Do you still write?

I know it sounds strange, but how many of you actually still write? Or keep a little notepad or book?
I have an iPhone, and the ability to dictate, export my memos to transcripts, and even sit here and type my emails and notes yet I still have a little notebook that I carry around and set a to do list, note down important information, maybe I havnt gotten into the habbit of picking up my phone, maybe I just prefer the tactile feeling that writing gives.

Ok so maybe it’s because I was in the habbit of it before, Maybe I was in the habbit of actually picking up a pen and paper and writing. True my hand would get sore after a while and I’d have to stop. Something I don’t tend to get with a keyboard, but even then, there was something nice about the cold steel nib of a pen against some thick linen paper.

But when it comes to reading what I have written, it’s the computer everytime. My handwriting is atroctious, no question, yet on a computer it’s neat, organised and clear. On paper, it could be filled with crossouts, blobs of tipex or faint little scribbles where the words have just secombed to that horrible thing called writers block.  Yet on a keyboard, and on a computer screen, Theres just no evidence of this at all. People have the chance to and the ability to clean up their text, choose a suitable font, and settle nicley on a look thats more visually appealing and functional than anything that could be handwritten.

Which brings me on to those funny little things called Kindles. They havn’t really taken off in the way I would have thought. Granted the cost of them is extortionate for what they are and it’s kind of prohibitive for that matter, but still ebook readers have been out for many years. I even rememebr my local staples selling them. But maybe theres something about holding paper and card than there is holding plastic.

I did an experiement once on an old palmtop I had for notekeeping. A monochrome screen and a big chunky design. It was the Philips Nino, and it was perfect for this. So I paid for and downloaded a copy of “War of the Worlds”. Given it’s a book that flows, and is very hard to put down. Yes it was easy to read, and wasnt nearly as much of a strain on my eyes as I thought I would be, but actually, I preferred flicking the pages of an old tomb. Yet when it came to school learning and university learning, I simply could not absorb the information from paper. I found it easier to absorb from a computer screen.

There’s so many things to consider here, but it’s worth looking at it yourselves. Could you permently switch to a digital device for your note taking and reading? Do you already? I know I’m trying, but I’d be interested to see what everyone else thinks….