Let me confess that I am not a Laptop carrying guy. I do not own or have a Personal Digital Assistant, a Smart Phone or a Blackberry. I don’t do text messaging.
My cell phone is a Nokia 6820 and even though it has web browsing and messaging capabilities, I still have to use them.
When I am on the move, going to a meeting, visiting a client or attending a seminar, my favorite note taking tool is a small spiral notebook.
The fact that I was born in the era when a black and white TV was a trophy might explain this.
Nevertheless before my upcoming trip to Austin for South by Southwest, I was wondering if I should upgrade by note taking.
If I want to travel lighter, is there a Smart Phone out there that would allow me to take notes, decent pictures, check my e-mail and write short blog posts?
Should I just get one of these very small Laptops?
The best way to know what works for me would be to try both before I buy. Like a courtship before getting engaged.
I am sure that some of you use any of these smart tools, what is your experience with them?
Maybe you make some of these Tech Tools or sell them, make your pitch but be honest!
Can using Tech Tools while listening to a presentation or taking part in a discussion be a distraction?
We might hear the notes rather than paying attention to the music.
Other South By Southwest pieces: Let me be your hired gun and Doing Good to Great things in Austin
Serge:
It sounds like I come from your generation. I have a razr phone only because my old cell phone broke. I have no intention of using it as more that just a phone. I do like the size, weight and big numbers it provides. I have used many PDAs over the years and I like gadgets and am computer literate (for the most part). I do take my laptop with me if I’m going to be gone a long time but for appointments and note taking I’ve gone back to the first system I used when I started my career – a Day Runner by Franklin Covey and I love it. It’s always with me has plenty of room for notes and now everything is all in one place – no e-syncing necessary – Just my $.02.
Trish