Prosthetic Conscience

Script for generating writing paper

Because I want writing paper with more lines in order to make my letter heights more regular, and because I am not entirely pleased with Seyes-ruled paper, I wrote a little Python script to generate writing paper (as a PDF file) to my preferences. Yes, I am that much of a nerd.

The script and a basic sheet of writing paper are here.

[ Posted: 17:00] | [ Category: ] | Permalink | Comments: 0 ]

Hipster PDA in a Moleskine Memo Pockets

I carry a Hipster PDA as my collection tool for Getting Things Done. In general this works well, but I have had one problem with it, which is that the corners tend to get bent and frayed in my pockets. I have been looking for a hPDA case that fits in my front pocket and protects my notes. In yet another case of GTD cultism overlapping with Moleskine fanboyism, I’ve acquired a Moleskine Memo Pockets and am using it for my hPDA.

The Memo Pockets is 3.5x5.5 inch expanding file folder. It has the oilcloth cover and elastic band common to other Moleskines, but no pages. Instead it has 6 expanding pockets. The pockets are open towards the spine of the book, so their contents are secure when the book is closed. I use these pockets to contain index cards and other things as follows.

1. Blank index cards.
2. “Live” index cards. These are notes to myself that I may wish to refer to from time to time. Generally these include a page for groceries and other errands, a page of agendas, etc.
3. “Dead” index cards. These are cards which have used for collecting “stuff”, which have not yet been processed. When I get the chance, these will be entered into my real system, which is an Org Mode text file.
4. Drivers Licence, credit cards, library card, checks to deposit, etc. My Memo Pockets replaces my wallet.
5. Unused. I’ll probably have some use for it later.
6. Receipts. Receipts of all kinds go here until they can be entered into GnuCash and shredded.

This system with the Memo Pockets has several advantages.

1. My cards don’t get mangled.
2. It replaces my wallet, so I don’t get butt bulge.
3. It keeps my stacks nice and separate — previously I did this by putting coloured index cards between sections.
4. It looks rather nice. I feel less silly about writing on cheap index cards with a nice fountain pen now.

It has a few disadvantages, though.

1. The Memo Pockets is quite a bit thicker than a plain Moleskine Mini, which means that it’s a little too thick for my front pocket. It needs a shirt pocket, or preferably a jacket pocket.
2. The pockets can get overstuffed pretty easily if I’m not paying attention.
3. The pockets are thicker at the outside than the inside, so I am concerned that they will cause the covers to bend.
4. You have to open it to get at anything, including live notes — you can’t just glance at the top.

One thing I’m ambivalent about now is writing on index cards, actually. They’re fine for quick notes, but for actual writing, not so much. On the other hand, I’m told that Lolita was originally written entirely on index cards, so I can take some comfort in that.

To sum up, a Moleskine Memo Pockets makes a nice hPDA case, but it has a few disadvantages that may not be immediately apparent. I’m still getting used to mine and considering a Moleskine Mini (and abandoning the index cards) as an alternative.

[ Posted: 22:12] | [ Category: ] | Permalink | Comments: 0 ]

Fast append-to-file in emacs for GTD

One of the most important things you need to implement Getting Things Done (GTD) is a fast way of collecting things you think of so that they are out of your mind and in your inbox. On the Mac, you’d do this with Quicksilver’s “Append to…”. Using Emacs, you use Remember Mode. Rather than appending to a text file, you can use other backends, such as sending yourself mail, posting to your blog, or appending to your bibliographic database. I use the backend for Org Mode, a mode for living in one big text file.

But if Emacs isn’t the active application, how do you get a Remember buffer quickly? The trick is to use emacsclient and your window manager. You need to get your window manager to bind a key to run

     emacsclient -n –eval '(progn (remember) (switch-to-buffer-other-frame "*Remember*"))'

In metacity, the Gnome window manager, binding keys to arbitrary commands is not exactly straightforward, involving the use of gconf-editor, as far as I can see. Edit the key /apps/metacity/keybinding_commands/command_N to contain the command above. Then edit the key /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/run_command_N to a keybinding that you like. I use <Ctl><Shift>R.

Then, no matter where you are, your keybinding pops up a new emacs frame with a new Remember buffer in it, ready to be appended to any text file with C-c C-c.

[ Posted: 17:13] | [ Category: ] | Permalink | Comments: 1 ]

Pen stuff

Well, I did two pen-related things this morning. First, I ground my Sterling Kelt‘s point to a cursive-italic point. This took about half an hour with a soft Arkansas stone. I’m pleased with the results. The contrast between vertical and diagonal lines is fairly sharp, but it’s not as rough to write with as some calligraphy fountain pens I have used (Osmiroid and Sheaffer). It will probably be smoother once I polish it a bit with some 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Unfortunately, I am out of cartridges for this pen, and will have to either order a package of cartridges or a converter.

Secondly, I found my Sheaffer pen that had been missing. It has a piston converter, so I do not have to worry about running out of ink for it. Of course, it has a regular (round) nib. I will probably grind it to a stub or cursive-italic point sooner or later, though as this is a slightly more valuable pen, I am worried about damaging it. It appears to be a Sheaffer Legacy Heritage, though I got it for much cheaper than the going rate on those. Possibly it was a discontinued value model in this line; it has a simple brushed stainless finish rather than the elaborate finishes shown.

Update: the pen is a Sheaffer Triumph Imperial (Brushed Chrome). They were produced from 1995 to 1998, but I’m pretty sure I bought mine sometime around 2000. The red gift box and the retial price match my recollections, too. The Sheaffer Javelin is the current equivalent model.

[ Posted: 11:51] | [ Category: ] | Permalink | Comments: 0 ]

Pens

Aas part of my ongoing effort to get myself organized, I have been using a hipster PDA, and have bought myself some pens to use along with it, my fountain pen being MIA. I haven’t been able to find a cheap fountain pen to replace it, so I’ve tried a few different disposable pens.

The first is a Uniball Signo 207, a cheap gel pen. It is an 0.7mm point, and writes like a gel pen should — smooth, almost as smooth as a fountain pen. The ink is satisfyingly black, and the lines are fairly bold. For a cheap pen, it is pretty satisfactory.

The other pen is, by coincidence, also a Uni, the Uni Power Tank. This is a ballpoint pen with a nitogen-pressurised reservoir, the same technology as the Fisher Space Pen. It was suggested on a 43 folders comment as a substitute for the widely-praised space pen. Unfortunately, the writing experience with this pen was not to my taste. I guess the best way to describe it is to say that it writes like a ballpoint. although it is a 1.0mm bold point, the actual writing is less bold than the 0.7mm Signo. I think the ink is not as black as the gel ink in the Signo, as well, and no comparison to black fountain pen ink. It does, however, write upside down and so forth. It probably even writes underwater and “through a pat of rich creamery butter.” But how often do you really need to do those things? It seems to me to be sacrificing average quality and pleasure of use for the ability to function under extreme conditions.

I had a look for my fountain pen and my dip pen, just for a contrast. Didn’t find the fountain pen, but did find the dip pen and played with it for a while. It is hard to argue with its simplicity, and it’s a real pleasure to write with liquid ink. The flow is a little hard to get right, however, as it is more pressure-sensitive than my missing fountain pen. If I can’t find it, I’ll probably get another cheap-ish fountain pen, like the Parker Vector, or the Waterman Phileas. The Vector is cheaper, and I had one for several years and know it writes well, but it’s a bit skinny for my tastes. The Phileas is more expensive, but comes with a converter, which is good – I’d have to pay another $5 for a converter for the Vector. It’s a good shape but a slightly gaudy finish.

[ Posted: 18:00] | [ Category: ] | Permalink | Comments: 0 ]