Message #70900

[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.