Living : Office :

Want a reminder to use less paper?

03.20.2009

Submitted by tmeronek on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 11:00pm.
The Bite:
Here goes: Use digital desktop notes that act as reminders on your laptop or phone instead of Post-its. They're cost-free, tree-free, and never lose their stickiness. Don't forget.
The Benefits: 
  • Paper-free mnemonic devices. Sticky notes don't use all that much paper, but the average American uses the equivalent of a tree 100 feet high and 18 inches in diameter each year, and every little bit counts.
  • Remembering to save cash. Post-its aren't that expensive either (at maybe a buck per 100), but free's even better.
Personally Speaking: 
For the sad few of us in the SF office who don't have BlackBerrys or iPhones, there's always a notes feature that comes preinstalled on your cell.
Wanna Try: 
  • Post-it Digital Notes - for those of us who wanna shell out cash for a digi version of the original Post-it notes ($20).
  • Stickies - freeware sticky-note program for PC users.
  • Mac Stickies - comes installed on any Mac made in the past few years - just go to the Applications folder and click the Stickies icon.
  • SketchBox - another free, Stickies-like program for your Mac that allows you to draw, set alerts, send via email, and more.
 

Cocktail Fact

For the 20th anniversary of Post-it notes, 3M commissioned artists to create artwork on Post-its; artist RB Kitaj's piece sold for $925, making it the most expensive Post-it note ever.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Biters use digital desktop notes instead of three packages of Post-its, we'll save 36 trees.

19 comments
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SHERRYE  on March 20, 2009 at 04:22 AM 1
When I got my first MAC last year and discovered the applicaiton for the Digital "Post-it" sticky notes I fell in love with it. For those places I go that require my changing passwords to something totally obscure periodically, they are great - I can use a small font and shrink the sticky with the pertinent info down to almost nothing and save it in the corner of my desk-top until it is needed. Really cool. There is also a similar application in email that lets me add notes or reminders to emails that require a follow-up down the line which blends nicely with the calendar that alerts me to look at it on the appropriate day. I am getting digitally organized and not using ANY paper at all.
vielewis  on March 20, 2009 at 05:43 AM 2
thanks I just got a new Mac mini. your hint helped me learn more about it.
Jeremy Anderson  on March 20, 2009 at 06:06 AM 3
Tomboy is another open source project that comes with Ubuntu but can be used on Mac and MS. I read your e-mails that come each day and I finally had a chance to put in my two cents. Thanks for all the information.
Susan B.  on March 20, 2009 at 06:37 AM 4
I have a small dry erase board next to my phone at work on which I put phone messages and to-dos. Then when I'm done, I can just erase them! I use low odor EXPO markers.
Sarah  on March 20, 2009 at 06:59 AM 5
I don't see how you think Sketchbox can be used with an iPhone... Please explain.
redhed  on March 20, 2009 at 07:34 AM 6
When it's not possible to use my blackberry. I use the back of an envelope that came in the mail - to make notes on - even to send notes in to the teachers, when they need a hard copy. Recycle the envelopes twice - use for notes, then in the recycle bin when finisned.
Melissa  on March 20, 2009 at 08:17 AM 7
Something you didn't mention.... PC's that have windows vista also have the post-its built in. you can find it in the sidebar. it is at the top right side of the desktop screen. please don't leave out info for PC users. not everyone uses a Mac.
Lisa Jeffries  on March 20, 2009 at 03:09 PM 8
I couldn't get by without my Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook reminders, tasks, and general calendar for planning.
Sami  on March 23, 2009 at 10:56 PM 9
i thought the idea of the digital post-it note make no eco-sense. i'm sure the production of such a device is more damaging to the environment than the paper kind for the amount a person would use. plus the expense - $20 versus a few $'s/year. plus the waste in the landfill - paper versus a digital device? All around bad idea! there's my 2-cents!
Maria  on June 05, 2009 at 10:53 PM 10
It is an amazing idea.Nice post. I will try it after getting some work At Home. Working From Home Online is easy way to earn money. You can also work At Home Jobs & no need to go for a job through internet. There are many companies & people that are working Online & generating revenue.
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