Comments on: GTD Mastery 100: Call for Help

By: Rice Blogger

Rice Blogger — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:43:43 +0000

there is both pros and cons …but I will always prefer paperless

By: Kyle W

Kyle W — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:54:52 +0000

I agree and try to avoid a paper based system all together especially for college students. I know that I spend a lot of my time researching things online and a lot of my tasks and assignments are done on the computer so I think it kind of takes you out of the rhythm and throws in an unnecessary step in your process. I think a paper filing system though is more of a judgment call where you can use it more for Reference or Project Support Material. Most students don’t deal with memos and the amount of paper in a business world so I feel it would be a waste of time to create a filing system when there are online alternatives that can be accessed from any computer such as Remember the Milk, Sandy, or Vitalist. I personally use Remember the Milk for my filing system and a reference system for old assignments I’d like to keep (papers, homework, financial statements, etc). I can see the advantages of a paper system with labels in making you want to do something however I usually don’t do my work at one defined location it is spread out over a variety of places so it does not make sense because I’d have to file things multiple times. Putting things online in RTM makes it easy becuase I can use Jott, the Gmail plugin, or even a cell phone.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 07:00:36 +0000

I have a PTouch labeler. It cost $50 or so. The label refills are $20 a pop. It’s a little annoying when they run out of labels without warning.

Another option I’ve been using is buying Avery label templates for file folders ($20 for 750 labels) and printing 30 or so at a time. I keep a Word file going until it’s full enough to print out. Works fine, and allows me to play with the font a little bit more.

My work generates a lot of paper, so I have a few file cabinets. I also carry around file boxes for my mobile office. You can start small and bump up the size as you need.

By: paulette

paulette — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:41:17 +0000

In my opinion, it doesnt matter whether its a hard or soft copy,. It depends upon your usage.There are pros and cons of both filing system.

By: Tracey Carter

Tracey Carter — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:50:44 +0000

I use a filebox, one with 13 sections, which greatly limits the amount of paper I can keep. Although, to be fair, I am quite the fan of magazine clippings and have a binder full of them as well, however, they don’t take up much room and as I try ideas or fully utilize an article or photo, I discard it.

I think with any system, paper or electronic, the key to keeping it under control is to continually cull it. Talk with a tax professional and find out what financial records you should keep for your protection. Talk to your adviser and find out what papers or journals might be useful in the future. For any records or papers that I can access online, I discard the paper, including course materials.

I use paper but I only keep what is immediately useful or what brings me joy. (I’m still reticent to trust everything to electronic sources, especially in an unstable economy with the rising cost of electricity.)

By: Chris Y.

Chris Y. — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:45:18 +0000

I’ve been tempted with a paperless system before and the ScanSnap could make that a reality. Thanks for the great read.

How about everyone who is using paper still? I know you’re out there.

By: Marina @ Sufficient Thrust

Marina @ Sufficient Thrust — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:19:44 +0000

My advice is to avoid a paper-based system entirely. Paper requires physical space; you can’t search it; you have to lug it around if you move (or just rearrange the furniture); and a leak/fire/pizza sauce destroys it forever.

See this post on 43 Folders, which made me giddy:

http://www.43folders.com/2007/11/06/palimpsest-guide-mostly-paperless-life