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Post by allanorn on Dec 15, 2020 0:06:33 GMT
Bringing this over from another thread as it deserves its own: I have to have a spreadsheet to keep track of all mine - otherwise, I would send some people two cards and others none. ;-) My husband and I have long discussions about why I don't use technology for more things. (He has a degree in computer science.) I think he has finally accepted that i just enjoy writing things down. That being said, I do use a spreadsheet for Christmas Cards. But I print it out and write all over it. Where do you use technology to assist in your letter writing; and more importantly - where do you draw the line? My address book is in the cloud, but I make lists by hand for Christmas cards. I use Christmas cards as a way to check if I haven’t heard from someone; they get dropped off of next year’s list if they don’t reply in any fashion (unless they’re family). I do need to create a separate “postcard” list as I try to drop off postcards from travels when I’m out and about. My correspondence is mostly handwritten but I have a couple of manual typewriters. They mostly occupy space, but I’m tempted to type a letter a week as next year’s project.
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Post by Mia on Dec 15, 2020 1:55:13 GMT
I have used the address service, Postable. You have a link and people can add their addresses, even if they don't have an account. At least one person on my address book there has moved, but they haven't deleted/amended it (probably means they don't have an account). I have physical address books, but only a few out there seem to have enough lines for the address (one member here has several lines - house name, road, village, postal town/city, postcode). I don't think everyone whose address I have via recent correspondence is properly put in an address book yet.
I did have a spreadsheet for logging in/out mail, but if I didn't do it on the day, I could forget... Also, then if I did instead write it down for later input, then it can feel like a chore... Instead, I just have list/to-do paper and log incoming/outgoing mail on separate lists.
There is a website out there to manage your penpals - e.g. address, a little bio, and can hold images of the letters... Perhaps it feels it is business-fying, or distancing (that isn't quite the right word...) it from reality...Would you then take the idea further to record & store verbal communications with actual real life (I know penpals can be real life) friends...?
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Post by distractedmom on Dec 15, 2020 3:46:11 GMT
I log my incoming/outgoing in a notebook. I started entering all of the data into a spreadsheet, but lost momentum. Maybe once the kids leave in January... I would never ONLY put it in the spreadsheet. It’s just so easy to jot it down in the notebook.
I have a manual typewriter. I’ve used it a few times but with COVID and having a house full of people working and doing classes, I haven’t used it in ages.
I have started using my iPhone to scan outgoing letters. I have a lovely scanner, but it’s not always convenient to scan the letter. I always have my phone with me.
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Post by InsomniaQueen on Dec 15, 2020 13:28:00 GMT
I type letters in Word and print them when I am having trouble with arthritis in my hands. Sometimes it is simply too painful to hold a pen. Fortunately, this isn't often a problem. I also have a couple of pen pals who prefer these letters because I can get more chatty when I'm typing so they get longer letters - and because my handwriting isn't the best.
I record incoming and outgoing mail in a book that I bought for that purpose. (Pen Pal Letter Log from Four Paws Press). I will not be purchasing another of those once this one is full. It doesn't suit my needs and has tons of wasted space. I created a template in Word for my new log when this one is full. I will keep it in a three-ring binder. I try to make sure I record all incoming and outgoing mail, but sometimes I forget.
My addresses are stored in a small address book.
I own an antique typewriter, but it needs repairs. (The carriage doesn't move properly) I'm not sure that I would use it even if it worked perfectly.
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Post by ginny on Dec 15, 2020 15:53:14 GMT
I try to be organised without being what I consider 'over the top'... That means: I use a big notebook for outgoing / incoming mail (entry for outgoing contains date and name of person, country the letter goes to and postage paid, entry gets a tick when response comes in, plus arrival date of response). I also note the arrival date on envelopes. Letter & envelope goes into a transparent sleeve and gets filed in binder (sorted into two categories domestic & European mail / overseas mail, within categories by date of arrival) until I reply to it. My penfriends' addresses plus family details, birthdays etc. are stored in a filecard system. I scan outgoing mail (unless I forget to do so ) with a scanner / photocopier / fax machine attached to my computer). Have a filing system based on year / month there. Some of my letters are typed in Word. That's pretty much everything. I do not use clouds for addresses etc.
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Post by although on Dec 15, 2020 16:39:15 GMT
My address book is kept in MS Outlook, locally on my desktop computer (rather than in the cloud). That is synced with my smart phone, so it's always handy and up to date. I still haven't warmed up to the idea of using the "cloud" for storage/backup.
I scan all of my letters (incoming and outgoing) in color with a multi-function-printer and store them as pdf's on the computer. They are listed in order of person/date by filename convention.
I keep a spreadsheet inventory of fountain pens, inks, and history of what pen inked with what ink over what dates... Foolishly, I have been duplicating that data on Urban Hafner's "fountain pen compaion" website. I started the spreadsheet long before Urban created his website, and I guess it would feel like spreadsheet betrayal to just drop it... Does that make me a nerd-data-sentimentalist?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2021 18:41:10 GMT
One of the things I truly love about snail mail is that it's low-tech (if you don't count planes for airmail . It's a wonderful compensation, if your work requires you to sit in front of a screen all day. However, I scan all my outgoing mail, because almost every year one or two letters from or to me get lost.
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Post by mrsduffy on Apr 20, 2021 0:57:59 GMT
I keep files in Google Drive of my letters written and scan them from the app directly into the appropriate folder. I wish I had done this from the beginning. Looking back though, were I really over the top organized and could have a do-over, I would photocopy my letters, attach them to the letter being responded to and stick them in a file. As it is I have boxes of letters which I've always meant to organize but.... There's simply no going back 10+ years.
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Post by sunshine2170 on Jul 8, 2021 7:44:29 GMT
I do everything digitally. Scan incoming letters and keep it in PDF. Write my letters in word (luckily I do this because one letter Got lost and so I was able to email my letter instead).
Between word and excel I keep lists of who I’ve written to and when I received theirs and when I replied.
I also have arthritis in my writing hand so find it hard to write letters but I can type them. I make up for it by decorating my stationery and envelopes
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