Scarlet Umbrella|Adventures in Mobile Technology

I am going to let you in on a deep dark secret: I still use a paper agenda. I know it’s shocking. I’m a self-professed tablet freak and typical technophile. However, I still need my paper agenda.

I have tried to get rid of a paper agenda several times. Among the tools in my mobile arsenal have been the Palm Tungsten E, the HP Jornada 728, and several web-based applications.

I love the ease of electronic todo lists but until inking tasks becomes as nontrivial as jotting down a note in a paper agenda, I really am tied to an paper agenda. I currently use a Franklin Covey agenda with the Simplicity planning pages.

I like the Simplicity planning pages because they do not have specific blocked off appointment times. I very rarely have appointments so appointment pages were always a waste of paper for me.

While Franklin Covey makes nice templates, they can get expensive. for the true paper agenda aficionado, the first stop in setting up a planner should be diyplanner.com. I currently use several templates from the classic kit and the DIY/GTD Teacher Kit
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franklin covey, hp jornada 728, lifehacks, luddite, palm tungsten e, productivity, technophile

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Life changes. Once I had finally gotten the hang of grad school, it was time to leave and join the real world. As with any major change, my tech needs changed as well. I decided to take inventory and research the necessary changes to restore my efficiency.

As a grad student, my Panasonic CF-R3 was my mobile nerve center. I carried it with me every day to and from lab. Like most large universities, free wifi was available everywhere. I flirted with other technologies, but my laptop was really all that I needed.

I am currently an adjunct professor and professional tutor. I use my R3 to prepare lectures, worksheets, and maintain my gradebook. I have a home office but I work in a variety of different places some of which have internet access but most don’t. Since email is my lifeline, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of access to my email. I now need a smart phone and a plan that would potentially allow me to connect my laptop to my phone.

As part of the relaunch of Scarlet Umbrella, I am going to begin with a series of posts concentrating on my current mobile lifestyle. Yes, it is somewhat egotistical but since I always like to learn about how the big tech guys use technology and software to improve their lives, I figure I may as well share how one of the little people uses mobile tech. Planned topics include paper technology, my panasonic CF-R3, my Asus EEE, my gear bag, and my current quest for the perfect smart phone and phone plan. Welcome back to Scarlet Umbrella!

Asus, asus eee, computers, franklin covey, mobile, mobile lifestyle, nerve center, panasonic, r3, smart phone, technology

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