Smallest usable capturing device?

[starmie]

What are you using to capture ideas on the go? Everything seems either too big or too hard to use.

* Phones are painful to type on, including iPhone.
* Post-its are ok (I would prefer something even a bit smaller), but I haven't found any decent pens that fit the pocket - they're just too big and they fall out. I've probably lost a dozen of them already. I even tried the "space pen", but it was rather bad.

[JDMAvery]

Here is what I carry when the Note Taker Wallet is to much to carry!

I want to go really light:

Moleskine Volant note book plain (pages tear out) with Teenie-Winnie-Pen (thats what its called)
2.25 x 4 x 0.25 inches all up with weight nexted to nothing.

If I have a little more space I will use my Zebra Expandz pen - a lot nicer to write with than the teenie winnie pen.





Links you might find useful:

Moleskine Link:
http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/classic/volant/flexible_black_cover/set_of_2_volant_notebooks_plain__black__extra_smal l.php

Teenie Weenie Pen
http://www.daytimer.com.au/Pens/Teenie-Weenie-Pen-Set/63659/View_Front/MoreInfo.aspx

Mini Stainless Steel Pens/Pencil
http://www.daytimer.com.au/Pens/Mini-Stainless-Steel-Pen-and-Pencil-Set/63645/View_Front/MoreInfo.aspx

ZebraPen - Expandz
http://www.zebrapen.com/products/pen/expandz?c=29

[Oogiem]

What are you using to capture ideas on the go? ....
they're just too big and they fall out.

I made a zipper pouch that I wear on my belt so I can carry a 3 x 5 spiral notebook and a regular pen.

Gave up on small and went for inexpensive and ubiquitous.

[kelstarrising]

The GTD NoteTaker wallet of course, designed and used by David and the favorite tool pf most of our staff.

https://secure.davidco.com/store/catalog/NoteTaker-Wallets-and-Pens-p-1-c-273.php

[matsuru]

What are you using to capture ideas on the go? Everything seems either too big or too hard to use.

* Phones are painful to type on, including iPhone.
* Post-its are ok (I would prefer something even a bit smaller), but I haven't found any decent pens that fit the pocket - they're just too big and they fall out. I've probably lost a dozen of them already. I even tried the "space pen", but it was rather bad.

refer to this old post for ideas. my post here with pictures of my capture tools. as small credit card, almost. :)
http://www.davidco.com/forum/showthread.php?10284-What-Capture-Tool-Do-You-Carry-Around-W-You-Everywhere&p=73170#post73170

[andy88488]

I'm still trying to get GTD going, but I use this Olympus Voice Recorder as a capture device. It's tiny, and fits into a shirt or pants pocket very easily. I've been using them for years. Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-WS-400-Digital-Recorder-White/dp/B00264TQQM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272658247&sr=8-2

[RegionalSalesman]

My main capturing device on the go is my mobile phones voice recorder. I've never liked pda's/ phones keyboards/ touch screens. And I dont like writing on anything smaller than A4.
-Jukka

[harringg]

My main capturing device on the go is my mobile phones voice recorder.

I've been doing that too and it's something I've always got with me. In fact, when I need a lot of information about something, and don't want to describe it in detail, i just take a picture of the item with my phone, store it in a GTD pic folder I've setup on my phone and download when I get home. (I got that tip from a user here on the forums)

[rsailer]

I got the Notetaker Wallet at my first GTD seminar with David years ago. Indispensable.

My iPhone (or any cellphone) calls ReQall which transcribes a message and emails it to me for free (Jott does the same thing at a cost). Perfect for capture when driving.

Randy

[tanvir]

The best capture tool for me is the note taker wallet. It's always there and yet never there. A good tool should stay out of the way and let you do your job.

[bishblaize]

Personally its the phone for me, for several reasons. I have a blackberry btw, the typing is very good on it.

1) I can use it one handed! - this is a major reason for me - if im stood up on the tube or the bus, writing something down is impossible without falling on your arse when the thing sets off. it also means ideas popping into my head while walking down the street are much easier to record, particularly I have a bag with me. If Im out and about im usually in Londons heaving public transport system, or walking. It each case writing something down is just too hard. Bear in mind that if im at home or at work, any ideas get put into the in-bit of my actual system, or straight onto NA or projects, list.
2) I already have my phone on me. Anything else is an extra item to carry.
3) Overall its quicker - yes the actual typing may take longer, but its outweighed by the speed I can whip it out and start typing, and more importantly the speed i can process an email compared to a bit of paper.

The wallet-notebook isnt for me because it doesnt allow you to carry change. Bear in mind in the UK our smallest note is £5, which is equivalent to about $7. So if i have less than that on me, its in coins. If we had £1 notes maybe itd be different. its not unusual to have 10 or 15 coins on you, too many to slosh around in pockets.

its not perfect of course because

1) from time to time I get caught out without battery
2) it can look a bit rude sometimes whipping out your phone when talking to someone. That said its more acceptable than 10 years ago.

but overall it suits me best.

[JohnV474]

The absolute smallest usable capturing device would have to be a cellphone... IF you need to capture audio, video, photos, and also notes. There is no combination of paper + camera + audio recorder that could compare.

However, for low-tech, you have a tradeoff between tiny dimensions and usability. Blank business cards are pretty small, but that size or smaller can start to look silly in many contexts. As the paper gets smaller, the usable percentage of real estate gets smaller and smaller due to margins.

I settled on 3x5 cards. Even though they are larger (length x width) than, say, business cards or tiny Post-its, they are less bulky for the amount of space they provide. In other words, instead of carrying 10 blank business cards, I can carry 3 blank index cards--slim enough to fit in any pocket.

Something truly tiny, like the mini Post-it notes, look absurd in many contexts anyway.

I guess you could get smaller and usable by just carrying a miniature Sharpie marker and writing on your arm, but I'm guessing you meant high-tech or low-tech, not "caveman-tech". :-)

-JohnV474