What Is Holding Back the Paperless Office?

Drethon writes "CNN has an article (are we up to the millionth article on this topic?) asking if the paperless office has arrived. This got me wondering, what are the main things holding back the paperless office? Just off the top of my head, the main thing keeping me printing out documents is the ability to spread a dozen pages of a document under review out on my table and marking it up by hand. PDF and Word markups are not too bad but they still lack the ability to spread many pages out to look over at the same time and could be improved to make markup a bit less restrictive. I do find myself printing out less with the use of dual monitors to have source documents and work under progress up at the same time, perhaps something like Microsoft's tabletop computer used as a desk will let me have at least a paperless desk. I know there are other reasons why offices are not becoming paperless. What are your reasons?"

Doodles

[hivebrain]

When Word or Acrobat allows me to draw 3D boxes and other geometric shapes in the margins of docs, then we'll talk.

Re:In short

[owlstead]

"I have yet to find anything that can replace the flexibility of a notepad.."

You may have to wait for the flexible eInk displays that should be coming out in a year or so.

Resistance Of Change

[thechemic]

I work in an office with 200+ cubes. We have all the latest office productivity tools. 99% of the employees have 10-30 yellow stickys stuck all over their desk for reminders. People seem somehow amazed and awestruck by my clean and streamlined desk that is clutter free and yellow sticky free. Sometimes people are even brave enough to ask "how do you do it? How do you work without... stickys??!!". I tell them about this technological miracle that was recently invented (years ago) called Outlook. Features include calendar with reminders and even... a task list! Amazed... my coworkers usually run back to their desk to place another yellow sticky on top of a recently expiring yellow sticky, that says "reminder, learn about outlook tool". I feel like I'm surrounded by spear-chuckers

Old saying

[AliasMarlowe]

"A paperless office is as useful as a paperless toilet. Some things would be impractical..."
OK, it's not that old a saying, but it's valid in a number of ways.

The paperless toilet.

[Charles Dodgeson]

Back in the 80s, I remember someone saying that a paperless office would be about as useful as the paperless toilet.

I'm not sure why I feel that this is true. But I'm hoping this discussion will provide insight.

Re:Resistance Of Change

[$RANDOMLUSER]

...this technological miracle that was recently invented (years ago) called Outlook.

You had me up until that bit.

Re:Basically?

[Again]

Personally, I don't really like how paper feels because when I'm handling a lot of it, it tends to dry out my hands -- particularly if it is still hot from the printer or copier.

Well, I love printing stuff out because of how the warm paper feels. I love walking back from the printer with the freshly printed, warmed paper pressed against my face. And yes, I know I look weird when I do that.

Re:Old saying

[clickety6]

"A paperless office is as useful as a paperless toilet.

But they both mean everything has to be done digitally... ;-)

Re:The paperless toilet.

[Platinumrat]

Well, if you go to any Muslim country, that's what you'll be faced with. A paperless toilet. I must admit that you never get used to a bidet.

PS: Never except anything handed to you by a muslim if he uses his left hand.

Re:Old saying

[pjt33]

What kind of soup do you find works best?

Re:Old saying

[kaizokuace]

...but the idea of using soup and scrubbing their hands good just doesn't seem to occur to the masses.

I know! I always love clam chowder on Fridays! Though I think Tom Yum works the best.

Re:Old saying

[Zen Hash]

Why not? I built my office around my toilet. That way when I sit down to work, I don't have to stop for anything. Less distractions too, since people rarely come into my office anymore unless they have a good reason.

Re:The pragmatic doesn't use no paper but less pap

[AlamedaStone]

If you think that's what a bidet is designed for, then you are horribly abusing your bidet

Well it's not a drinking fountain... ... I mean... is it?