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The thing about paper.....

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I worked as an Imaging Analyst for twelve years before moving over to the Business Analyst role.  I helped my company go from microfilm, to a 5 million image system, to a system that held over 80 million images. So, you could say, I am a great believer in the electronic document.

I have utilized eReaders since the very first palm phone.  I rarely purchase a new book that isn't electronic.  I truly enjoy reading on my Touch via Kindle or Stanza.  I love being able to change the backlight and the font when my eyes tire before my mind does.

Yet, as a Business Analyst, I consume at least two reams of paper (1,000) sheets a month.  Why? Because is there is still no better method to edit a document than to print it out, find a quiet spot, and, pen in hand, read the document aloud.  I do my best to conserve paper.  I print all my items front and back.  Several of us read and mark up the same document and, when I am done with the corrections, the paper goes straight into the recycle bin.  

I do use Microsoft Word's proofing options with short documents. We pass the documents back and forth electronically with comments, and suggested changes.  But when it comes time to publish that 150 page requirements document, I print it, grab a diet coke, a red pen, and go find a quiet spot to read the paper copy aloud.

I believe there is still a technological component missing which is keeping even the most devout of the paperless following from being able to go truly paperless.  I haven't gotten to play with the iPad yet.  I have hopes for the new tablets which are coming out.  I've heard rumors of electronic paper being developed.  So maybe what I need to go truly paperless won't be too far away.  Let me know if you've already found it.

Comments

Submitted by Denise Clements June 03, 2010 - 8:49 PM

O.k. If we just want to throw a gadget at the issue....this one might be a contender: http://mashable.com/2010/06/03/kno-tablet/

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Submitted by Daniel O'Leary June 03, 2010 - 10:41 PM

I feel your pain Denise! We recently had to drag our team and our resellers into Google docs, so that we could collaborate with our global teams. Email was impossible for the task. My secret tip, get a LARGE (22inch+) monitor, and turn it vertically. Having dual monitors, 1 situated vertically like paper, makes editing much easier. I also prefer to proof outloud, drives my wife crazy, but works great.

EDIT- Denise, you inspired me to write about how I use dual monitors. Thanks for the great article. http://aiimcommunities.org/e20/blog/e20-usability-secret-hint-its-black-and-22-inches-long

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This post and comment(s) reflect the personal perspectives of community members, and not necessarily those of their employers or of AIIM International