Capturing Devices
Page created on: 28 April 2006, updated 10 August 2009

Pocket capturing device
One of the most important productivity aids is some form of capturing device to hold on to information and free the mind for other thoughts. Trying to remember bits of information which can easily be stored elsewhere is not the most efficient way to use the mind. It is said that the brain can only hold on to about seven items at any time. Storing data will quickly use up mental RAM.
The best capturing device is still the humble note pad, together with a pen or pencil, small enough to fit into a pocket, easy to retrieve, and quick to use. here you will find inspiration for some capturing devices which will make their use more pleasant, add some other useful features, and may even reduce waste. And can there be a more fun way to spend a rainy afternoon than with paper, scissors and glue?
This is not a set of instructions, just lots of inspiration, though you can glean a fair amount of how-to from the photos.
Pocket Jotter
Click thumbnails to enlarge, click popup to close
A8 leather-bound jotter with loop/wood closure
Pages of jotter
Jotter in use
An unobtrusive jotter for my back pocket
Another leather jotter, for a teenage girl
This one uses a Bulldog clip to hold the paper
Alternative hipster - paper mock-up with Bulldog clip
Alternative jotter - paper mock-up, and pico jotter
Alternative jotter - paper mock-up with binder clip
Some clip ideas for jotter
Pico - Go-Anywhere Mini Jotter
Click thumbnails to enlarge, click popup to close
Pico jotter being made
Sawn-off Birdie and pico jotter
On necklace - for dressy occasions
Another pico idea, paper mock-up
Paper mock-up, closed with paper pencil
More pico/pen ideas
Mock-up using binder clip to close flap
Desktop Jotter With Pencil Holder
Click thumbnails to enlarge, click popup to close
Corrugated card spacer and card outer
Edge covered with card
Bulldog clips retain pencil
Pencils and Pens
Click thumbnails to enlarge, click popup to close
Pencils, holders, erasers and pens
Old mini mechanical pencil
Empty ballpoint cartridge and paper pencil
OK, I got carried away
External Links
pocketmod.com
pocketmod, letter/A4 size paper folded into small pocket organiser.
Downloadable print sheets - calendars, reference material, games, note pages and more
DIY planner - ideas and templates
wynia.org
how to minimise food waste and organise your shopping and menu list
Reference Material for Jotter or File:
temperature conversion (pdf)
calendars to print (US version, week starting So)
cooking oven temperature conversions
tammycravit.com post-it portable workspace (from Internet Archive)
Some Inspiration From Flickr:
index of all hipsters on flickr
jotters made from swing clip folder
custom made mini clipboard and ring binder
Pens and Pencils
Pilot Birdie mini mechanical pencil, UK source
cultpens.com
another UK source of Birdie
cultpens.com
2mm pencil leads - cheapest source I found