This is the first of my low-tech solutions in a high tech life. Expect to see more.
I like to visit 43folders.com which is about personal productivity, life hacks, and simple ways to make your life a little better. One of those simple ways to make your life better is to use a bound notebook for, guess what, taking notes! I'm not talking about a spiral bound notebook, but a hard bound book with ruled pages and a ribbon for marking your loaction that I always considered useful for personal dairies or journals. However, they are idea for taking notes. I was an avid notetaker in college and need to get back in that habit.
Notebook computers can be cumbersome even though they continue to shrink in size and those that are handhelds are difficult to type on. Laptops are not that easy to use on your lap and can get downright hot. In addition, batteries die and there is not always an outlet where you need it one.
I have been using multiple legal pads for taking notes which has not been a good practice because notes get misplaced and pages tear off easily. The hardbound notebook protects the pages and keeps everything together in one compact place. Many people praise the Moleskine brand of notebooks which are very nice, however, the large format (5.25x8.25 in.) that I like retails for $15 each. The Black n' Red brand cost $5.99 at Staples. I date and title the meeting notes and to do lists. I plan on writing the date I started using the book on the outside edge and putting it on my bookshelf when it is filled and replace it with another. This way I have a record of my notes to refer to that is not possible with legal pads.
For a calendar, reminder and address book I stil like using my old Palm Zire. Although it only has 2 MB of memory, a grayscale screen and no backlight, a battery charge last for two weeks..