29 May 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 69

Any questions? Any Filofax questions? lots I hear.... good. This is of course your weekly opportunity to ask any Filofax related questions....

Fire away...

52 comments:

  1. [Steps forward, clears throat]

    Hi everyone, I've been using an A5 Metropol for the last month or two, after upgrading from personal size. I keep it on my desk at work, unclasped but closed, and I've noticed that the front is starting to slump to the left - I have to tug it to re-align the rings as the actual spine.

    Has anyone else had this problem? I don't think it's from overloading, as I only have the rings about half full (so far!).

    Thanks,
    Wendy

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    1. Could you post a photo somewhere (Flickr, photobox etc) to show us what you mean and may be we will be able to suggest a cure...

      Steve

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    2. Sure thing! Apologies for the poor lighting - it's winter here and my phone doesn't take great pics at the best of times.

      Here's the link (and thanks Ray for the coding know-how!). When you look down on it from above, there's a good 1-2 inch gap between where the front cover edge should sit over the back cover edge.

      Probably I'm being to fussy. As it is, I'm stuffing it fuller every day so maybe it'll be impossible to correct anyhow.

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    3. I know what you mean, my personal Malden does the same thing but only about a centimeter or so. I've honestly just learned to live with it as it doesn't seem to mess with the binder's quality over time!

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    4. Oh, well that's okay then! I had visions of the poor thing developing a curl on the back of the binder as it tried to keep itself closed. Or worse yet, the snap button giving up altogether.

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  2. I think I've had a breakthrough with the in-ring penloop idea brought up last week: I've employed a hole-punched Leuchtturm1917 penloop

    I whipped up a quick blog post of the experiment if you fancy a closer look.

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    1. Awesome! I shall definitely be experimenting in the next few days with these ideas.

      And is that a vintage matt black & gold Parker mechanical pencil I see there? If it is, I have the same model in my handbag Fax!

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  3. Why do I appear robe the only person who struggles to print A5 booklet duplex? I am so frustrated!! Tried to print one of the diary layouts, just a weeks worth for a trial and got almost everything write but the spaces for the holes are wrong :( I'm printing from a mac so the dialogue box is different from the normal adobe.

    To explain further I have to actually adjust the printer settings from within the adobe print dialogue box to even get duplex printing, it won't do it by just requesting from adobe. I was playing around for hours last night & still didn't get it right!

    Rant over - it just makes me feel so stupid for getting it wrong :(

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    1. Try opening the file with Preview, I don't have Adobe Reader loaded on my Mac, no need really. Still having problems let me know.

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    2. I can duplex print easily on preview but not booklet - so its fine with normal pages but prints diary pages all wrong - am I being stupid?

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    3. When you do a 'test print' for booklet is needs to be at least two weeks (four pages) otherwise it doesn't work.

      May be pop up on Skype and we can compare settings?

      Steve

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    4. There is a free downloadable programme caleed Nitro Pdf reader, which I have found great for typing into job application forms etc direct. Just thought I'd mention it as it's so very handy. If you want to you will probably be able to type important dates, birthdays etc directly into your diary.

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    5. I'm at work now Steve but I will have a look when I get home this evening and let you know. That could be my problem though, the quantity! I will try, thank you so much.

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    6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Not a question, and may have been posted already.

    Spotted this card in Paperchase t'other day and actually did laugh out loud in the middle of the shop, to the stares of confused assistants. If someone doesn't buy me this card for my 25th birthday this year I shall be disappointed!
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/monsterbeans/CIMG0073.jpg

    Thankfully I think Filofaxers have the required sense of humour :)

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    1. Hahaha! Some people really don't have a clue . . . I mentioned to a friend at the weekend that I'd just pop a note in my Filofax and he looked at me like I'd just grown an extra head. People actually mustn't realise how popular Filofaxes still are!

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    2. Great card...

      Lucy send your friend a link to our meet up post... that might convince them that Filofaxes are fun and very popular still!

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    3. I would do but he's an absolute technophobe . . . he only just manages to reply to my emails. Ask him to attach anything to them and he comes out in a hot sweat. To be fair though, he is a farmer . . .

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    4. I love the card... such a shame I had my birthday last week! I whipped out my filofax waiting for an interview yesterday and totally intimidated the other interviewees.... didn't get the job though. I lost out to a NQT. Apparently they are worth £3000 to a school in addition to any salary saved. Is that why they always win the post? Shame I've just spent a term clearing up the mess 3 NQTs on the trot can make....

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    5. NQT? Newly Qualified Teacher?

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    6. Love that card!!! I mention my Filofax and am amazed at the number of people who actually have no idea what a Filofax is... what is the world coming to? :o)

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  5. Slightly off topic . . . sorry . . . but I'm having real problems uploading photos on Blogger. To the point where it's putting me off doing it altogether! The photos always seem to load up the wrong way round even though they're fine on the viewer, then I have to faff about rotating them - often pointlessly - and then they become invisible so I have to guess which ones I'm uploading!!! It's soooooo frustrating.

    Am I the only one having these problems? I've just done a new post and it took me absolutely ages messing about with the photos! Is it just me???

    http://www.allthingsstationery.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/my-compact-pocket-raspberry-chameleon.html

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    1. Not just you. It's a big frustration, but there is a cure. Before you let your photos anywhere near blogger, make sure you rotate them in Windows. By that, I mean view the folder they sit it so you see them asa thumbnails, then right-click each and rotate it until it is oriented correctly. For the ones already oriented correctly, rotate them once in each direction anyway. They Blogger should behave when you upload them.

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    2. should read '...the folder they sit in..."

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    3. That's brilliant, thanks for that Ray! I thought I'd been doing something wrong. It's been putting me off doing blog posts because of all the messing about and time it takes me!!! My laptop nearly got thrown out of the window this morning LOL! Thanks again x

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  6. Others who are cat and pink lovers may like the Hello Kitty cutesy stuff as much as I do!! WH Smith have a super little sticky note pad and Asda an A5 spiral bound notebook.... so pages may be re- punched for an A5 Filofax. Same notebook, different cover design, double the price in John Lewis's I noticed!! Both just cheer my Filofax day along perfectly!!

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  7. Being one of the new followers of the blog, I like it very much. I read the blog already 2 months and I extremely happy to find other people with the same interest of mine. Although Filofax is not famous in my country at all, I found it by accident 2 years ago and now I feel myself addicted to it.
    In this connection, I would appreciate your valuble opinion about the products of FF. I was wondering between APEX Fuchsia A5 and Domino Violet A5. I read in an old post that the Domino Violet is not very violet, but I couldn't find much information about the advantages and the disadvantages of both models.

    Could you help me in my dilemma?

    Thank you very much in advance for all your efforts!

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    1. I don't have either model but a quick look on Google made me notice that the elastic on the Domino is horizontal across the binder, and on the Apex it runs vertical along the length.

      That might seems a silly observation :o) but if you're going to by shoving the binder into a briefcase or handbag, the orientation of the elastic might matter, if it gets snagged: I have noticed my Personal Finsbury with a press-stud opening has to be put in my bag with the spine lying down, or else it tends to catch and even get popped open as I'm walking about with it in my handbag.

      That's the only major difference I noticed, so hopefully people with more experience using them will have something more useful to add. And also, welcome to the site!

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    2. Another new follower here, thought I'd make a little input where I can..

      I haven't used either of these filofaxes myself, but I sell both of them and so have handled them a lot. The Domino is very lightweight compared to the leather models, although I haven't compared it in weight to the Apex. The main difference I see between them is the durability. The Domino's cover is much softer than the Apex, in the store I find them being damaged a lot even when they're quite new on the shelves. However I gave my mum a personal Domino about 3 years ago, and it looks as good as it ever did.

      The Apex by contrast has a more solid, rather plasticy cover (which is what leads me to think it may be a little heavier, but still as heavy as the leather ones... I think.) which seems like it will take a lot more wear and tear.

      I would make the decision based on how much you'll be carrying it around. If it's going to be in a bag constantly, you may find the Apex has more strength over time, or if you don't mind a "weathered" looking Domino, that would be fine also. But if it's going to be indoors at a desk most of the time (like my mum's) then a Domino would be perfectly good.

      My two cents! I hope it helps a little!

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  8. Has anyone got a Domino Baroque?
    One was for sale on eBay the other day and im guessing one of you lot bought it!
    It is any good?
    Also where on earth do i get one of those Aqua/Teal leather ones with the baroque on the inside - do they come in pocket sized?

    And i must confess ive been to every Paperchase, WHSmiths and loads of other stationary stores and i have yet to find a filo i liked :(

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    1. Hi Alice x, the leather Baroques are still available in some Filofax sites (France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, etc.) but in limited colors, and usually in pocket size. I'm in Asia so I got a pocket in pink from Hong Kong, and Singapore also still has them. Try the main Filofax site and you can be redirected to the others from there. (Or google them.)

      I guarantee you'll like the leather Baroques!

      Hope that helps.

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  9. The transparent fly leaf... do you put it at the front or at the back? or do you prefer to put one at the front and at the back?

    Poll?

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    1. I have just done a new post!
      http://the-wonderful-life-of-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/filofaxorganiser-accessories.html

      Now here is the thing - what exactly is the flyleaf for? Ive never understood it - is it to protect whats under it from running on the front/back pockets? Is it to remind you were something is like a bookmark.
      Ive never had one but was tempted to buy one simply to see what it was all about!

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    2. One at the front and back!!!

      Alice, i think it's just to protect the pages, that's what i use it for anyway, and its great for sticking post it notes to!!

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    3. It that it - just to protect? I thought it might have a more......i don't know special use maybe - post it note you say...hmmmm i might try that - i hate the tab bit though - i suppose i could make one if i get some acetate?

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    4. I use it in the front to decorate my filofax to add some color and pizzazz. Ok, not that much pizzazz. I attached a link to how I use my fly leaf.

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/azure819/7191184730/in/photostream

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    5. I have one in the front, and it is where I put all my Avery tabs and post-it note sheets for future use. I really like it.

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    6. Ohhh i see - i like the post it note idea - i could do with one which i could move in my week to view so i could stick things on it!!!

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    7. I've just added a poll to find out...

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    8. I have them anywhere where there's paper to protect. I also use them to stick pen loops on, adhesive pockets, post-its. I like both with and without the flyleaf, they have different uses for me.

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    9. I have one in the front to protect the paper, but in the very back of my Filofax I use the business card holders which do the job of protecting the paper in the back of the binder.

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    10. I'm exactly the same as Laurie & always have a flyleaf at the front & then the business card holder at the back in my filos.

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    11. Flyleaf at the front (except my handbag Fax, which has the front page & emergency contact deets inside the plastic envelope Filofax paper comes in, punched & sealed to be waterproof)though when my flyleafs get too scratched they then migrate to the back, and I make a new one from clear plastic for the front.

      I've been improvising lately making a wallet to tuck a notepad in for my 2 Personal-size binders that don't have a pocket in the back, by cutting the corner from a vinyl file folder, the same height as a standard insert and about 8mm wider, punching it along the open side, and popping a notepad in the opening at the top.

      It stops everything slumping and getting trapped under the rings, and adds a useful function.

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    12. PS I fixed the notepad to the DIY wallet with a tiny binder clip, I found some in a £1 shop that seemed almost too small to be useful, but they're actually really handy for things like this!

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    13. I wish the flyleaf were a little heavier to be able to use it as a 'page lifter' at the back of the binder. As a former Franklin Covey fanatic I am used to heavier acetate or plastic which were included with the binder (one in front, one in back). They were black though so didn't care for that. But they did protect the paper getting 'caught' under the rings and made it easy to flip to the front or back of the binder with ease. I notice that my paper gets caught under the rings at the back of my Finchley's so I took a 'page lift' from my old franklin covey binder and use it in the back of my filo. (The only one this works with though is the Personal size for hole alignment and had to cut it down as it was a bit wide.)

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    14. I've made my own fly leafs using Overhead Projector clear sheets. I've cut them to size and then punched them for which ever size. But any clear plastic that is rigid enough will be ok.

      Steve

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  10. Alice, try the European Filofax sites. I got one from France. They often have models which are not on the uk site. Jen

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    1. I found it on the Hong kong one i think but the postage was immense! Ill pop and have a look on France though thanks!

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    2. I've been looking at a filofax on the french website, it's just adding on customs charges too, soon bumps up the price!!

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    3. I found it on Homg Kong and emailed to ask if they would mail it to me - overall its jut shy of £60 with postage - so ill ahve to get saving!

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  11. Are the lines wider apart on A5 inserts? I really like my Personal, but the lines are too narrow. I write pretty big. While I don't want to move up, more room would be much appreciated.

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    1. From memory... most personal inserts are based on a 31 line standard 31 days in a month... I've just checked my A5 notepad... it is also 31 lines, but in a much higher page height 210 mm compared to 170mm so yes the lines are wider.

      Of course if you print your own you can have them any distance apart you want....

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