Are Address Books Obsolete?
I was sorting some stuff, and found some old address books. I used to keep all my friend’s info in there. Phone numbers, birthdays, etc. At this point in life, I’m all digital. I have a pda, computer, and cell phone.
Pros of digital storage:
- Well, no paper.
- Easy to carry with you - if you have a small digital solution.
- Easy to transfer to a new solution.
Cons:
I had over 200 phone numbers on my last cell phone. My cellphone died. I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the old memory card to work on my new cell phone. Problem - my new phone is missing many, many phone numbers. As people call me, saying, “Where the flip have you been girl?!” I’ve been adding them, but obviously that’s a lame solution. Before I had my numbers hooked up with Outlook too, but around the same time my cell phone broke, I had to reboot my computer and lost all sorts of info.
Final decision: Keep a hard copy of phone numbers (like an Outlook print out) just in case your cell and laptop die at the same time. Odds are they won’t; but in my case it happened, so…
Do you think paper address books are a thing of the past, or do you still have a little black book?
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POSTED IN: Calenders, Schedules, & Organizers
10 opinions for Are Address Books Obsolete?
Thrifty Karen
Jul 7, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Actually, I still have an address book. I don’t own a PDA. I do have a cell phone and I have been where you are with losing phone numbers. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn my lesson because all my cell phone numbers are still all stored in my cell phone alone. I do have some home phone numbers stored in my address book, but they are probably outdated. I guess I need a new system.
Kisha
Jul 8, 2008 at 1:17 am
I have both. I have a lot of numbers in my cell phone but they are also in my datebook, along with the addresses.
Tina
Jul 8, 2008 at 8:13 am
I don’t have a traditional address book but I do keep all my contacts in a Google Doc spreadsheet. That way I have a back-up!
Kristen
Jul 8, 2008 at 9:30 am
After the second instance where I lost TONS of numbers just like your experience, I decided to find an address book to record numbers and effectively keep up with addresses too. I love love LOVE my Real Simple address book. It includes labels in the back, so that when someone moves, no need to scratch out, just update with a label.
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/product/0,25451,1185316,00.html
Linda
Jul 8, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I keep it written down in an address book! I have numbers on my cell phone, too, but I want to be able to actually write with a pen and paper.
Michelle G
Jul 8, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Actually, I just transfered all my contacts from my old address book (from college - 13 years ago) into a new one. I have a spreadsheet for holiday cards, and tons of contacts in my cel phone, but like having an address book. Maybe because my mom did, I don’t know. I also like that DH can get into it if he needs to find a number/address. Makes it easier all around. That being said, it’s not always up to date, and often is stuffed with pieces of paper, reutrn address labels that I need to write in, etc.
Jana
Jul 10, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Love your blog! I keep an address book with websites and passwords. I also keep an updated phone list in a word doc and post it inside my kitchen cabinet door for easy access.
Jennifer
Jul 13, 2008 at 2:25 pm
It sounds like everyone but me used a back up method - good call guys. I’m thinking of calling my cell phone maker and seeing if I can transfer my old numbers someone, from the memory card. That new phone I got, is the same phone as my old one, but a few years newer.
@Kristen - that Real Simple book sounds cool. I used to get some of those magazines from thrift stores; used and old, but still useful info.
Peggy
Jul 17, 2008 at 1:49 am
No, no, no, no! I’ll never give up my paper address book. : )
amy
Jul 20, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Back it up, back it up back it up. The great thing about getting gadgets that sync. If you have your cel phone/pda sync as it charges, then any updates are made daily to your laptop, and mobile device. Then a weekly or daily back up of your home computer network will keep you from having to maintain the paper back up, which is why you got a mobile device in the first place.
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