How to "Get things done" with a Newton

Nice to see this getting picked up by TUAW :) Regarding the comments about using ancient technology like the Newton: Believe me, it's not as if I didn't want to have the latest and greatest tool to help me do my job and stay organized. But I won't compromise on battery life, reliability and usability. Ever. That rules out devices which need a network connection, devices without user replacable batteries (and replacing as a repair step doesn't cut it), devices which I can't literally throw into my backpack, and devices which use Windows ;) I would consider using paper and pen though.

Which brings me back to the original topic. I think that many people trying GTD get stuck in the "which tool to use" phase, and never see any actual results. Instead, they spend their time finding and then tinkering with their latest gadget. For me thougyh this is about getting things done, and not futzing around. I don't have time for that.

@ralph, karl: Have you used a Newton? Some of the ways it organizes and presents data still have not been equalled for efficiency, intuitiveness, and ease of use. The iPhone is good—great, even—but it is no Newton.

When it came out 14 years ago, the Newton MessagePad was ahead of its time in many respects:
-form factor
-input
-connectivity
-and best of all, its Newton Intelligence.

While it has been surpassed by newer devices in connectivity, the 2x00 model is still superior to most current devices. The 2x00 handwriting recognition is second to none. The form factor is no different than today's UMPC. Lastly, NO device out there is smart enough to assist the user with simple tasks. For example if you wanted to book a luncheon with Mary, you would simply write "lunch with Mary tomorrow" in the Assistant and Newton would look up Mary, set a calendar date at noon for the following day, and set a reminder.

So please... before dissing the Newton learn what it can actually do.

Newton? Would David Allen call this a low-tech solution? ;)

if anybody knows where i can find 802.11g drivers for newton that would be great...

Show me how to use natural handwriting on an iPhone or Palm and maybe we'll talk about giving up my newton.... But graffiti doesn't count, it's nothing but a pain in the fingers... And thumb-typing is not the same.

The newton means I don't carry paper for notes anymore, since the notes actually import/export via software (Last I heard the iPhone's notes don't sync and Palm's you can't access without Desktop.)

There are things a Newton can do that just don't have a substitute yet... When someone gets inkwell behaving on an iPhone and a way to get the notes out of it, maybe that'll be when I switch.

damn. Remind me again what fire is?

Guess what, Karl...
We still use wheels and fire, too. :-)

In other news...

Sundial can still tell time, Wheel still rolls and fire still cooks food.

Lets leave this thing where it belongs. In history.

Oh Newton! My dad's best friend had what I guess was one of the first Newton OS 2.0 models (it had the Doonesbury "Egg Freckles" easter egg - and that's all I can remember) - but he absolutely hated it and got a PalmPilot instead. It was somehow bequeathed to me, but I'll be honest - I was never overly impressed with the device -- although I'm sure 14 year old girls were hardly their target market anyway.

I understand why some enjoy finding new uses for old technology and I can relate to cult fanaticism for small niche products (I was a MiniDisc devotee for quite some time), so this is still cool to see. I don't regret Goodwilling that Newton (I do sort of regret giving away the Nintendo Virtual Boy I got for $20, brand new -- if only because it means I'll have to re-buy one for way, way more once I inevitably build my own video game museum) - but it's cool to see people making new uses out of such a flawed and ridiculed device.