9.95 and only a few dollars more for shipping.

So, if you want to add a little class to your desktop with something that is functional as well and is pretty inexpensive here you go - The Hipster Docking Cradle err station and no batteries required.

It received the Merlin’s Seal of Approval.

Tags: analog, DEAL, DESKTOP, elegant, Gadget, GTD, Indexcard, Levenger, Leather, Notecard, Organization, paper

0 comments.

Noodler Ink: Eternal Bullet-Proof Hunter Green Fountain Pen Ink

Posted on July 24th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, GTD, Journaling.

I have been Using Noodler’s Inks for about 1 Year to 1 1/2 Years now. I primarily have been using the Noodler’s Black Ink (This is The Original Bullet-Proof Ink from Noodler’s) - I will not go into details here but - I really like this ink. But a time has come that I was getting bored with just writing with this rich black ink. It lacked personality. So, I started looking at some other colors. I really liked the fact that this is is fraud proof and everlasting. This is how I stumbled upon the Bullet Proof Hunter Green. Honestly I didn’t purchase this ink. My brother did for his new pen - But I just had to take a sample of this and try it out myself.

Below you will see my horrible handwriting, and
The Noodler’s Hunter Green! (click image to view Larger View)

I did all the normal test of this ink: Water, Bleach, Peroxide, Alcohol.
5 Min in each one with Water Bath between and I I suspected the ink didn’t fade, run, or disappear. The Index Card I used started to show more wear then the ink did. I also tried this on some old checks I had and the check fell apart but the ink stayed on the paper.

Yes, this is extreme -But I like knowing that if a check I was sending to someone would not get erased and used to wipe out my bank account.

This ink really is a nice rich looking green - I stated using some to write in my journal with and on the cream colored paper it showed up really nice and had a nice look. Now, I have to purchase some for myself.

The only disappointing part of this ink is that it is only available in 1 oz bottles from noodler’s where as the black is available in 3 oz. Plus the purchase price of this is $13.50 From Swisher Pens and the Black is only $9.75 for a 3 oz VS 1 oz of Green.

I did notice that like the other Noodler’s Ink I have used this ink doesn’t feather much if at all and when writing on paper it didn’t bleed thru. Only a few dots where I left the pen down too long.

Conclusion: If you are looking for a quality ink that will last and last on paper. Be it for Fraud Proofing yourself or just wanting to make sure the words you write in your journal will not fade away over time. The Eternal Bullet-Proof Hunters Green Ink is for you. With it Dark Green Color what ever you write will be admired even if your handwriting is a lot like mine.

Tags: analog, Fountain, fountain pen, Pen, Fraud, Security, Ink, Bullet-Proof, Eternal

3 comments.

The Digital Secretary

Posted on July 22nd, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, GTD, Gadgets, Hack, working.

You may be wondering “The Digital Secretary” hmmm is he off his rocker?

Well - Some people my say yes - But that is not the case here. :-)

What I am talking about is the new version of Dragon Naturally Speaking 9.0 Just released this week. Looks like my search for a secretary is now over as I can now easily write my emails and blogs easier using this software.

Want some more info: Check out the NYTimes Article “Like Having a Secretary in your PC“

Some Highlights:

98.9 Percent Accuracy right out of the box without any training.
…… - That is 11 Words out of 1000 Words
99.4 Percent Accuracy after Reading the Training Script.
…… - That is Only Six errors on the page.

The Program Gets Smarter as you use it and use it to correct the errors. So Over Time the Accuracy Improves.

The Basic Version is around $100 Dollars
Available in several different versions (Legal, Medical and Professional)

The $900 Professional Version allows complete control over your PC.

Upgrade from Version 8 - Very few Differences

Tried Dictation Software in the past? Version 9 is a stronger argument then ever that for anyone who can’t or doesn’t like to type dictation software is ready for prime time - the state of this art has attained Nearly “Star Trek” polish.

Tags: Dictation, Software, Secretary, Hands Free, Microphone, Computer, Control, Speak, Digital

0 comments.

3M Sortable Index Cards - Info and Free Sample

Posted on July 1st, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Freeware, GTD, Hack.

 I just picked up a stack of these cards at the store and they are pretty nice and useful. I love the fact that these cards have self stick ability (Post It Style) so for jobs I am working on I can just stick these to my white board and re organize my thoughts for the website I am creating. I don't believe these would be for everyone but if you check out 3M's Site - they are offering a free sample of these. Here is the info on from 3M's Site (Free Offer on Right Hand Column) about these cards:

Simple, yet powerful, these cards let you think in a dynamic, visual way that creates connections and possibilities.

They stick to vertical surfaces, not each other, so they’re just as easy to organize in your hand as they are to display. These sortable cards also easily sort and shuffle, so you can organize them in your hand and on the go!

Use the handy headers to categorize information by topic, difficulty, priority or deadline. And with several sizes and colors to choose from, Sortable Cards make it more convenient than ever to organize your important thoughts, lists and tasks. 

Enjoy and if you are Celebrating the Fourth of July "Happy Independence Day" - Merlin

Tags: analog, Blog, DIYPlanner, GTD, Hacks, HipsterPDA, Indexcard, IndexCards, Notecard, Organization, Organizer, paper,

0 comments.

PDA - Back to Basics or Going from Digital to Analog

Posted on June 29th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, GTD, Hack, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Tutorial, Uncategorized, Web Service.

Look at all the interesting people going back to digital and what they are using. This past week The Boston Globe had an article entitled PDA Buffs go back to basics. The article is quite interesting and would recommend taking a look at it if you have a few moments to spare. The report that Mike Rohde (Certifiable Palm Fanatic) has gone analog. He was fed up with all the years of cracked screens, battery outages and many glitches that come from owning a PDA and went back to an old comfort zone. The PEN and PAPER. Mikes Blog shows his digital to analog ways and is documenting it. His system is called the “Analog Task Management System” or Notebook Here is a link to his resource. Which I have been reading for quite sometime as it really is a good information resource.
The Boston Globe article is 2 pages and list a few good resources that I have mentioned before and a few I will look at in more depth. They mention the PocketMod (as seen in the photo above). They also mention Merlin Mann (one of the creators of the Hipster PDA and creator of 43 Folders.com ) And Douglas Johnston of DIYPlanner.com. All Great Resources if you plan on going from Digital to Analog - or if you are already doing analog and have a few hints to provide or want to pick up a few interesting helpful hints.

Tags: analog, Blog, DIYPlanner, GTD, Hacks, HipsterPDA, Indexcard, IndexCards, Lifehack, Moleskine, notebook, Notecard, Online Reference, Organization, Organizer, paper, Reference

0 comments.

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