To Print or Not

booman · #1 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 01:16 PM

This is one of my new pet peeves. I'm hoping all you tech guys will agree with me...
In this day of digital technology I never have a reason to print anything. I work on the computer all day in AutoCAD, Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Everything I need to send & receive can be done over e-mail or copy/paste to the server. I almost never print anything, but people are still in this habit where they have to PRINT it to see it. Even though its on the screen in front of them, they still print.
I'm not a tree-hugger at any rate, but I feel that if I can help, then I'll do it. I've learned that doing everything digital is quicker, easier, and allows data security (back-ups). So every time some one says "can you print that for me" I'll suggest an e-mail as PDF, DWF, or something else, but they will say "I need it printed out". Its not always necessary!
In CAD you sometimes have to print for the design to be built, but laptops are getting cheap enough that every Project Manager should have one with a DWF viewer to see the plans. Then they can mark up the changes. Why print it out and measure with a scale when the computer will do it for you?
The only other thing of importance is signatures. Most of the time they can be faxed (don't get me started on this) so you can get the clients signature for legal reasons. I know clients don't normally have scanners so this makes sense, but there has to be a way a client can sign a PDF digitally without having to print it out.
Most of the stuff I get in the mail could be sent via e-mail or by logging into an account to see my annual rates.
So I choose not to print. I started teaching at a tech college and they had my curriculum in PDFs but instead of e-mailing me the PDF my supervisor prints out 150 pages for me. I have the PDF now, so what do I do with all those pages?
Sooner or later there needs to be some regulation... Think of how much money you can save on paper by going digital. Think of how much space on a server save space on the floor in filing cabinets....
I'm done...
Thanks for your time

kellamne · #2 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 02:37 PM

I dont have a photo - but we have senior engineer consultant (read: ancient) at work that printed M&E manuals for everything. His car is loaded (all seats except drivers) - to point of being flat out on the suspension (legal???).

On the flip side - I'm still fighting the cause to get my self a laptop to replace my desktop - so I think there is a long term hope. Although - as I dont have a cad licence I am forced to scrawl over prints to mark changes fot the caddy to interpret and deal with. If I could get over that - in an easy way, it would make life easier for me - but havent seen anything that matches a 10p pencil yet.

Daniel ~ · #3 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 05:10 PM

For me printers are one of those things I think I almost never need...but seem to have to have...":O}

PorPorMe · #4 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 05:35 PM

I see your point and in some regardes I agree with you.
I have loved books since I can remember. In a novel-I disapear into the the world the author creates. In a self help book, I can hold it and pause and think about a concept while I sort carese the book.
For you, it's just the written word and how it's deliverd is of no importance. I need the book in order for me to be able to fully get my mind around somthing..
When I have a motherboard manual, it can be up on one of my other rigs-doesn't matter- I print it out. I need it in my hand.
Make sence? not realy. but I grew up with the written word and took a lot of escape and comfort there..think it will stay that way.

Gizmo · #5 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 09:20 PM

I find that I tend to prefer printed to electronic information, particularly if I am looking at schematics, or a particularly large and complex piece of code, simply because I can see more information at one crack than I can on a typical monitor.

In addition, there's just no practical way to read a computer in the bathtub.

booman · #6 (**permalink**) 24th July, 2008, 09:52 PM

guess I'm alone in this one.
I've just tried to make use of digital media before I print it out. Even the digital photo frames are an alternative to printing out photos and framing them.
I also have several computers, so when I'm installing something on one and have problems, I open the manuals on the other.
I can imaging large schematics need to be printed out because of amount of detail, but its interesting that it was probably written on a computer first.
Oh well, can't change the world in a day...

Daniel ~ · #7 (**permalink**) 25th July, 2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmo

I find that I tend to prefer printed to electronic information, particularly if I am looking at schematics, or a particularly large and complex piece of code, simply because I can see more information at one crack than I can on a typical monitor.

In addition, there's just no practical way to read a computer in the bathtub.

dsio can! ":O}

robbie · #8 (**permalink**) 25th July, 2008, 02:09 PM

There is an old Saying.... Paper Never Forgets.

**edit**
and I don't wanna be out of a job!

Daniel ~ · #9 (**permalink**) 25th July, 2008, 04:04 PM

you should print it twice then...":O}

captaincurran · #10 (**permalink**) 26th July, 2008, 09:08 AM

i've got the same feeling as PorPorMe. paper copies give you something physical to interact with, and you can still read things without any power at all.

Repo Man · #11 (**permalink**) 26th July, 2008, 01:08 PM

Very nearly every time I visit my mother, I have to install a new cartridge in her printer. She prints everything, and this is especially bad in light of her compulsive hoarding, which has led to her home being a cluttered disaster. "Leave the internet on the internet" I always tell her, but it doesn't help.

I haven't had a working printer in years now. If I should need to print something, I do it at work.

And faxing is pretty obsolete (send it as an email attachment), but it refuses to die.

captaincurran · #12 (**permalink**) 26th July, 2008, 05:13 PM

just like a floppy disk!

booman · #13 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 07:07 PM

yeah, how does that work? I still use floppies to update the bios on older motherboards. So I always have one around for just-in-case.
The only time I use my printer is for color photos. Thats it.

ccperf721p · #14 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 09:04 PM

I rarely print anything for myself. Too easy to just put in a portable format and stick it on the laptop if I need a copy.

Business is an entirely different matter. Invoices and purchase orders must be on paper. I do not print out a second copy for my own records though. Much better to store them on the hard drives as searching for a particular customer or job is just a few keystrokes. Then are the automotive wiring diagrams, I have to print those as there just isn't enough room for me and my laptop under the dash of a car..

brons2 · #15 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 09:08 PM

I print out stuff that I want to doodle in the margins on.

booman · #16 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccperf721p

I rarely print anything for myself. Too easy to just put in a portable format and stick it on the laptop if I need a copy.

Business is an entirely different matter. Invoices and purchase orders must be on paper. I do not print out a second copy for my own records though. Much better to store them on the hard drives as searching for a particular customer or job is just a few keystrokes. Then are the automotive wiring diagrams, I have to print those as there just isn't enough room for me and my laptop under the dash of a car..

Very true Cliff. Clients who pick up their car definitely need a printed invoice. Have you ever offered to e-mail their invoice? It probably won't do right now, but maybe in the future you could e-mail their invoice before they pick it up which could save them a trip if you missed something...

booman · #17 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brons2

I print out stuff that I want to doodle in the margins on.

I usually doodle in AutoCAD for my artistic ideas. Thats one thing I don't do enough is artwork. I design websites, graphics, 3D rendering and the sort, but I have a degree in fine arts (Emphasis in Printmaking) and don't spend very much time drawing anymore.

ccperf721p · #18 (**permalink**) 29th July, 2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booman

Very true Cliff. Clients who pick up their car definitely need a printed invoice. Have you ever offered to e-mail their invoice? It probably won't do right now, but maybe in the future you could e-mail their invoice before they pick it up which could save them a trip if you missed something...

I hadn't thought of it before, but for some customers it wouldn't be a problem. I'll have to do a little checking into it.. I have them sign when they bring the vehicle in using a sig pad ran through the software. Before that it was a hassle, had to print an initial invoice, just to get an authorization to work on the car.. You have to cover yourself these days though. Way too many people trying to get over on you. Surprisingly enough it's usually those that have plenty of money..