After borrowing a colleague’s document scanner at work, I decided to attempt to go paperless in my new job at the University of Oregon. So, here’s my basic set-up:
With this configuration, I am able to easily scan documents into my MacBook Pro, run them through Adobe Acrobat’s OCR program and then save them either into specific folders on my computer or simply dump them into the database program DevonThink Pro. Once this is done, my Time Machine and BackBlaze backups make sure that the files are backed up.
So far, the system works well for me and my workflow. Now if paper comes in, it gets scanned and then the paper either gets destroyed or it gets filed away for later use if I absolutely need to have the paper copy. My desk is very clean and I at least give the appearance of being organized. One of the consequences of running a system like this is that I am, in a way, forced to be more organized with all of the items on my computer. I use tags in DevonThink Pro to tag documents for easy retrieval. I have a clean desktop and try and go through my “Downloads” folder weekly.
Paperless–I like working this way so far.
Tags: paperless
Free file sharing and net meeting | Show Document
How does this sound?
Shared Document
Shared Whiteboard
Shared Text Editor
Shared Browser
Well, that’s what ShowDocument does, and it’s all free. I played around with the “Shared Whiteboard” for a bit and there are some features that could come in handy. You can load things to view within the whiteboard, such as a document on your computer, or a Google Map or a 3ds file. In addition, you can add a YouTube video and others.
It’s simple to invite others as well. When you first join the space, it gives you a link with a login number that you send to the people that you want to join. Once they do, they’re in and all you have to do as the main presenter is click on their name in the list of names to give them control of the space. In addition, there is a chat feature that allows you to chat with the group.
Nice.
Hat tip to Fred
Tags: Collaboration, tools, web2.0
Remains of the Day: The iPhone vs. Kindle Edition
So I downloaded the Kindle app for the iPhone the other day to check it out. Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I don’t have a Kindle (yet), so I thought this might be a way to check out the iPhone/iPod Touch’s e-book technology. It’s good, I must admit. Supposedly these two things stay synced somehow, so that the Kindle will know where you left off, and the iPhone will also. Neat.
Along those lines, I’ve also been fooling around with Stanza, a free e-reader for the iPhone. They’ve got a desktop app that allows you to upload a bunch of different documents, including .pdf files, which I did last night. So far, I like it. And free is good too. 
IPod Speakers Made From Paper Cups and Sticks
Consider the above in times of budget cuts and trims . . . . .
I’ve started using one of these and it’s pretty nice! I’ve got teachers that now want them for their classroom use, which makes perfect sense. See below for more info–
IOGEAR: Expand Your Connectivity
