I'm a total subscriber to LowFi living when it comes to doing information work on the road and on the run. I'd long ago stopped carrying around my PDA for most jaunts around town in favor of a Hipster PDA-type organizer.
For a while I simply carried around a small Moleskin Notebook and a pen. My setup has since evolved to be extremely low-fi. I now carry around the Fischer Space Pen I got for Christmas a few years ago, a Nick(it) wallet I got for free in the goody bag from MAD Museum's Mad About Dance event, and a small stack of index cards.
[click above to see the annotated version on flickr]
Dimensions are 3 7/8" x 5 3/8". Here's the folded and closed view:
Problem is that I often take the pen out and throw it in a bag or something so I find myself on a subway train with an idea, but nothing to write with. Tina pointed to the Inka Pen, which looks perfect.
If I attach it to my keys, I'll never be without it. Sweetness.
UPDATE: There are a good deal of reviews on the Inka on Merlin's 43 Folders. Check them out before you buy. So far it's seeming to me that the Space Pen might still be better and that the Cross Ion might be a viable competitor -- fewer steps to open/use the Ion. Nice to have found some blogger reviews of the Inka before I went out and looked for it. I'll still play with it if I make it to the NYC location that carries it: Art Brown at 2 West 46th St.
Comments
08/30/06 @ 12:52
got to say it is amazing how similar what you have is to my setup
i have a space pen (they are great and the inks last forever)
i have a moleskin (but aint been drawing in enough)
i have a nokia 6600 (which i synch to my mac as my diary)
i have a whistle on my keys (which is very loud, great for parties and letting muggers no they aint welcome)
08/30/06 @ 13:08
The space pens *are* great.
I sometimes carry around the diminutive iMate Jam phone, but got rid of internet access on it, so it is usually left behind for the freebie Moto phone you see. No camera, no special features. I try to keep things simple as much as I can, but when I need the PIM stuff with me I use the JAM. It's only slightly bigger than the Moto phone. Way smaller than the Sidekick I used to carry.
08/30/06 @ 20:29
I liked your wallet so much, I immediately went out to try to find it on the web and purchase it - but it's nowhere to be found! Do you have any idea where one can buy the wallet you luckily got for free? The Nick(it) site doesn't even have a store....
08/30/06 @ 21:47
Sorry, I don't know anything about Nick(it) unfortunately. The wallet is ultra thin and very soft. I have something similar from Levenger, but the leather is stiff and thick, so I don't use it anymore. Might be able to soften something like that up though if you condition it.
You might want to check out what people have tagged hipsterpda on del.icio.us. Leather index card holders like the ones on Levenger and at office supply places are common wallet replacements.
08/31/06 @ 13:34
Levenger's International Pocket Briefcase is the other wallet I have.
The leather is stiff and the space is tight -- not loose enough for the number of cards or wad of cash I end up bringing some days. But it's perfect for minimalists who bring just a few index cards a little cash and a couple credit cards.
08/31/06 @ 15:09
I used to be like you, just less organised.
But then I got one of these bad boys!
Now im set! Its everything I could possibly need and its fantastic!
08/31/06 @ 15:13
I'm glad you're good to go with your gear, Adam. Me, I've had 3 Palms, an HP 4150, 2 Sidekicks and my iMate Jam. The Jam still functions when I need it and can put up with the bulk. The Jam is actually not bulky at all actually and I quite like it when I need the data with me, but I prefer paper and pen for occassional jotting and sketching when I'm out. And I really am not into carrying a huge pda phone in my pants anymore. I have to confess, that I just don't get it when I see guys with a huge PDA phones in one hand and Bluetooth borg piece in their ear. Just not for me.
09/01/06 @ 03:03
regarding Space Pen: I bought a Space Pen via Ebay and I am not that satisfied. The problem is, the ink is very "sticky". When beginning to write, the first few letters are not readable, because the ink does not flow that good.
Do you have this problem too? Or did I get a faulty ink cartridge?
Cheers,
Volker
09/01/06 @ 03:30
My set-up is almost identical, except that I recently sprang for the All-Ett wallet. Even thinner, it is made of spinnaker cloth, which rustles a bit but is just the job. I'm OK with the Space Pen, because I am trying to keep my key ring uncluttered too.
09/01/06 @ 07:57
Volker: Once in a while I *do* have that problem. Bigger problem for me is that it is medium point rather than fine. For index cards, I do prefer using fine point ink that flows easily. I normally use Uniball Vision Micro pens at my desk.
Jeremy: How does the ripstop fare on the All-Ett? Is it stiff enough? Is it big enough for 3x5 index cards?
09/01/06 @ 16:31
The Franklin Covey copy of the Levenger is available at Office Depot for 15 bucks. Kinda looks like the Nick(it).
http://board.43folders.com/showpost.php?p=4550&postcount=1
Also for smallish pens, I like the Pilot G-2 minis though it's hard to write more than short notes with them.
09/02/06 @ 16:08
Really enjoying this discussion.
I recently emptied my wallet, slimming down to license, ins card, business cards & 1 credit card. But I do carry a Treo 650, 3x5's and pen as well. This thread has inspired me to find a leather case for all but the phone.
I also wanted to mention how pleased I have been with the Zebra F-301 pens. I have them everywhere; love the black ink, fine lines and essentially indestructible design
Later,
aslan16
09/03/06 @ 12:35
Which All-Et? The "Billfold" at 5" tall looks a bit short to hold index cards, and the "Traveler Billfold" is a little wide at 4." If you have the smaller, how well does it work with index cards? If you have the larger, do you have trouble fitting it into the pocket of dress pants?
09/03/06 @ 17:04
KevinKleifelter: I haven't seen it up close, but the Traveler Billfold looks close the size of my Nick(it), which sort of pokes out of most back pockets a little, by the way. But as I said, I usually wear Cargoes so it's in my side pant leg pocket. Problem I have with the Nick(it) is that it's made out of ripstop nylon.
09/04/06 @ 00:36
I have not had the All-Ett long, but it seems to be holding up just fine. It holds my cards with ease. There is a slightly version for travelling that holds a passport. You may prefer that size as it has that passport pockets specifically.
Jeremy
09/04/06 @ 00:42
I bought both All-Etts, but I use the billfold daily. The Traveller is for traveling! Measuring, I see that what I call 3 x 5s are in fact 7.5 x 10.5 cms. That's what I get here in Italy. Genuine 3 x 5s whould stick out the top. The Traveller does fit in trouser pockets, no problem.
09/14/06 @ 09:43
I've used the All-ett wallet for years now and have always stuffed a few index cards into it.
True, they do stick out the top just a tiny bit, but I only use the notecards to jot notes they don't stay around for that long.
Another alternative is to use a slim stack of post-it notes. The beauty of the all-ett is how small and thinly it can turn a typical stack of credit cards, etc... The spinacker cloth softens after a short while and stops making that rustling sound.
12/26/07 @ 19:24
This setup is very similar to the one I have when I travel. I just have different colors ;)
Just wanted to say that I found this conversation and post extremly helpful! Keep up the great work :)