04 May 2012

Free for All Friday No.181

I was recently reminded of a time I lost my Filofax. I left it by my seat at a nightclub where I was watching my brother perform, and drove home without it. Someone found it while cleaning up after the show, saw my name inside, and gave it to my brother. He drove to my building (it wasn't far away), and instead of waking everyone in the house, slipped it through the slightly open window of my car. I woke up the next morning, and panicked when I realized my Filofax was missing. Of course, it was in the first place I looked -- the car! Whew! (I didn't find out until later how it got there!) Have you ever lost (or thought you lost) a precious Filofax? (Since it's Friday, all other topics are welcome, too.)
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63 comments:

  1. Ray Blake04 May, 2012 02:09

    Yup. I lost my Malden a month ago. It had the Filofax 'If you find this organiser' page right at the front, so I was hopeful it might find its way back to me. For the last few weeks I've been slumming it in an old binder, but this week I decided the Malden wasn't coming home and seized the excuse to buy a new Holborn to replace it.

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    1. Laurie04 May, 2012 03:44

      Oh no Ray that's horrible!!!! I hope somebody does the right thing and returns it to you. In the meantime, enjoy your new Holborn! I'd love to know what you think of the Holborn compared to the Malden. I have a Holborn but not a Malden, and I'm interested in how they compare.

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    2. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 04:29

      Sorry to hear that Ray, hope it finds its way back to you. I once left mine on my desk at work and realised how lost I felt without it at home over the weekend.

      Hope you are enjoying the Holborn

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    3. Alison Reeves04 May, 2012 05:40

      On no Ray - that is awful. Funny thing is that it is the binder that would encourage someone to keep it rather than do the decent thing, but it's often the contents that we really miss! I hope you are able to re-create your life in the new Holborn.

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    4. Anita04 May, 2012 06:26

      Oh, I'm sorry to hear that & hope it gets returned to you! And it was a Malden too :(

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    5. Ray Blake04 May, 2012 07:28

      Thanks all. I was able to recreate all the important parts. The loss made me grumpy for a day or two, but buying a new binder has made it all better. The Holborn leather feels very similar to the Malden's but somehow if seems a more businesslike binder.

      The internal configuration suits me better than the Malden's did, and I've been attracted to the Holborn for this reason for ages. But I only need one daily-use binder. Maybe the Malden's loss wasn't really a mistake at all, but my unconscious finding a way for me to justify a purchase.

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    6. industrious housewife04 May, 2012 07:30

      Sorry for your loss Ray, fate's way of bringing you to the Holborn though as you say.

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    7. Butanben04 May, 2012 10:22

      Sorry to hear that Ray... it must be so annoying to lose all your appointment details, birthdays etc. What a nuisance. Still I hope that the Holborn makes up for it!!
      I love the Maldens, but I really need 2 pen loops, along with my Quiver as I use 5 slimline gel pens to colour code my routines. Hope the contents at least find their way back.

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    8. Joey Quinton04 May, 2012 14:59

      I am so sorry, Ray!

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    9. LJ05 May, 2012 00:30

      So frustrating - you'd think someone would return it :o(

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  2. Unknown04 May, 2012 04:32

    I think I'd be devostated if I lost my filofax... which reminds me I need to create a 'if you find this filofax' page...

    On a completely different subject I have lost the lid to my Lamy Safari. I think it must be at home, but it's not in my bag with my filofax & pen and now the pen won't write. I presume it has dried up without the lid, but does anyone have a solution to get it going again for my day at work so I don't have to move to a biro....

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    1. Alison Reeves04 May, 2012 05:42

      Cat, you could try dipping the nib in some water, or just squeezing the converter or cartridge a tiny bit to get it running. Chances are you will get ink everywhere anyway, so I'd be inclined to give up for the day!

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    2. Yu04 May, 2012 06:08

      Soak the pen (not just the nib) in water (I'm not sure if there should me something in the water or not) overnight. Then do the regular maintenance. This is especially important if you write with darker ink, which can crystalize within the feed. :)

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    3. Joey Quinton04 May, 2012 15:02

      Cat, take the nib and feed off and use a baby syringe to force water through the feed.

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    4. Alison Reeves04 May, 2012 16:01

      Yep - if you want to clear the pen rather than just get a quick 'write' out of it, I'd disassemble the whole pen and put it into some water overnight. If you don't have a syringe, you can repeatedly blow water through the nob assembly, but only after you have soaked for a while to loosen any dried in ink. Your pen will be sorted once there is no more colour coming out when you soak it in water. I bought a lovely pen from ebay with dried up ink inside and it took me the best part of a week to get it flushed clean!

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  3. JohnofJenkins04 May, 2012 05:19

    Yes I "lost" my Filofax only last week. I searched the house and my case and the car and I had a horrible feeling that It was gone. Then I remembered that I was using it in church to write down notices that I thought were relevant and when I had finished I put it in the pew in front of me. At the end of the service I left it there and went for coffee then went home. Had to get the church opened up (thank you) so I could get it.I really felt lost without it.

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  4. Docmel04 May, 2012 05:32

    During the late '90's I had a job which involved a load of travel. All I used to take on the plane with me was my trusty Filofax Balmoral - which had everything I needed to organise my working life. Stupidly I left it on the seat of a shuttle bus between the plane and the terminal. I thought that it would be handed in so kept checking with Lost Property but no luck and a week or so later bought another - but it took me weeks to recover and even then I reckon I only managed to cobble together around 75% of the missing information.

    Lesson learned? - I never keep all my data in one place - Friday afternoons now become sacrosanct in terms of transferring important notes, contacts etc from my filofax across to Microsoft Onenote which I use purely as a dumping ground - equally following a few ruined hard disks I don't trust digital 100% either so all my important PC files get backed up daily using a superb free program called 'Vice Versa'

    paranoid? perhaps - but I have no wish to go through the sheer panic I felt stood in a foreign airport terminal with all of my information gone!

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    1. Alison Reeves04 May, 2012 05:45

      Docmel - you make an interesting point. Many people use a filofax because they have been let down by digital, but it can work either way. Of course you can remove something from your digital backup accidentally and your automated back up systems can then delete the item in your backup system as well. We can't be full proof - just aware and careful.

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    2. Docmel04 May, 2012 06:32

      Alson,

      ...which is why I like vice versa so much - although I could run it automatically I ensure this is the last thing I do before I finish work each day. The program shows the current state of both 'parent and child' folders and amends only new or amended files - and I just have a brief check on those and any I delete before pressing teh 'go' button.

      ....of course I could get really paranoid and back up my remote back up but then that is getting too silly.....

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  5. Yu04 May, 2012 06:09

    O_O never thought about that.

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  6. industrious housewife04 May, 2012 07:28

    Just slotted a Rhodia top-spiral-bound notebook into the back of my A5 Domino. Stationery joy.

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  7. Paul B04 May, 2012 08:49

    Binder addicts: Scroll past this post.

    Just noticed there is 50% discount on A5 Chameleon organisers on Filofax UK site. I'm feeling more and more unenthusiastic about my A5 Finsbury in Brfown. It feels very..........staid, busionesslike and boring. I'm thinking of A5 Chameleon in Aqua, but a little scared it will be too bright, vibrant or dare I say it, girly. Decisions.......

    BTW, does anyone know if the outrageously expensive Smythson of Bond St organisers match the Filofax Personal and A5 rings?

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    1. mppaul204 May, 2012 11:04

      Wow, when does Filofax USA have such great sales???

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    2. Babs04 May, 2012 12:07

      It's really not that bright at all. There's a lot of black mixed through it which tones it down. Mine is still unused but I'm slowly coming round to it!

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    3. LJ04 May, 2012 12:10

      Get the aqua, it is lovely, and definitely not too bright :o)

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    4. Paul B04 May, 2012 12:43

      I'm now looking at a couple of options. Its just the price on the Chamelwon is a compelling argument. I have one major gripe with the Finsbury, although it may be climate related. I used it for 3 years while working in Afghanistan. There is now a worn patch around the popper, where the top surface of the pimpled leather seems to have worn off. I can't help thinking the Chameleon looks a similar finish, and might wear off. Although I concede it may well have been the extremes of temperature in Afghanistan that contributed. Its hard to know. I love the look of the oiled surface on the Kendal, although I know that the way I treat my Filofax, it would scratch in seconds.

      Back to scrollingthrough A5 options.......

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    5. LJ04 May, 2012 14:04

      My Finsbury which is loved, but not overly used, has a similar issue. The finish on the Chameleon is completely different though. Much softer than the Finsbury, in fact it doesn't feel like leather, but it definitely is - it smells so good :o)

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    6. Alison Reeves04 May, 2012 16:08

      Paul the Kendal is very resilient. I had one for ages, then gave it to a good friend who is a contractor in the building industry so it gets some heavy / dirty use! It just looks better for that and very rugged! Depends on the look you are going for!

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    7. Paul B05 May, 2012 00:38

      Alison, I think we all need more friends like you!!!

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    8. MTMTE05 May, 2012 19:12

      The issue with the Finsbury's popper-colour-wear is the biggest problem I have with that make. I bought a second-hand aqua a year ago and was so disappointed to see the tiny 'white' faded leather on the popper rapidly grew as I ran my hand over it. I'm going to be extremely careful with my latest Emerald finsbury and won't dare introduce any leather/moisture product to for fear of the same happening again.
      As for the A5 Chameleon in Aqua...just Wow. I only tried it out because of the sale and I was stunned by the result. Not bright at all, a very deep and lovely blue thanks to the black contrast throughout. I found this picture of it to be the most accurate I've come across: http://louloudorsetsmusings.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/super-organised-day-out.html

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    9. MTMTE05 May, 2012 19:21

      Oh and I have to agree that the Kendal is an excellent binder - the trouble is finding it in A5. But nothing boring or overly business-like about that binder...I like to think of it as Indianna Jones making a pitch to a room of suited colleagues for an extension on his field-trip grant *sigh*

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  8. Filofreak04 May, 2012 11:49

    Sorry to Ray and Docmel for loss of Filos. That's horrible! I haven't lost one but I did have one stolen, I think by a coworker with a gambling addiction. I can't prove that she took it, but I believe it. I don't know if it was out of spite or if she thought she could sell it, but I still miss it. When I'm at work now, I keep my Filo locked in a drawer unless I'm using it. Sad but true!

    Paul B,,,,,the Chameleon in Aqua really isn't too bright in person and is quite a lovely blue. I dare say you wouldn't seem too "girly" with it, especially at 50% off,,,,,,,I'm such an enabler!

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  9. LJ04 May, 2012 12:19

    I lost my A5 aqua Finsbury which I was using for work at the time. I'd only been using a filofax for work for a few months at the time and had loads of planning in it as I'd had a trip to the UK so did loads of planning in the airport and during the flight.

    I took my laptop bag and a large handbag on the train to work with me a very kindly put my laptop bag in the overhead rack so it wouldn't annoy the other people sitting in the same section as me - never again. I got off the train, waited for the tram, and as the tram arrived went to hoist my laptop bag onto my shoulder properly (clearly just out of habit), and that was when I realised I didn't have my laptop bag.

    I ran back to the train (it was at it's ending station) and ran through the carriages looking for my bag and it was gone. I reported it missing but it never turned up. I was gutted :-(

    Obviously my work were more concerned about by non-encrypted laptop than my Filofax, but I don't think they realised quite how much work I had done in my Filofax. The guy who works for me found it quite amusing that I was totally lost without it, seeing as before I had the Filofax my desk and work always looked to be in complete chaos and yet I still managed to get my work done, but once I'd got organised (even though only for a short time) without the Filofax I just sat there trying to work out what the hell I was supposed to be doing :o)

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  10. LucyLastic (All Things Stationery)04 May, 2012 12:53

    Not sure if anybody's interested but I found some real bargain Filofaxes and Filofax diaries today. I've blogged about it here:

    http://allthingsstationery.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/bargain-filofaxes-filofax-diaries-what.html

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  11. Nia04 May, 2012 13:57

    Luckily I've not yet lost a Filofax! and I'm always extra cautious about not putting very many personal details into mine, at the most it would be name and an email address on my 'If lost, please return to..' page. I've always been a little paranoid about things like this, and never keep a written record of passwords or anything.

    I wanted to give the Danish Filofax website a little mention! I've ordered from them a few times now because they always have much better sales on than the UK site - I've been after a compact Chameleon for ages! and as the other Chameleons are on sale I assumed that the compact size would be as well (at Neal Street) - no such luck. So I looked on the Danish site and found they were still on 50% off! and postage is incredibly reasonable, fast delivery as well.

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  12. LucyLastic (All Things Stationery)04 May, 2012 14:16

    Nia - I would absolutely love a compact chameleon! But how much are they in pounds and what about postage to the UK??? I'm a bit nervous about ordering from them because of the language barrier though . . .

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    1. Nia04 May, 2012 15:45

      I paid £37.37 in total (converted by Paypal from Danish Krone) which included the cost of the compact Chameleon itself, and the postage which was around £6. I've had no problems at all ordering through the site previously, but I'd imagine that they will have english-speakers working for them is something were to go wrong! And if you use the Google Chrome web browser, it will translate the whole site for you into English so that's no bother.

      I'm much happier ordering from them than paying £58 for a full price compact Chameleon from the Neal Street store, and potentially having to pay £7 on top of that for them to post it to me!

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    2. LucyLastic (All Things Stationery)04 May, 2012 16:57

      Ooooooooo thanks Nia, I'm so tempted now!!! I use Firefox and find it only translates the homepage, so I'll try Chrome. Thanks for the info x

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    3. LucyLastic (All Things Stationery)29 May, 2012 09:33

      I did it! After waiting patiently for nearly a month, I ordered one last night! Fingers crossed it will arrive in one piece. Total was £36.78 including overseas shipping, very impressive! Now to sell my Teal Personal Finchley to fund it. Thanks for the tip Nia x

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  13. John04 May, 2012 14:23

    I haven't lost one recently, but in organizing my archives for a recent relocation, I came across a storage binder and loose sheets of Pocket journaling and project notes from approx 1997-1998. I don't currently have a Pocket binder, and for life of me don't remember buying or handling one, though that was a long time ago. . .

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  14. Missus Aka (Christa)04 May, 2012 15:00

    Steve - do you know if city organiser would do the 15% discount that they do online in store when we go for the philofaxy meet up?

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    1. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 15:08

      The promotion code finished at the end of April. I'm not aware yet of a new code for May onwards. But email CO and ask. No harm in asking...

      Steve

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    2. LucyLastic (All Things Stationery)05 May, 2012 09:04

      The old code is still working . . . I just tried it . . . sssshhhhhhh!

      Delete
  15. Consiliumque04 May, 2012 15:27

    Hi folks
    I have been following this blog for quite some while now (in DK there is no site similar to this) - and I must say it is fantastic to see how others are managing their life.. both privately and work related..
    - and also, you all have so many good ideas that one must try :)

    But- here is my problem..
    I have been using a Domino personal for several years now - and I have figured out a way to manage my work/-and personal life in a way that fits me perfect.. you might get a insight into this one day :)

    But anyways.. I am now considering exchanging the personal size with an A5 size as the amount of projects I am managing is increasing.. but I still want the Domino style as I really like the flexible string..
    BUT.. is it true that I can get any fill for A5 in the standard yellow filofax colour?

    /Pia

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    1. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 16:06

      Pia...
      Welcome to Philofaxy...

      May I ask the address of the Danish site?

      Steve

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    2. Consiliumque04 May, 2012 16:21

      .. Thanks Steve
      - but as I tried to say there is NO site similar to this.. Unfourtuantly :(

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    3. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 16:37

      Ah sorry I misread the comment!!

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  16. Steph04 May, 2012 16:35

    I have not had the misfortune of losing my filofax, and to those that have my condolences. I couldn't imagine being without mine.
    On a side note I am waiting for my compact Chameleon to arrive, I ordered it almost 2 weeks ago from the filofax US site, and it still isn't here. I am growing impatient. I can't wait to see it. I have never had to wait this long for an order from there before.

    I also wanted to thank everyone and Steve especially for checking out my blog post on my filofax a few weeks ago. It really meant a lot and boosted my confidence greatly. So thank you again. I love being a part of this filofamily!

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    1. terriknits04 May, 2012 21:18

      Steph, did you check out Pens & Leather before you bought? I think I told you in an email that I've had horrible service from FFUSA because to ship in Canada, they have to go through Letts Canada and their customer service is atrocious. I would rather go without a Filo than have to order from them. Pens & Leather have treated me like gold. Anyway, I hope it arrives soon! Looks like a lovely Filo!

      Delete
  17. Ojeaga04 May, 2012 17:15

    Lose my Filofax? That'd be a nightmare! Since 1988, I've always used one - I'm not sure what I'd do...

    By the way I just bought a great (so far) A5 6-hole punch on ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390311233082?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

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  18. Tflower1104 May, 2012 17:44

    Hi everyone- My fist comment- been reading this blog for like 3 months lol wats up anyway wow i think id feel really upset if i lost my filofax maybe i'd cry

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  19. Tflower1104 May, 2012 17:56

    my first spelling error, i meant to say " My first comment" not fist

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    1. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 17:57

      It's ok we all make the odd typos... and it's rude to point them out.....

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    2. Tflower1105 May, 2012 16:23

      ok safe for tellin me didn't know that lol

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  20. Nan04 May, 2012 18:08

    Re: Soaking fountain pens in water: Be careful if the pen has any metal parts, such as the clip. These can rust if left in water overnight. I'd limit it to a few hours.

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    1. Steve Morton04 May, 2012 18:12

      I wonder if Isopropyl alcohol would be better. You can use it for cleaning tape heads and other similar delicate electronic things so I would think it would be ok on a pen, may be with a tiny amount of detergent. Then flushed through with clean isopropyl alcohol and then left to dry.

      I have some cleaner for my Rotring technical drawing pens I will see what it says on the packet.

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    2. Yu04 May, 2012 19:29

      About the metal part (nib). It's a Lamy, so just remove the nib and clean it separately and do the overnight on the rest. But yes, beware of rust. I have three Lamy fountain pens (Logo, Safari and Vista). I use the full-soak-and-flush method on the plastic ones, after removing the nib, and it's been working so far. But it really depends on how dried up/crystallized the ink is. Like someone said; the water should be clear before you stop. :)

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    3. Yu04 May, 2012 19:35

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. terriknits04 May, 2012 19:27

    aaahhhh - having massive "monthly calendar" fail for my work A5. My hacked Month on Two Pages Horizontal is not working! Trying to see how I can tweak Outlook to make it all better.

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  22. Arnold.DeRoy04 May, 2012 23:26

    Sorry about the lost of your Filo.

    Had mine stolen from my car (broke the window). and was beside myself. Had all the contact info, if found etc. even had my passport in the rear pocket (work related travel to US). Have not been able to recreate the full contains (daily notes, future appointments etc).

    Now have to replace a Scada which is no longer available for a Holborn. Will have to start backing up notes (photocopy or scan) just in case.

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  23. Doris05 May, 2012 01:02

    To those who have lost their filo, I can only imagine the heartbreak/ache. I've never lost mine, thankfully. I'm working on a "project" right now though to create a Master filo that stays at home, with a Satellite filo for just the contents that are needed when out and about. It could be as simple as lifting the contents of the Master into the Satellite, depending on the time away from home, and the purpose of the trip, whether meeting with someone, shopping, or what ever else.

    I don't work full-time, so this will be a different scenario for most. And it may work to keep "unduplicatable" data/contents at home, in case I lose my filo.

    Does this make sense? Hope I was clear (:

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  24. Shanti (aka Shanananana)07 May, 2012 07:42

    Security: you could consider having a unique e-mail address you set up, maybe with Gmail, that you ask the person finding your Fax to use - set it to forward to your main address and never use it for anyone else. And maybe mention a modest reward, eg $20 / £20?

    And I'm sorry to hear your news there Ray, I hope it turns up against the odds, I can imagine how upsetting it is!

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