Comments on: I Love My Tiny Notebook http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook The Game Mastering Blog Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:06:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: of Dice and Dragons » Pen, Paper, Index Cards and a Cellphone? http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-1225 of Dice and Dragons » Pen, Paper, Index Cards and a Cellphone? Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:20:31 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-1225 [...] a month ago the folks at Gnome Stew had an interesting post entitled I Love My Tiny Notebook which talked about the fact that as a gamer (particular those of us that GM) we frequently have [...]<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1225','of Dice and Dragons » Pen, Paper, Index Cards and a Cellphone?'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> [...] a month ago the folks at Gnome Stew had an interesting post entitled I Love My Tiny Notebook which talked about the fact that as a gamer (particular those of us that GM) we frequently have [...]
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]]> By: DNAphil http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-522 DNAphil Thu, 29 May 2008 14:00:07 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-522 I am a Moleskine snob. I keep the small notebook for work and personal notes, and a larger one for gaming ideas and brainstorming. In the past few years, I have filled 3 of the larger books with gaming ideas, maps and such. As for the small ones, I am up to my 12th book.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('522','DNAphil'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I am a Moleskine snob. I keep the small notebook for work and personal notes, and a larger one for gaming ideas and brainstorming. In the past few years, I have filled 3 of the larger books with gaming ideas, maps and such. As for the small ones, I am up to my 12th book.
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]]> By: technochris81 http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-292 technochris81 Sat, 17 May 2008 17:48:46 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-292 i have a tiny notebook, but never think to use it for DM ideas. i've got in the habit of using it as a planner. i include my work schedule, my play schedule, various to-do lists, and even grocery lists. however, with the DM stuff, i'm usually just like: "Oh, I'll remember that." And then i do--about 50% of the time. However, sometimes, when i really want to remember a good DM idea, i'll just write up a text message and then save it to drafts instead of texting it to anyone. It's served me well in a pinch. However, i don't do this often enough either. <div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('292','technochris81'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> i have a tiny notebook, but never think to use it for DM ideas. i’ve got in the habit of using it as a planner. i include my work schedule, my play schedule, various to-do lists, and even grocery lists. however, with the DM stuff, i’m usually just like: “Oh, I’ll remember that.” And then i do–about 50% of the time.

However, sometimes, when i really want to remember a good DM idea, i’ll just write up a text message and then save it to drafts instead of texting it to anyone. It’s served me well in a pinch. However, i don’t do this often enough either.

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]]> By: Dhelm http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-194 Dhelm Wed, 14 May 2008 16:11:38 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-194 As a player, I still regularly use a moleskine, but as a DM, I've traded my pen and notebook in for an ASUS eeepc, which also functions very well as a reference for game materials and rules (assuming electronic versions, pdf, etc are available for the game system.) Granted, it is an order of magnitude more expensive (my 4G eeePC was $412.80 US, including shipping and tax) than a moleskine or economy pad notebook, but it also comes with all the functionality of a pc.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('194','Dhelm'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> As a player, I still regularly use a moleskine, but as a DM, I’ve traded my pen and notebook in for an ASUS eeepc, which also functions very well as a reference for game materials and rules (assuming electronic versions, pdf, etc are available for the game system.) Granted, it is an order of magnitude more expensive (my 4G eeePC was $412.80 US, including shipping and tax) than a moleskine or economy pad notebook, but it also comes with all the functionality of a pc.
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]]> By: Ghoulglum http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-150 Ghoulglum Tue, 13 May 2008 20:37:25 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-150 I always keep a pocket sized notebook with me. You never know when you'll get a good idea & it's always good to have those ideas where you can get them later.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('150','Ghoulglum'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I always keep a pocket sized notebook with me. You never know when you’ll get a good idea & it’s always good to have those ideas where you can get them later.
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]]> By: MoonHunter http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-133 MoonHunter Tue, 13 May 2008 16:48:02 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-133 I had given up on little note pads a long time ago. At the table, my campaigns elements and notes are kept on a full sized pad of paper. Sometimes I will tuck/paste print outs into that pad, just to keep everything right there. However, I don't live with that pad. Nor does it interface with my computer well, so there are things in two places. What has replaced it all for me is my PDA. Besides being generally handy, also being my phone and web browser, I always have it. I have a thought, I type it in. It is right there. I can retrieve and edit it later. I can update things. I can look at the material I had previously done and downloaded into my PDA. I have it all right there. And I have a back up of everything everytime I synch my machine. It is the best spent 200 bucks I have ever spent on gaming with the added bonus of it making the rest of my life work well. (Okay I bought it for reverse reasons, or at least that is what I told my wife.)<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('133','MoonHunter'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I had given up on little note pads a long time ago. At the table, my campaigns elements and notes are kept on a full sized pad of paper. Sometimes I will tuck/paste print outs into that pad, just to keep everything right there. However, I don’t live with that pad. Nor does it interface with my computer well, so there are things in two places.

What has replaced it all for me is my PDA. Besides being generally handy, also being my phone and web browser, I always have it. I have a thought, I type it in. It is right there. I can retrieve and edit it later. I can update things. I can look at the material I had previously done and downloaded into my PDA. I have it all right there. And I have a back up of everything everytime I synch my machine. It is the best spent 200 bucks I have ever spent on gaming with the added bonus of it making the rest of my life work well. (Okay I bought it for reverse reasons, or at least that is what I told my wife.)

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]]> By: Adrian http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-114 Adrian Tue, 13 May 2008 09:38:04 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-114 I was thinking of this post as I was scrawling in my moleskin on the way home from work on the train tonight. I didn't realise just how popular moleskins were.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('114','Adrian'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I was thinking of this post as I was scrawling in my moleskin on the way home from work on the train tonight.

I didn’t realise just how popular moleskins were.

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]]> By: Kurt "Telas" Schneider http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-107 Kurt "Telas" Schneider Tue, 13 May 2008 03:58:04 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-107 SmartPhone for the win. It's great to sit in a doctor's office waiting room, furiously thumb-typing your latest brainstorm while everyone else reads six-month old Time Magazines... Right behind that is a laptop with good battery power. I typed two of my GnomeStew posts while flying cross-country. :-)<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('107','Kurt \"Telas\" Schneider'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> SmartPhone for the win.

It’s great to sit in a doctor’s office waiting room, furiously thumb-typing your latest brainstorm while everyone else reads six-month old Time Magazines…

Right behind that is a laptop with good battery power. I typed two of my GnomeStew posts while flying cross-country. :-)

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]]> By: Martin Ralya http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-99 Martin Ralya Tue, 13 May 2008 01:26:14 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-99 @Adam: D'oh, hearing the name made me remember -- the Pocket Cahier is the other one I've used, not the Pocket Volant.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('99','Martin Ralya'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @Adam: D’oh, hearing the name made me remember — the Pocket Cahier is the other one I’ve used, not the Pocket Volant.
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]]> By: Adam Nave http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-95 Adam Nave Tue, 13 May 2008 00:02:14 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-95 I use a Moleskine too, just a pocket Cahier. It was $8 for three, so it's not too expensive. I keep it in my back pocket and it has curved a bit, but the cover is holding up well. I think the paper is not quite absorbant enough and it bleeds a bit onto the facing page, but maybe that's just my cheap pen. I used a Pocket Mod for a while, but they tend to disintegrate after a bit. Still, they're a good cheap alternative. http://www.pocketmod.com/<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('95','Adam Nave'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I use a Moleskine too, just a pocket Cahier. It was $8 for three, so it’s not too expensive. I keep it in my back pocket and it has curved a bit, but the cover is holding up well. I think the paper is not quite absorbant enough and it bleeds a bit onto the facing page, but maybe that’s just my cheap pen.

I used a Pocket Mod for a while, but they tend to disintegrate after a bit. Still, they’re a good cheap alternative.

http://www.pocketmod.com/

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]]> By: Patrick Benson http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-93 Patrick Benson Mon, 12 May 2008 23:44:02 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-93 I use tiny notebooks and a digital voice recorder myself. I then upload the notes into my PC as MP3 files. The voice recorder is great for when writing isn't really safe and/or practical (such as while driving). What I really want is a tiny portable tablet style pocket PC so that I can sketch, write, record, take photos, etc. That would be the ultimate ntoe taker!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('93','Patrick Benson'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I use tiny notebooks and a digital voice recorder myself. I then upload the notes into my PC as MP3 files. The voice recorder is great for when writing isn’t really safe and/or practical (such as while driving).

What I really want is a tiny portable tablet style pocket PC so that I can sketch, write, record, take photos, etc. That would be the ultimate ntoe taker!

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]]> By: Martin Ralya http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-85 Martin Ralya Mon, 12 May 2008 18:38:44 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-85 I have a very spotty memory and am obsessed with taking notes. Along with emailing notes to myself, I carry a Palm (the cheapo Z22), a moleskine specifically for my novel, and keep two mini-notbeooks in my car: another moleskine for recording mileage, and one for random ideas I get in the car. The three moleskines I use are the Ruled Notebook and the Ruled Reporter (which flips at the top, which I love), plus the Pocket Volant (softcover, super slim). I blame our own DNAphil plus NaNoWriMo for getting me into moleskines, and while they're expensive they're worth it. I'm looking forward to filling them because I'll be able to pop them on the shelf and refer back to them later -- I don't think I'd like a refillable quite as much. You love your tiny notebook, and I love this post -- great start, Matthew! Now go buy a moleskine. ;)<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('85','Martin Ralya'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I have a very spotty memory and am obsessed with taking notes. Along with emailing notes to myself, I carry a Palm (the cheapo Z22), a moleskine specifically for my novel, and keep two mini-notbeooks in my car: another moleskine for recording mileage, and one for random ideas I get in the car.

The three moleskines I use are the Ruled Notebook and the Ruled Reporter (which flips at the top, which I love), plus the Pocket Volant (softcover, super slim). I blame our own DNAphil plus NaNoWriMo for getting me into moleskines, and while they’re expensive they’re worth it.

I’m looking forward to filling them because I’ll be able to pop them on the shelf and refer back to them later — I don’t think I’d like a refillable quite as much.

You love your tiny notebook, and I love this post — great start, Matthew! Now go buy a moleskine. ;)

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]]> By: Scot Newbury http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-78 Scot Newbury Mon, 12 May 2008 17:33:01 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-78 For me, I skip the notebook and use a stack of index cards with a binder clip to hold them together. Simple to use, low cost, portable, easily refillable and can be filled easily if I want to keep them - typically I toss the card out after I've incorporated the notes into whatever project they belong to.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('78','Scot Newbury'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> For me, I skip the notebook and use a stack of index cards with a binder clip to hold them together. Simple to use, low cost, portable, easily refillable and can be filled easily if I want to keep them – typically I toss the card out after I’ve incorporated the notes into whatever project they belong to.
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]]> By: Scott Martin http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-68 Scott Martin Mon, 12 May 2008 16:27:12 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-68 I'm not good about keeping a binder on me at all times. I regret it whenever I realize that I've had a lot of good ideas through the week... but don't have any at hand when I'm ready to get my session notes written up. You'd think I'd learn...<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('68','Scott Martin'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I’m not good about keeping a binder on me at all times. I regret it whenever I realize that I’ve had a lot of good ideas through the week… but don’t have any at hand when I’m ready to get my session notes written up. You’d think I’d learn…
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]]> By: Matthew J. Neagley http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-gms/i-love-my-tiny-notebook/comment-page-1#comment-49 Matthew J. Neagley Mon, 12 May 2008 15:01:58 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/?p=46#comment-49 Great Links! I don't have any personal favorites. I'm still looking for the "holy grail" so to speak. I've just found through rigorous trial and error what features work for me. When I find them all together in one bundle, I'll be one happy gnome. My current notebook I picked up at my local Target. It's a side-bound wire ring (which I don't care for. It's already starting to mangle from pants-pocket stress) but it has a nice 1/16" cloth and board jacket with a clasp that I'm wild over.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('49','Matthew J. Neagley'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Great Links!
I don’t have any personal favorites. I’m still looking for the “holy grail” so to speak. I’ve just found through rigorous trial and error what features work for me. When I find them all together in one bundle, I’ll be one happy gnome.
My current notebook I picked up at my local Target. It’s a side-bound wire ring (which I don’t care for. It’s already starting to mangle from pants-pocket stress) but it has a nice 1/16″ cloth and board jacket with a clasp that I’m wild over.
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