Paper planner/diary or electronic?

[dettu]

I used to use a Franklin Covey planner, but switched to a Palm Pilot for a while. When I left that job, I bought myself a less expensive Palm model, but it only synced with my home computer, so saving work appointments to it was a hassle, and eventually I stopped using it. Now I don't have a calendar with me and when I'm out away from home or the office, I have to put off scheduling new things until I can get back to a computer. It's not exactly handy. I could use my cell phone's calendar but it's not terribly functional and (of course) does not sync with a computer.

Is anyone here still using a paper calendar? Or is there some other alternative I'm not thinking of?

[JessW]

My mobile phone is my god-send.  The calendar, tasks, reminders and phone function are essential to me, without which I will go even more potty than I usually am

Jess (life is so not fair - there are a total of 4 Jess's working int he firm now!)

[Katie G]

I don't "merit" a Palm, or Blackberry, or what-have-you for work, and I'm not in a position to lay out that expense for myself (I have a basic, no-bells, no-whistles, pay-as-you-go cell phone for my own personal use.)  Besides, I believe that if they want me to be available at all times to all and sundry, then they can pay for the technology (and, not incidentally, for my time!)

I use Outlook at work as per the corporate guidelines, and keep a paper backup in the form of a small purse-sized calendar.  Part of my "wind-down" routine each day is taking 90 seconds and updating the paper calendar with stuff that's been scheduled that day. 

I also keep my personal stuff -- doctor's appointments, birthdays, etc. -- in the paper calendar.  I'm not comfortable with my personal stuff being on the company's system, plus, when I'm at the doctor's and making a follow-up appointment, it helps to know if something work-critical is going on so I don't make an appointment on a "bad" day.   

[Cathy S]

Everything goes on my work calendar (GroupWise) - personal items are marked private and I use multiple calendars so I can colour code and restrict access to some categories.  I can access this off site through my iPhone and webmail.

When attending formal meetings or site meetings I carry an A5 page a day spiral bound mid year diary - which I use to write out the notes on that day's page - so not as a diary, more of a mobile filing cabinet!  Any future appointments get added straight into the calendar via the iPhone.

I am confident in the organisations security system that I can safely include personal details and it provides me with a one stop shop for my diary.

Cathy