29 November 2011

Free For All Tuesday No. 43

We are closing in on December... but as it's Tuesday, you are of course very welcome to pose any Filofax related questions for us to try answering...

35 comments:

  1. Hi all,
    I got a new personal finchley today and the 6 ring mechanism popped off when I opened it. It also fell off when the rings weren't opened. I can push it back on and it does okay but might happen again. From reading Steve's post in the past about the ring mechanism being able to come off if needed, I know this is possible. But should it happen unexpectedly? I am not familiar with owning filofax products so advice is appreciated. Thanks. Also, if it is defective and I have to send it back, do I contact Filofax Sweden or can I work through Filofax USA(where I am located)? Thanks.

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  2. I am on the fence, debating whether to get the Malden in Ochre or Classic in Chocolate. I will be getting the personal size and price won't be an issue. Any suggestions/comments will be helpful.

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  3. @TJ....I find Classic too stiff. Classic won't lie flat. I don't really like Malden, but in this case I would rather go for Malden. Have you consider Aston or Cuban ?

    @happy...I had same problem with Slimline, when I had too many pages in it. But it was really my foult, not filofax's. Otherwise rings definetely shouldn't open just like this.

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  4. Has anyone used this 2PPD format?
    http://www.filofax.fr/store/diaryrefillsdetails.asp?productId=2416

    I would like to try it and downsize from A5 to personal and would appreciate anyone’s feedback on it.

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  5. Hi, Happy,
    I have seen this problem once before with a new Filo and once with a Mulberry-Timer when I first opened it. I pushed the ring mechanism firmly back on (after adjusting the little metal 'hooks' a bit) and until today both work fine and although I use them quite often the rings never came off again - but maybe I was just lucky? I would not know if you could work a possible exchange through Filofax USA (I live in Germany) but I think you could always give them a call and ask if they can help. From my experience Filofax representatives are always very friendly and keen to help. Greetings, Sari

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  6. @Saffy:
    Hi, I use this D2P for some years now and I like it very much for more busy days when I have to plan a lot and take notes too. In my planer though I carry only the pages for the current week in addition to my W2P because the pages for the whole year together make the planer quite heavy and bulky :-). I think you could squeeze in the same information as in A5, depending on your handwriting - do you use the day per page format in your A5? Greetings, Sari

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  7. Is there a computer programme I can sync with my personal? I use it for recurring appointments (well, dog's names, I'm a dog walker!), and now I've got so many it's a real drag writing them all in week in week out. I'd like to find something I can do online, then print out to fit my organiser. I need to have it on paper to add in extras while I'm away from the computer, I don't trust having it all on a phone.

    Thanks!

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  8. Hi Saffy,

    I am also downsizing to a personal for 2012 and have bought a day timer 2PPD = http://www.daytimer.co.uk/diary-refills/Diary-Refill---Coastlines-2-Page-Per-Day---Portable/13980/View_Front/MoreInfo.aspx

    Should be an interesting exercise.

    Lynne

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  9. @Linda
    Do you use Outlook? There was a post on here a while back about printing out your diary from Outlook (which would then have your recurring dates in).

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  10. @Saffy: I have done a guest post on my 2PPD setup in my Personal Filofax last year:
    http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2010/12/guest-post-task-and-time-management.html

    Speaking of guest posts: where are the comments of the blogpost of 24th November? I have tried to comment with my iPod (which was not possible), and now the disussion seems to have vanished (or erased?) altogether. How sad!

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  11. @Linda Ward. I use Outlook but I print to A5 pages I'm afraid (much easier to print that way on my own A4 paper). My Outlook is also synced to my smart phone so I have a portable copy whenever I'm out and about without my Filofax (not often as desk based). I print off a WO2P about 2 weeks in advance and then a MO2P for months in advance. HTH

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  12. Hi Folks. Just wanted to let you know about a new programme/app I have discovered called Wunderlist... easily googled. Great for us list freaks out there. Has meant that I can transfer my GTD stuff onto Wunderlist. Oddly much easier than keeping in a GTD Filofax. Now only just keep my weekly and daily to Dos in my diary Filo.... moved over from Wunderlist. Wonder if anyone else now uses a mixture of PC or apps and Filo and in what way?? For me it's now everything Filo except for Wunderlist GTD.

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  13. @Linda

    I'm not sure if you want to print out a simple list of appointments or actual diary pages showing the appointments already entered? Maybe one of the following will help:

    Filofax do sell software, but it is only for address book info (and doesn't work for mac either). They also sell computer paper which can be used to print out any info you want. It only comes in blank format, not lined or diary pages.

    http://www.filofax.co.uk/store/addressbook.asp

    There is a website devoted to print-your-own pages in many different formats:

    http://www.diyplanner.com/

    Finally, there have been quite a few posts about using personal pages in a printer, eg this one earlier this year:

    http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2011/01/printing-your-own-filofax-personal.html

    I haven't actually tried any of these myself - I really ought to, as there is always a gap between the stuff I like to plan out on my mac and the pages I actually carry round in my filofax. I would love to know if anyone has succeeded in solving this problem!

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  14. Thanks those who commented. Filofax has made it all better. They are awesome. Thanks.

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  15. I would really like to see more "Readers Under the Spotlight" features. I love reading about other people and how they use their Filos and what got them interested in them to begin with. That's just me.

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  16. Thanks Katka for your comments. Having looked up the Aston and Cuban I'm still unsure but I'm heading toward Malden. I have an A5 Classic and yes it is a bit stiff but feels very sturdy. The personal gets thrown around in bag, desk, coffee table etc so needs to be upto to the job lol. My current Windsor needs retiring. Anyone else have any suggestions for a suitable work horse.

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  17. Does anyone know of an online shop that carries some of the older, discontinued Filofax forms/inserts, or is Ebay the best place to look?

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  18. Elisabeth
    Which ones are you looking for? We have quite a few in the Files area which you can print off yourself.

    Steve

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  19. @Jen

    Thank you for the Philofaxy link for printing personal pages. I actually managed to print a page thanks to "Nellie's" comprehensive instructions.

    TU too for providing the information Steve :o)

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  20. Hi everyone.

    I have the address book software and the Filofax printer paper, but found that the ink from my printed pages subsequently transferred to the surrounding pages for example the a-z dividers.

    Has anybody else had this problem? What type of printers do you use? Have you opted for your own paper and cut to size?

    I would love to hear your comments. Thank you.

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  21. @TJ: I also find the Classic far too stiff, it really spoils the fun of using it. I'm a great Malden fan, but I'm not sure if you should go for the Ochre, since that will scratch easily (which - one might argue - adds to its character).
    Another sturdy option: the Kendall (in brown!). The leather is a delight! I'm also a huge fan of the Finchley, but find it a bit sensitive to scratching as well. If you are planning on manhandling the poor thing, the Finchley might not be the best option.

    Of course, you could also go for the Apex. I hear that it is unfortunately indestructable .... (sigh)

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  22. I think we'll pass on the Apex lol. I've got a Finchley so fancy something new. I've read so many great comments regarding the Malden I thought I may have to splurge. I do like a fax with a zipper pocket even if it's small. The scuffings not really an issue as I like the vintage look, plus I'm quite handy at repair work lol. Think I've talked myself into it. If its not working after a few months, it'll have to retire early lol.

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  23. @jotje - yes I wondered where those blog posts had gone as well. Not sure if they got deleted for a reason or by accident.

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  24. Does the black malden scratch easily?

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  25. Question: how many different diaries do you keep? I find one gets far too full which means you can't see clearly the plan. I'm thinking about for different reasons for example one for blogging, one for household jobs and so on.

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  26. I am struggling with my 2012 layout. What I would really like is the year, followed by the month, followed by the week followed by a day per page for that week, then to the next week etc etc. does that make sense? Has anyone seen a format like this I can buy for A5? I have thought about creating my own but am nervous.

    My alternative is the filofax time management day per page, this is the only thing I have seen which is almost what I want. Does anyone recommend it?

    Thanks in anticipation

    cat

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  27. Hi, I have an ochre Malden and it has not scratched yet - been used six months or more. I also use a Kendal in brown - love that one as well. Have an A5 Classic and it is also nice but the personal does not lie flat. I know this as I got my partner one, but he likes it - converted him by accident. He now has a 'docking station' for his Filofax (what he calls the shelf it sits on when 'being admired'

    Chicken

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  28. Thanks to those who answered, I went ahead and ordered this evening.

    @Jotje...I think it was your guest post that got me thinking about that diary format in the first place. ;-)

    I was interested to see if anyone had tried and loved it or abandoned the layout after a while. Guess I will find out.

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  29. @TJ- I had a pocket classic which never lay flat even after many years of daily use.

    Recently though I was in paperchase and picked up a pink classic and it lay flat in my hand which did surprise me. I put it down to being the display model.

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  30. @Saffy, I am interested in how it works out for you, as I have been interested in trying it too but not sure if it might be too much paper and consequently cannot carry as many days as I would like to. I love the idea of having time slots for appointments, space for to-do items, and open space for notes. I currently just jumble all of these items together on a page and it becomes rather messy by the end of a busy day!

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  31. @TJ I have a Personal sized Adelphi that I use for work. After about a month of use, it lays flat. I love how it looks proessional but the patterned texture makes is interesting and not so boring black :)

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  32. @Josh I use a two day per page format from FC in
    my personal sized Filofax. I really like this format because there is a prioritized task list next to appointment schedule on one page and then a full lined page for notes. At the beginning of the month, there is a full calendar on two pages as well. I keep a quarter, or 3 months, with me. It also came with Calendars through next year for future planning!

    @Allison. I am rather new to this but I have my work dedicated personal Adelphi, I have a Personal on the way which I am using as my flyLady control journal (personal and home). I also have a pocket sized piazza on the way to use as a sort of emergency/health info/Dog info and general record keeping. It's just me and the dog so I'm hoping the pocket will be sufficient. (Laurie inspired me to do this in one of her posts)

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  33. @CatB Said:

    My alternative is the filofax time management day per page, this is the only thing I have seen which is almost what I want. Does anyone recommend it?

    Thanks in anticipation

    cat

    Cat the Time Management day per page, is in fact a Day on Two Pages... and it's a lot of paper for a full two years!

    I think you mean the A5 Day per page Business style, this is the one I've been using this year.

    See my post here:

    http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/diary-inserts-for-2012-part-3-filofax.html

    It shows the differences.

    Regards
    Steve

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  34. @happy: I find the Crimson, Vintage pink and black do not scratch easily. Even after extensive use, they still look brandnew! (the grey seems to be of the same leather as the crimson and pink btw).

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  35. @TJ - hi, another personal size option is the older Cavendish model. They are leather and do lie flat, have 2 pens loops and also, I believe have a larger ring size than normal. Jotje mentioned the Kendal which reminds me very much of the older Hamilton model, which is also very sturdy and practical but not as stiff as a Classic (I had a Hamilton A5 and Pocket many years ago but not the Personal). anxious to hear what you choose! : )

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