Posted by JanetK_CA on 1/5/10 4:46pm
Msg #316807

What do you use for a planner/organizer?

I'm a long time Franklin Planner user, but one of my goals for this year is to automate and reduce paper. I have friends who are great fans of the Palm products, but the stylus thing they use doesn't cut it for me. I'd love to have everything (phone, email, planner, etc.) in one easy to carry device, preferably that I could sync with my Outlook.

What's your perfect solution? Thanks!

Reply by Ocean Pacific Notary Services, Inc. on 1/5/10 4:56pm
Msg #316808

I Phone - great tool/planner/phone and syncs with M/S outlook

Reply by Michelle/AL on 1/5/10 4:59pm
Msg #316809

I use two devices

1. At-A-Glance 24 Hour Professional Appointments (paper/book version)
2. Blackberry Storm Phone

I tried to go paperless but it doesn't work for me. When I'm on my cell phone with the scheduler I want a tangible calendar for me to view and right on immediately. I tried printing out the paper copy of calendar in my phone but that didn't work for me either.

So...if I have a full day of appointments I enter the appointment w/reminder in my cell phone so that I get those audible reminders to wrap up the closing and move along.

It isn't perfect but it works for me for now.

The At-A-Glance is small enough to fit in my purse and sturdy enough to survive 12 months of active use.

Reply by Jim/AL on 1/5/10 6:00pm
Msg #316817

Re: I use two devices, (must be a Bama thing, lol)

I use a Blackberry 8330 (would like to know more about Michelle's Storm, I am jealous)
and I also use an excel spreadsheet.

I add appts. to the spreadsheet as I get them print before I leave each day and leave some blank areas between days to fill in as I get calls throughout the day.

It is my calendar on the go and my tax records at home permanently. I use it for payment pending vs. received info., date performed vs. date paid, and also for mileage and other company specific information and invoice collation.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 1/5/10 8:25pm
Msg #316839

Re: I use two devices, (must be a Bama thing, lol)

Your excel spreadsheet isn't a bad idea either, Jim.

Reply by RickG/CA on 1/5/10 5:05pm
Msg #316810

Perfect...no, however it's effective for me.

I ditched my old trusty Franklin at the beginning of last year. I have a palm product, which I can use to retrieve, review, and send emails on the fly. (And answer the occassional call) It connects to my laptop for eSigns without incurring additional fees. It syncs to my Outlook calendar and I also retrieve emails using Outlook.

I hardly use the stylus, except to write chicken scratch notes, phone numbers, and other "post-its". I guess I use it to play games while I'm waiting?!?!

The next phone (Palm prehaps, iPhone doubtful) will be able to run multiple applications - my only knock with the current setup.

Reply by ikando on 1/5/10 5:08pm
Msg #316811

I decided to get a smartphone this year, and my preferred provider, U.S. Cellular, offered an HTC Snap which looks a lot like a Blackberry but has toggles rather than the ball to move around.

Anyway, it is based on Windows Mobile 6.1 and syncs with Outlook for my contacts, email and calendar. I'm still learning how to use the internet from it (the screen is very small), but the more I use it, the more I like it.

Reply by Notarysigner on 1/5/10 5:16pm
Msg #316812

I Phone does everything I need it to including SS payment reminders...LOL

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/5/10 6:01pm
Msg #316818

Remember to back up your electronics including iPhones.

A friend of mine was making fun of the fact that I still write everything down in a paper planner. That is, until he dropped the iPhone. I asked him, "You do back that thing up, right?" He said there was an app that did that. Apparently, it didn't as he wound up losing everything.

I do have an electronic planner that syncs with my computer, so I have a second copy in case something happens to my paper planner, but I generally don't use the electronics. As my kids say "Dad, you are so last century."

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/5/10 6:04pm
Msg #316820

I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

with that...not so busy I need advance technology - I know what my schedule is on the road so I know whether I'm available on such day at such time...

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 1/5/10 7:15pm
Msg #316832

Re: I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

Me too! This year instead of buying a day runner refill I decided to get an old fashioned composition book. It cost me $1 and works just fine right now. We'll see how it goes.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/5/10 7:18pm
Msg #316833

Re: I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

Heh...I use Quicken for accounts receivable and also keep paper ledgers of income (broken down into notary fees/signing fees) along with paper ledgers of expenses...works much better for me - I tried the computer reconciling...I was an utter failure...

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 1/5/10 7:30pm
Msg #316834

Re: I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

I use a program specifically for notaries, which I really like.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/5/10 7:47pm
Msg #316836

Re: I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

I print out a calendar each month from Microsoft Office Documents which is installed on most everyone's computer. I write in my appointments on the calendar as they come in. I also utilize the calendar and alarm features on my phone for private jobs that are scheduled in advance (so I don't forget to go to the appointment!). I never forget to go to a loan signing appt.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 1/5/10 7:53pm
Msg #316838

Re: I'm a paper person too...much more comfortable

That's cool! I'll check to see if they have a daily calendar.

Reply by Vince/KS on 1/5/10 6:09pm
Msg #316822

Blackberry Tour syncs with Outlook, any e-mail accounts,

web pages, etc and tethers to your laptop. Plus additional applications. Fast and easy. Assign Ringtones (you can download from your computer whatever you want) to your best clients (and spouse) and ignore others (if you want).

Reply by jnew on 1/5/10 6:32pm
Msg #316827

Windows Calendar and Desk Calendar as backup

Reply by parkerc/ME on 1/5/10 6:37pm
Msg #316830

Palm PDA until they come out with a couple of my favorite Palm programs for the Apple platform and then I'll be using my iPod Touch only.

Reply by LKT/CA on 1/5/10 8:25pm
Msg #316840

<<<I have friends who are great fans of the Palm products, but the stylus thing they use doesn't cut it for me.>>>

I have the Palm Treo 800w......using the stylus is optional...I can navigate through the Palm just fine using just the keypad/buttons. I can glance at the calender by day, by week, or by month and can go into the calender while on a call - which is nice when a caller asks if I am available on a certain day/time. I can immediately look at the calender and tell them YES or NO.

Reply by John Schenk on 1/5/10 10:39pm
Msg #316857

I use an At-A-Glance Calendar, that's about 2ft wide, and 3

feet long. That's it. LOL

That's what I keep my statute of limitations on also in ALL of my cases. It's the calendar of my professional life.

JJ

Reply by Ellen Welsh on 1/6/10 10:03am
Msg #316887

I keep track of all my signings, payments,etc. on an Excel spreadsheet. Been doing it like that for years and it has worked very well for me. All the companies I do work for are on my cell phone by name and I just wish there was enough business to need an appointment book, but even a few years ago, when it was much busier keeping each day separate, I used the confirmations as my appointment calendar.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 1/6/10 12:27pm
Msg #316926

My iPod touch - love it! n/m

Reply by tmoring on 1/6/10 2:06pm
Msg #316961

I currently use the Blackberry Curve. I LOVE it! I can keep up with my appointments, receive and make calls, receive and write emails, and much much more. I fought it for years, but finally broke down when I received the Blackberry as a gift.

Reply by Lauren Sni on 2/1/12 12:11pm
Msg #410514

I use software from notarygadget.com and it works on my phone too, which is great for when I’m on the road. You can print the documents, if you choose, but it is a web-based organizational tool, so it reduces the paper and clutter.