Slashdot Mirror
Device for Taking Travel Notes?
the Anonymous Wanderer writes "When I go in vacations, I like to take notes and upon return write a travel story for my friends. Until now I've been using a paper notebook, but found that I'm so busy when I come back that the notebook sits for weeks or months unopened. On the other hand, I have some 'dead' time during trips and I'd like to take the notes electronically (final editing could be done upon return). I don't want to carry a laptop or a PDA (too expensive, plus I want to be away from computers at least those 2 weeks per year). Any suggestions for a light, cheap, keyboard-equipped device? Like a travel clock + keyboard and more memory and USB? Thanks, the Anonymous Wanderer."
A calculator is always nice to have. And you can plug in a keyboard. And while you're out traveling, you can also be collecting data!
Casual Games/Downloads
There are cheap pdas. And you can buy keyboards for them. I doubt you will find anything much better than a pda.
You want a Tandy WP-2 or Radio Shack Model 100. Go here: http://www.8bit-micro.com/wp2wp3.htm
Here's the solution for your problem: just get a really expensive notebook (executive journal). This way, you'll have spent enough money to actually feel bad not using it, and you'll actually save money not buying a stupid electronic device just to jot down some words.
this sig limit is too small to put anything good h
You want an electronic device, that has a keyboard, you can type on, but is not a laptop or a PDA? Is there a punchline here?
Christ, buy a Palm IIIe and a keyboard from eBay. Way less than $50. If that's too expensive, stick with your notebook and buy a scanner.
This sounds like one of those people that sends the annonying 10 page email out to a list of their 50 closest friends detailing all the event on their vacation! Save us! Someone please! :)
Memories become legend, Legend fades to myth, and even myth is forgotten by the time that age comes again.-Robert Jordan
Try here: Alphasmart. They even have many models which will work off of AA batteries.
"-1 Troll" is the apparently the same as "-1 I disagree with you."
Happy Trails!
Erick
http://www.busyweather.com/
If too expensive is the reason you do not want to carry a laptop or a PDA, then I strongly suggest you get one of those el-cheapo Palm Vx's off eBay for like $20 or something.
:)
You can also get a foldable portable palm keyboard for less than $5.
It's really portable and quite comfortable to type in too.
I always carry these around when I go wandering -- they are good companions in the wilderness (read books, take notes etc) and you can read them in the dark too (they come with a back-lit display).
Besides, using them does not make you feel like you are using a computer-ish device, just think of them as nothing more than advanced note-taking tools with alarm clocks and games
And oh, if you are the type who hikes/climbs mountains etc., you could hook up a GPS to your Palm to look up directions using something like Cetus GPS - that way you have a GPS tool, alarm clock and a note-taking tool all bundled into one.
Travel Clock + KeyBoard + Memory + USB = PDA If you're worried about cost, a Zaurus SL-5000D or SL-5500 can be gotten on eBay for a reasonable price. Of course, if you're not concerned about price, then the Treo 600 would do what you need, and comes with a (albeit poor) camera.
Find out about the Lexus Rx400h Hybrid!
But this is slashdot, so let's discuss electronic toys we can add to our debts. We like paying for things after they've become landfil.
Not sure why you're ruling those out. An obsolete Palmpilot (say, a Vx) with an external keyboard will fit the bill nicely, down to being a decent alarmclock, too.
This almost sounds like a troll -- "I don't want to carry a PDA, but I want a device with a keyboard and USB. A travel clock with a keyboard? What universe are you from?
Anyway, I recommend getting a cheap early-model Palm Pilot (circa $100 or so, especially if you get 'em used) and a keyboard. I used the Palm m500 and a Logitech keyboard (about $75, less used, I assume) to write a travelogue on a trip this summer. The battery life on the plam impressive, and if you lose it, you're only out less than $200. Or much, much less if you buy used.
One caveat: the accuracy on those tiny keyboards sucks. Expect to spend some time cleaning up yuor speling on your home pc.
like a sidekick
http://www.dynamism.com/u70/
Seems like just the ticket - but it may empty out your wallet considerably. I've used the U101 a lot when travelling for everything to photo editing, dv editing, notes, watching movies on 10 hour plane flights, or wifi net connectivity -- but the U70 (although the 800x600 screen seems too small for my liking) seems more flexible / portable.
I recommend this device. Small, relatively lightweight, not a PDA or notebook, and is called Stallman. What more could an aspiring Slashdot geek want?
It is, however, missing your travel clock and USB connectivity requirements.
You say you don't want a PDA, but it sounds like that's exactly what you need. You can get a basic Palm and a mini keyboard for under $100.
A camcorder may not have a keyboard, and may not be easy to take notes on - but believe me, there's nothing like audio+video to make a memorable/enjoyable memoir of your trip.
I never thought of a camcorder (usually $300+) as a worthwhile investment, but my recent experiences changed that view - my parents're visiting and they've got a camcorder along (Sony, about $500.00, I think).
Nothing beats a camcorder to take audio/visual notes including a running commentary. It's even fun to plug it back in to the computer and edit it and relive the memorable portions of the trip later. Give it a try.
An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
Try the calcuscribe. Light, small, fullsize keyboard and runs for months off three AA batteries. Oh yeah, and it connects via the keyboard port so it works with everything.
On the downside, they're staggeringly overpriced ($240) for a keyboard + flash memory + LCD screen.
If you want to turn your notes into an electronic format, then you WILL need to use a computing device. SURPRISE!!! You're just being lazy if you don't translate what you've written down on paper to a word processing program on a computer to store and potentially print out later.
It just appears to me that you're being a whiny little bitch for 2 reasons:
1) if you use paper, then you're bitching about how you need to spend extra time on transferring it to a computer
2) if you use a laptop or PDA, then you're bitching that it's "too expensive"
I think you need to be realistic in your expectations and then just make up your fucking mind in light of those realistic expectations.
si vis pacem, para bellum..."if you wish peace, prepare for war"
If the notebook is so boring after the trip that you don't even want to subject your own mind to reading it, why the hell do you think anybody else would care?
Sorry, I am just being very straightforward.
Cover your eyes and click this link!
I'm seriously in love with my trusty old Psion Series 5 for writing stuff on - I mean, the odd short note is fine to do on the Palm M130 I got, but nothing can beat the Psion for datainput. True, it has only a serial conector, but then, nothing is perfect. A Psion 5MX or a Revo might be just what you need.
Everything in the world is controlled by a small, evil group to which, unfortunately, no one you know belongs.
I have the Visor with the collapsible keyboard and I used to take that with me for my travel writing and although it worked ok it kept crashing like crazy. I bought a Psion 5 on eBay and it ROCKS! Comes with a keyboard ( a little small but usable ) built in voice recorder. Notably it takes a standard CF card and I shoved a 40 something meg card into it. It comes with reasonable versions of Word, thesaurus, spell checker, etc and it works great. I even have an Ethernet adaptor for it.
You can see see the eBay Psion 5 stuff here. Runs on two AA batteries. I wouldn't have thought to get one but I got the recommendation from Robert Young Pelton author of the World's Most Dangerous Places. If it's good enough for him....
Check out a thing called the alphasmart.
http://www.alphasmart.com/
it has all the features you are looking for.
Dude... ok, call me an ASS, but this is EXACTALLY the point of a PDA.
As for expensive, what exactally IS your budget? Sure there ARE $500 PDA's, but there are also $50 PDA's. You can't justify your avoidance on cost and I personally think the "I like to get away from computers...." arguement is rediculous. If you were a bus driver, this would be equivilent to saying you want to go on vacation, without being subject to a car/bus/whatever-can-be-driven.
Hell, if its notess you want, get a $10 mini-cassette recorder, and just talk into it. It will be much easier to deal with then pen and paper anyway.
"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
I don't want to carry a laptop or a PDA (too expensive, plus I want to be away from computers at least those 2 weeks per year). Any suggestions for a light, cheap, keyboard-equipped device? Like a travel clock + keyboard and more memory and USB?
If you want to be away from computers, use pen and paper to take your notes, like all those guys wearing flannel shirts at your local Starbucks. If a device has USB, keyboard and memory, it's a computer according to the classic definition with embedded software - just as any PDA, but more limited. So... why not to use the PDA anyway?
You want to be away from a computer, but you want an electronic way to take notes? Does Not Compute.
:-)
:-)
Honestly, get yourself a Palm and the Palm UT Keyboard or even the wireless IR keyboard they sell. OK, so it's electronic. It's still the most convenient you'll find, and has a ton of other features as well. Like reading ebooks on the plane on the way to your vacation, then taking notes while on the vacation, then playing games on the way back from your vacation. It works out quite nicely.
These guys can give you great advice on which model you want to get. They've reviewed just about every handheld in existence.
Disclaimer: I am one of "those guys".
--GrouchoMarx
Card-carrying member of the EFF, FSF, and ACLU. Are you?
What you describe is a PDA or notebook, or some bastard version of the same.
/. stupid questions"?
Is this "I am bored so lets ask
That said if you really want to get away from computers for your vacation, get a dictation recorder (not sure on proper english term). You know the devices people used to use to dictate letters etc for their secretaries to write up. Digital storage versions existed last time I checked. Take voice notes, then transcribe later. Maybe you could even hook it up with some speech recognition software.
I take a regular film camera with slide film, since I have a kodak slide projector with a top mounted slide charger (with cable remote!).
No one ever shows up for my slide shows, however.
Do other people bother to look at your digital travel photos and/or videos?
On our recent honeymoon in NZ I used a USB MP3 player with a mic to record short notes. Worked great, got lots of ambient sounds to go with the pics, plus now I'll always know how dorky I sound in person....
Just use a little microcassette recorder and outsource the transcription to India.
Or the digital equivalent. Something small that you can carry in a pocket. Pull it out whenever you want to take some notes. You can do improv stuff or record a more organized daily summary. And you can grab sounds from the environment. Nothing connects people more than the sound of voices (particularly if the voice is of a friend or relative). Instead of describing the ocean with words, just record "I'm at the ocean. Listen." When you get back to a computer all you have to do is encode it and put it on the web. You can probably do that at Internet cafes while you travel.
Serve Gonk.
I remember seeing the olypus digital recorder comming bundled with software and connecting wires.
Fight Spammers!
My wife is a novelist, and has used her Alphasmart for years. She loves it. It's lightweight and easy to type on.
"No matter where you go, there you probably are." -- Buckaroo Heisenberg
Been meaning to buy one for myself for ages. Especially in the traffic in the morning, when I have a bright idea, hell of a lot easier to speak it than write it down.
a PDA is not to expensive you can find them for 100 bucks. Your not going to get away from a computer... if you having a keyboard plugged into any type of device that is a computer. You can use the pda for nothing but typing if you want to be away from the computer. Also install nothing else on it and you will be unlikely to use it for anything but typing. It would offer you the best solution of typing editting (if you want) and portability if you plug a keyboard into it. This is part of what PDA where made to do. Your asking for a solution to a problem that doesn't involve the correct solution. (I want to paint a wall red, using only non red paint... it can be done, but there is no reason to make it more complicated than nessary by requiring mixing paints and such....)
Dan Mayer: my blog, essays, art, etc
Why does it have to be written? It sounds like since you were writing it down on pen and paper you had todo lots of transposing already.
Why not invest in an mp3 recorder and use it to keep an audio journal of your vacation.
Then when you come home you can just sit down and listen to the entries and use them to write your story.
Firstly, mp3 recorders and the memory they use are cheap.
Secondly, it's alot smaller and lighter than a pen / notebook.
Thirdly, if your've near the right facilites you could even upload your log entries to a server just in case you use lose the thing.
You could even setup a webpage so your friends and family to co surf to your site and listen to your log entries.
Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
In the end, I'm back to pen and paper and decided that if it isn't important enough that I'm not willing to transcribe it, then off it goes to the 'black hole of ideas' box. Maybe when I die, someone will edit and publish it. More likely, it will mislead a future team of archealogists into thinking we were all a bunch of crazy bastards.
I'd try the phone thing though, if you're traveling locally. Get familiar with a sound editor and you can give your audience something a little cooler than text.
The meek shall inherit the earth, in 3 by 6 plots. - Lazerus Long
If you're taking along an iPod (and I have no idea if you are or not), how about getting an iTalk to go with it and dictate your notes?
I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Try taking a peek at a calcuscribe. Might be what you're looking for...
They don't make them any more, but they're great. Find an old one on E-Bay. Great keyboard, runs for over a month on a pair of AA batteries, about twice as big as a palm.It can take CF cards for storing things. No USB, but the sync software works over serial or infra-red, or you can get a CF USB adapter.
In soviet russia stale jokes recycle you!
She actually printed out my emails and had a bookbinder friend of hers bind them into a journal. It was a really touching gift when I got back.
/., is the definition of sappy love.
and that,
*barf*
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/5c3 8/
Write all of your notes in your notebook then when you get back, just throw away the notebook.
I have the perfect device for you my friend:
Cheap, not really a computer and with a keyboard! It's called a P-P-P PowerBook
Where do you want me to ship it?
Yahh, hiii haaaaa! -Major Kong, from Dr. Strangelove
In addition to keeping your notes, make sure your digital camera (if you have one) is set to the correct time and take lots of pictures. Even the photos you don't use will give you the date and time of the highlights of your visit. This lets you enjoy the sights without being a slave to your watch.
Phoenix
I'd also suggesting looking at Psion's old PDAs (Series3, Siena, Revo), which were even smaller, had reasonably good keyboards, and excellent software that you can also use for tracking your schedule, calculating exchange rates, storing phone numbers, etc. This is what I've usually used as a travelling companion... except for the times when I really wanted to get away from the 'tronics, and instead used a notepad of paper and a pencil for keeping a journal.
http://alternatives.rzero.com/
Typewriter.
Seriously. Get an old mechanical typewriter. They have relatively small ones that come in their own briefcase-like case. I'm sure you can pick one up dirt-cheap at a thrift shop or antique store.
You'll feel really hip and literary typing up your travel notes on an actual typewriter. Then when you get back home, scan your typewritten pages into your computer with through an OCR program, clean it up a bit, and you're good to go.
The Nokia Digital Pen could be the answer to your prayers.
It can store up 100 A5 pages...
I haven't tried it myself, but I would love to.
We do not live in the 21st century. We live in the 20 second century.
All he needs is a P-P-Powerbook! Infinite battery life too!
Free Mac Mini Yeah, it's
I like to do spacewalks, but I don't like taking a cumbersome and expensive spacesuit with me. Is there some low-tech solution to keeping oxygen in my lungs and pressure surrounding my body? Like a fishbowl attached to a bag?
Seriously... Dump the keyboard requirement and use the digital pen. It has built-in hadwriting recognition and will keep a memory of everything you write with it. It's not a computer--at least in the sense you meant--so it should fit the bill.
A first or second generation PalmOS device with a keyboard would be better for travel. The PalmOS devices could run literally for months without a recharge and some took AAA batteries, which are easily replaced while on the road. WinCE devices -- especially the first and second generation devices -- were notorious battery hogs, and that's bad news when you're on vacation.
Having a built-in keyboard, rather than a foldable external one, is nice, but I'd trade it for extended battery life if I were using on vacation. I'd also rather have a more normal-size, foldable keyboard than a thumb-pad if my primary use of the device is writing a log.
Why not get a voice-recorder that supports voice-to-text conversion?
Nothing simpler than just speaking your notes into a tiny electronic device, then have a speech-to-text converter "type" it into your favorite word processing program.
I use one from Olympus that has really good record time/battery life.
Diplomacy is the art of saying, "Nice doggie!" until you can find a rock.
I have, and have used, a Tandy 200. Connect via serial port, dump the data. This, as well as the Tandy 100, plus the WP-1, and other varients are really primarily text entry devices today, though they have the ability to be somewhat more. (I know the Tandy's come with a rudimentary spreadsheet, as well as a database. Not sure on the WP-1)
The biggest problem is going to be cost. For what they do, they are very expensive for the casual user. If you are a reporter, or freelance writer who can get a lot of use out of one of these, I would say go for it.
Folding keyboards for Palm and PockPC devices are reasonably comfortable for most people to enter text with. I am not fond of the thumbpads for entering text, but if you are comfortable text messaging on a cell phone, or with a Blackberry, you might want to take a look at a Zaurus 5500, which has been comming down in price.
If you prefer to "write" there are notepad data entry devices for the various PDA's as well.
Further on the "write" path is the data pen that keeps track of the movement of the pen and then downloads it via a USB port. I do not know how much memory they have, and would suspect that they are designed around taking notes at a meeting, vs. keeping track of the two week trip to Tibet.
If you don't mind a piece of electronics, but want to stay away from a computer/pda, you might want to look into a small typewriter. Type your notes, then when you get home scan them, OCR the scanned text, and post the results.
You may also find that whatever hotel you stay at as you are visiting have typewriters available for guests. This may not be handy when riding on the train and the muse strikes you, but you could use such to transcribe whatever notes you have taken into something you can scan.
For that matter, you could just do as you are, with the itterative step of scanning in your current notes, posting them as images, then manually typing the notes and decide if you want to have both the original scan and the text, or one or the other.
Another variation on that if you happen to have a cammera with a macro lens, or even a cell phone with a built in camera, would be to take photos of your notes that you can post along with whatever photos you take of the area. This would be also handy for keeping track of what you are photographing. This would work also with a film camera, but you would have the additionall wait involved in getting it developed and scanned in. Though some camera shops will allow you to get the pictures on disk or CD instead of or in addition to the prints.
Lastly you can also find digital voice recorders that you can dump the recorded audio to a computer at a later time. Memory costs dropping have really improved the amount of time you can record on these with. You might also contemplate the same with a DV camera.
Just some ideas, others will have more.
You never know...
Heh.
...
Been ther eon both sides of the issue.
Honestly, the biggest reason to write the stuff down (in my mind) is for yourself. It's FUN to go back through your old travellogs and find all sorts of "Oh! I had totally forgot about that time we were in X and Y happened."
One thing that would be kind of unfun about not having a notebook though is that pictures are a nearly universal language. When I look at my travellogs, they're filled with all sorts of hand-drawn maps, clocks with hands drawn on them, etc.
Which is not to say that you couldn't have both an electronic note-taking device and a notebook, but
-- Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
" Every time I add some new story ideas, I quickly go read up on how few writers actually make a living writing and how hard it is to live on a poverty level."
Perhaps that's the way it is. But if you write something in your spare time and get it published, you start getting a fairly regular check for a while. Content is an interesting way to generate income. Doing it exclusively, though, is a bit worrisome. I wouldn't call it futile.
"Derp de derp."
Try out a crosspad, I bought one of these things about 4 years ago, and it was awesome, just a pad of paper, a pen (RF no less) and a clip-board type interface. Then you hook it up via serial port and use IBM's digital Ink program to convert your chicken scratches to e-text. It was a little expensive and mine is collecting dust now but it was essential when i was in college collecting notes etc... The one problem was that there wasn't an eraser, however this was offset by the ultra-cool pen, that takes a aaaa battery, i never knew they got that small. I would imagine you could pick one up off ebay for not too much money, or use the newer nokia pen thing, which i think is pretty slick, however it might have it's own issues.
I love my Jornada 820. Windows CE device with full laptop keyboard, 8.2 inch 640x480 vga screen, built in v.90 56k modem and an 8 hour battery. For writing, nothing does better.
I picked one up on eBay two years ago for around $250 and it is worth every penny. Not a lot of options for upgrade since the OS is on a ROM but I wouldn't trade mine for anything.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Sounds like what you need is a Trash-80. It'll take notes and it's ancient enough that you really won't feel like your using a computer! Also, it's not flash enough to attract attention when travelling. A quick homemade serial interface when you get home and you're formatting in Word before you know it!!
Why not get digital voice recorder or a MP3 Player that can record voice memos? Then transfer the recordings using dragon natural speak to convert it to a word document? If you already have an MP3 player see if it will allow you to record voice memos. Sounds easy to me and keeps your hands free during your trips.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. --Edmund Burke
I believe the Logitech io Digital Pen is the only device that satisfies your requirements. I can't give you a recommendation because I haven't tried it myself. Epinions has a couple reviews as does ZDNet
It's about $160, plus the price of a compatible journal.
I have a friend who bought a 386 laptop on ebay for exactly your purposes. Cost about $25 and worked out wonderfully for her.
You could try the p-p-p-powerbook...
Symbian phones can use Palm keyboards. Note that the Nokia 3650 is a GSM world phone, so you can take notes (and send email) from pretty much anywhere.
Go for the high-cost, and highly satisfying option of a sexy personal secretary. One who can take care of all typing needs, as well as any other needs you may have while travelling (or not).
Trust me on this.
I have to plug the AlphaSmart 3000 here. I have one, and it is great. The only downside is that it isn't collapsible, so it's about 12x8 inches. If all you want to do is type, it will do that, as it has a keyboard. It holds a good amount of text (a bit over 80 pages at 80 chars wide).
The real advantage is that it gets at least 500 hours on three AA batteries. For me, that is a lifesaver, because I absolutely hate charging things and have a tendency to forget to do so (particularly while travelling).
Also handy, It can output over USB or a printer cable, and can send to any computer because it can emulate a USB keyboard and just type really frickin' fast.
I expect you want something smaller than that, as it is close to laptop size. It costs about 300 dollars, which is unfortunate.
Unfortunately, Motorola is refusing to release the specs on the chip, so you can't program your own applets for it. It's only ever good as a word-processor and a primitive calculator, but that's all many people need.
Also unfortunately, the company which makes them doesn't seem to want to make a smaller one, although it can't be too difficult. I've looking inside there: it has almost nothing in it. If they would make one with a smaller screen and a stowaway keyboard, I would be in heaven.
The Newton eMate, (very) dead technology from Apple, is available for cheap on eBay. It's very rugged, having been designed for kids. It has a built-in keyboard and no disk drive (FLASH RAM instead). It runs for hours and hours on a charge. The LCD display is shock-mounted and highly readable in direct sunlight. It doesn't wash out, it just gets easier to read. There's a backlight too. And it's very light.
It's fun to use one of these on a long plane flight. After two hours, everyone else is either changing batteries or folding their laptops. After four hours, the battery-changers are folding up, and you're the only one still typing.
It doesn't have USB. Its only interface is serial. But the Palm Desktop software for the Mac, which is Claris Works in disguise, will export documents from the eMate either as ASCII text, or to Word.
It was a Newton. Jobs killed the Newton division shortly after he came back to Apple, partly due to poor sales (although they were picking up), and partly because the Newton division had close ties to former Apple CEO Scully (the guy who forced out Jobs the first time).
Why not a Danger hiptop. It's a phone, PDA, HTML web browser, has AIM, does pop email (pushed down to you, you don't have to explicitly check emails) and includes a handy notes type program. You could also type notes into your e-mail or blog on the go. It has a full qwerty keyboard and the T-Mobile version (aka sidekick) is available for $70 (after rebates) from Amazon (if you get new service). Unlimited data access for $20 with any voice phone plan. There's even a telnet/SSH application you can snag for $10. The kicker is that the only way to backup your data is when it is automatically synced when connected to the GPRS network... so if you're not in or going to be in an area where T-Mobile (or whichever carrier you'd go with) has data coverage and the battery dies, then you're notes or email drafts will be history. But as long as your in a coverage area, it's great!
What you want doesn't seem to exist. if you only want to drop a few dollars on something practical, especially for camping and for reading and writing, I'd suggest rethinking the notebook and pen, and for around 10-15$ you can get a headlight/flashlight thing that you slip on your head, they have LED bulbs, run for days on some AAA or AA batteries. Chinamart has several models on the rack, easy to find there or most other department store. I have two of them, great for working and keeping your hands free, comfortable enough to sit down and read books (or write in a journal) with if there's no other lighting available.
Really, the next best option is just get an real old cheap used laptop, like some old 50$ pentium one or something. Transfer every days notes to a floppy and snail-mail it to yourself with a postcard, daily, then you have a backup if the laptop borks on you. Just make sure it has a decent battery. Don't think of it as a computer, just call it a portable keyboard equipped electronic typewriter for taking notes that's a lot cheaper than the other one you looked at.
But I still like the headlamp/ dead trees storage combo as the cheapest and best. The headlamp will satisfy geek gadget urges and it actually is quite practical, and the dead trees notebook is cheap and effective.
See if you can find an old Cross Pad. I have had good luck with these pads in the past while taking notes in meetings. It is nice to have a digital and a paper copy. The handwriting recog. actually works too. They were discontinued in April 2001, so check ebay.
If you take the palm with keyboard route as a lot of people are suggesting, I recommend SiEd for text editing, it saves files as normal text files on the memory card.
If you carry around a cellphone, you can then upload the files with VFSFTP. When I went to events before I got my laptop, I used this setup to update my webpage with live information. I could also upload photos as such.
Ah, one more handy program, Mocha Telnet, it has SSH-2 support. I used it to ssh in to make thumbnails of the photos I'd uploaded.
...at least some using Anoto Technology:
info here
some reviews here
and here
and a open source blogging system that has support for anoto pens: http://handwritten.net/
The Apple Emate left a void in a market, which both the Dana, Earthlink Mail Station, and other Internet mail friendly devices filled the void for. But for Jobs the desire is not to build a PDA but actually a series of consumer devices for the contempary consumer. Will Apple build anoher nice model device which is sub pc and sub Mac; probably not. Apple will continue to offer more, not less.
When I worked at Starbucks we had Tall, Grande, and Venti drinks. There used to be a Short, but after the Venti was added the Short had to be removed. People kept ordering "Medium," most of whom couldn't understand that they cannot order a medium in a 4 size index. Of course, with our smallest drink labeled a Tall the customers had constant questions when we would relay their order to other people, and we had to double-check with everyone who ordered a Tall that they wanted the smallest drink we served. Which in a way was a lie, as you can still order a short, if you want, it's just not on the menu anymore.
The ______ Agenda