Philofaxy: September 2018

30 September 2018

A date for your diary - 7 October 2018

We are going to run another conference round-table voice/video chat using Skype.

When? - Sunday 7 October at the following times:

Los Angeles 8:00 am,
Denver 9:00 am,
Dallas 10:00 am,
New York 11:00 am,
London 4:00 pm,
Paris 5:00 pm etc.

Do not worry if you aren't available at the start of the session as it lasts 2-3 hours so pop up when you are available and say hello.

Where? - an on-line chat using Skype. with voice and video (if you wish)

What do I need? - just a micro-phone and some head phones(in ear phones work fine) and a free Skype account. Using headphones or earphone reduces 'echo' on the call. Video is optional, but a few of us will be on video as well.

Who - All of you... connect up with Philofaxy and we will attempt to get as many of us linked in to the audio conference as possible. Come and listen if you don't want to chat. What do we talk about? Filofax stuff... but anything else as well. It's like long lost friends meeting up for coffee and a catch up.. but don't worry if you have never joined in before... you are an old friend too!

If you have any questions you want to ask then please let us know in the group or before we start.

How -

Connect to Philofaxy by firstly searching for Philofaxy in Skype, I will then add you as a contact.
Then 'Send Contact Request', I will then add you in to the chat room.
Then if you request it, I can add you to the audio conference as well. But if you just want to chat via keyboard that's fine. That way it's slightly less hectic for me!

Come and join in the fun, even if you only pop in to say hello... but don't be afraid to join in the discussion.

As with previous round-tables there will also be a parallel text chat room going at the same time as the voice conference, so you can listen to the voice chat and type if you wish, just mute your microphone in Skype

If you need any assistance setting up Skype, please pop a comment in this post and I will try and help you get one line. Skype is free for computer to computer calls....

Here is my post on how to improve your Skype audio with headphones or a headset.

Hope to be chatting with you on Sunday 7 October 2018.

29 September 2018

Web Finds - 29 September 2018

So I hope you have had a good week

So now it is time to enjoy a few blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself comfortable for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:

So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title...
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

28 September 2018

Free For All Friday No 515 by Laurie

A few weeks ago I was at a back-to-school parents' coffee and had a Filofax-in-the-wild moment!

The lady heading the coffee pulled out her black A5 Domino Filofax, and I pulled out my duck egg A5 Domino Soft! We chatted for just a few minutes about the glories of Filofax and stationery in general before the meeting got underway.

During the meeting she and I both used our Filofax several times, to write in and refer to dates, and she referenced her notes for the meeting.

At one point she asked if I had a sticky note, which of course I did, on my Filofax sticky notes dashboard.

Later in the meeting we confirmed a meeting the following week about the upcoming class trip. I already had the date and time written in, but not the location so I opened my Filofax again to write in the location. Everyone's eyes got wide when they saw my custom weekly pages filled with writing. (In case you are interested in which pages I use, you can see them here, scroll right to number 3/5.)

After the meeting I asked one of the moms if her son would be at my son's birthday party the next weekend. She confirmed and I wrote the details on the designated birthday party page in, of course, my Filofax!

Have you spotted other Filofax users in the wild or gotten to chat with others about their Filofax lately?

And as always, feel free to discuss and/ or ask anything ring binder organizer related!

27 September 2018

Guest Post – Time of change by gmax

Thank you to Max for this guest post.

I’m not one for undertaking changes lightly – my faithful Winchester 4CLF 7/8 BK had been in service for around 30 years, and has survived with only a few signs of wear.

Worn pen holder on 7/8” Winchester

Most of that time it’s been “over-stuffed”, making it rather hard to get pages in and out, and I realised towards the end of last year that I seldom took it out of the house any longer.

So, after wrestling mentally for a while, I decided to switch to a very similar 5/4” large ring model, figuring that the increased size would be less of a problem now that I didn’t carry it much out and about.

I’d bought a slightly used 5/4” one on eBay, and just had to repair the snap fastener cover.

Large 5/4” ring Winchester

My “over-stuffed” 7/8” Winchester with its 5/4” replacement

According to the catalogues, a 7/8” model will hold 200 leaves, while a 5/4” model will take 300.

Certainly the capacity is more suitable in my case, as you can see below.

Contents transferred to the larger model

I found it very hard to actually make the switch – it’s surprising how much loyalty an inanimate object can inspire! But I’m very happy now with the “new” model – so much easier to work with overall.

Even changing leaves at the very front or back is possible now

For reference, here’s a photo comparison including a ½” (120 leaf) model as well

Three Sizes of Winchester

And of course if you reduce the number of pages it will be easy to swap back to the smaller ring size organiser!

26 September 2018

Web Finds - 26 September 2018

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. Also this video too Webfinds
Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.

You might also be interested in Planner Spread Love on Facebook.

Enjoy

25 September 2018

Free For All Tuesday - No. 399

So what questions or discussion points have you got for us today?

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced user of organisers, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, opinions etc.

Make today the one day you post a comment or a question.

It is Tuesday after all so fire away.

24 September 2018

Maintaining Your Organiser(s)

Caring for your organiser or organisers if you have few isn't something you need to do that often.

However, it doesn't harm to put a reminder in your diary to go through your collection once a year and check them over and give them a clean and inspection.

I'm about to do my annual check of my 'collection', which will involve emptying each shelf of my cupboard. Then go through each box in turn and carry out the following actions.

Empty the contents out of the pockets and remove anything from the rings. Although I tend to store most of mine empty.
Visually inspect the exterior and interior and note any loose stitching and any damage.
Check the rings for any gaps or mis-alignment.
Open and close the rings a few times using the tabs of course and then recheck the rings.
Dust the interior and wipe the exterior with a clean microfibre cloth.
Treat with leather balm if required.

For the visual checks you only need the Mark 1 Eye Ball! Or a magnifier, if like me you can hardly focus close these days!

If you spot any loose stitching a little spot of clear nail varnish or glue, the smallest spot possible will stop it getting any worse.

When checking the rings also use your fingers to feel for any rough transitions as these will catch on the paper as you turn the pages. Refer to our guide on fixing ring problems if required.

To dust the interior you can use my sticky tape trick to remove any paper dust from the textile interior or the raw leather backing. Here is a video on this technique.

If you need to treat the leather use a recognised leather care product, I use the products shown below, but other brands are just as acceptable, see what is available locally to you. Check the type of leather you have first.

Apply with a soft clean micro fibre cloth and use soft circular motions to get the balm in to the pours of the leather.

Beware not all leathers need or accept leather treatments, check with the manufacturer or test on a small not visible area first.

There is an excellent page on leather care here.

Of course when you have finished pop your pages back in again and you are ready to go for another year or so.

23 September 2018

Silent Sunday

Filofax York circa 1993

22 September 2018

Web Finds - 22 September 2018

So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title...
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

21 September 2018

Free For All Friday - No 514 by Steve

This time next week, I will be in London for the weekend, which will include a Philofaxy meet up on the Saturday.

I really look forward to these meet ups as it gives me some time to chat with other Philofaxy readers and sit and discuss how they use their organisers etc.

If you are free on Saturday 29th, why not come along if you are in or near London. We have some spaces left due to a few cancellations. Full details here.

As it is Friday you can of course discuss anything ring organiser related. Have a great weekend.

20 September 2018

Guest Post – A brief visit to a market town by gmax

Thank you to Max for this interesting guest post. Yet another model from the past that stems from the golden years of Filofax history.

Locations in the UK (and beyond) have long been a source of naming inspiration for Filofax models. In the 1980s we had the renowned Winchester of course, and up to around 1987 there was also Gloucester, as I’d described in a previous post.

It turns out that there’s another from that era, which has almost been lost in obscurity.

The only illustration I can offer is this artist’s impression, reproduced from a 1981 leaflet I once saw:

Like Winchester, this English market town is the home a well-known independent school. The model designation here is 5CL, and the interior is the same as the older-style (5CLF) Winchester models of the time. However, there is no fastener (“F”) or pen holder, so the external appearance would have been the same as a 6CL Gloucester.

Prior to 1980, under Norman & Hill, I suspect this style was designated K.199, and there were even earlier models in second-grade leather that were identified as N.99. Sadly, the Marlborough was discontinued in 1984, before Filofax sales really took off in large numbers.

19 September 2018

Web Finds - 19 September 2018

For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. Also this video too Webfinds
Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.

You might also be interested in Planner Spread Love on Facebook.

Enjoy

18 September 2018

Free For All Tuesday - No. 398

17 September 2018

B6 size ring bound organisers.

We are all familiar with Personal size organisers with their page size of 171mm x 95mm, it doesn't really match any of the ISO page sizes. It is a size of its own that has existed for about 100 years, so it is a standard in its own right really.

Deskfax organisers use paper that is B5 in size (250mm x 176mm) The B series of page sizes are a geometric mean of the A series page sizes, so for example B5 is between A4 and A5 in size. The page proportions are the same 1:1.4142 or the 1:√2.

As A5 is twice the size of A6, so B5 is twice the size of B6. Therefore B6 size paper is 176mm by 125mm.

It is a similar height to Personal size, but 30mm wider. This photograph shows the difference between A5, B6, A6, Personal size and Pocket size.

The B6 size has become very popular in the Travellers Notebook community. There are many covers made for the B6 size inserts and booklets. A few people have taken their personal size ring bound organisers, removed the rings and they will then take B6 size inserts.

What about B6 size ring bound organisers? So far I've not come across any from any of the 'regular' suppliers, but I would love you to prove me wrong!

However, there is the Van der Spek Custom range. Standard (personal size) can be specified with 13mm, 25mm or 30mm rings. All of these sizes can optionally be 'widened' in 1mm steps up to 30mm as an optional extra. 30 mm is the difference between Personal (95mm width) and B6 (125mm width).

So there is at least one supplier, are there others, please let us know in the comments please.

What about inserts? Well you will find plenty of downloads being sold on ETSY for Travellers Notebooks, but given that B6 is an ISO size, then the Philofaxy Diary Inserts can easily be scaled to print on B6 size paper.

When using the our A4 size inserts to print they need to be scaled using the following scaling factors:

Printing on A5 paper you need to scale the print to 71%
Printing on B5 size (Deskfax) paper the scale factor is 84%
Printing on B6 size paper the scale factor is 59%

Before closing this post I should also mention some other variations of Personal size that you will come across.

The original version of the six ring Deskfax - 171mm tall by 180mm wide.
Franklin Covey Compact - 171.5mm x 108mm (6.75 x 4.25 inches)
Personal 'Wide' - 171mm x 121mm (6.75 x 4.75 inches)
HBxWA5 - 171mm x 148mm wide - Personal size high, by A5 width.

The Personal Wide an 'invention' of some of the new ring bound organiser makers such as Foxy Fix and others, it is very close to B6 size, but not exactly B6.

Naturally you should observe the usual caution when buying organisers or inserts that are labelled as A6, B6 etc they are often regular Personal size and not A6 or B6 at all!

Would you try out a B6 organiser if one was available at an affordable price?

I would like to thank the members of the Traveler's Notebook Forum group for their help in researching this post.

16 September 2018

Silent Sunday

Filofax Sandhurst Pocket

It also has a full width back pocket (not visible in this photo) 16mm rings

15 September 2018

Web Finds - 15 September 2018

So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title...
Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list.
For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

And have you tried reading one of my Flipboard magazines yet? It works great on a tablet or smart phone, but you can view them on a desktop machine as well. Be sure to Follow the ones you like and you will get notifications when I update them.

View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine.
View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine.
Enjoy

14 September 2018

Free for All Friday No. 513 by Nan

Today I had a planner failure. I had a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning. I was tired, so I allowed myself a few extra minutes of sleep, thinking that the doctor's office was just a few minutes away, in the local medical building where all my doctors are located.

Nope. This doctor works out of a different office, 45 minutes away. Sheepishly, I had to call the office and explain that I would be 45 minutes late. They were very understanding, but had to reschedule my appointment. In the future, I'll make sure to record the location of all my appointments!

Have you had any planner snafus lately? Of course, since it's Friday, all ring-bound planner discussion is welcome.

13 September 2018

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 79

Improving Your Planning Productivity.

Making small changes to your planning and every day routines can bring about improvements to your overall productivity.

If you have ideas for future episodes, please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions.
03:00 - 16 Daily Habits to Help Improve Your Planning Productivity - Blog Post.
04:40 - Personal Development for Smart People - Steve Pavlina.
05:00 - Habits.
07:00 - What is Planning.
08:30 - Times in the day for peak performance.
12:30 - Time log.
16:00 - No communications times.
19:00 - Estimation to completion.
22:00 - Routines.
24:30 - GTD reviews.
26:30 - Building new habits.
28:30 - Evolve your changes.

Episode 79 - Improving Your Planning Productivity.

A direct download is also available here: Episode79.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.

Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, ThroatPunchResumes.com, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

Remember if you have liked this podcast, don't forget to like it, share it and subscribe to the podcast.

Previous Episodes:

2018

78 - Ten reasons why you have stopped planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
77 - Letting Your Planner Take The Strain - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
76 - The Franken Flex - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
75 - Decluttering - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
74 - Engagement - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
73 - Reflection and Review - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
72 - Organisation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
71 - Clarification - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
70 - Capture - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
69 - How to do nothing - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
68 - Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
67 - Tones versus Pulses - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

2017

66 - Planning and Execution - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
65 - The Power of Habit - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
64 - Planning for the end of the year - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
63 - Planning For Unexpected Life Events - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
62 - Staying in two sizes of planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
61 - Staying in one size of planner. - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
60 - Functional Planning - Macro and Micro Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
59 - PlannerCon Europe - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
58 - Speeding up by slowing down - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
57 - To Do Lists and Diary Pages - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
56 - Hints and Tips on making planner videos - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
55 - Keeping up to date - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
54 - Interview with Jennifer Powell at PlannerCon - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
53 - Conferences and Meet Ups - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
52 - The Magic of Contextualising Your Life - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
51 - Guest Interview - Rose Orchard - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
50 - Organising your significant other - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
49 - Creating the ultimate planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
48 - Getting past New Years resolutions - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
47 - How to understand being a planner newbie - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
46 - Buying and Selling 101 - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
45 - A5 or A6 - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
44 - End of Year - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

2016

43 - Digital Planning vs Analogue Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
42 - Planning vs Organising - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
41 - Short and Long Term Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
40 - Good and Bad Planner Habits - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
39 - Tackling Planner Size Change - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
38 - Self-Improvement or Personal Development - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
37 - What is productivity anyway - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
36 - The Planner Community - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
35 - Wellness Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
34 - Listeners Question - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
33 - Pens and other writing instruments - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
32 - Proper storage, care and shipping of planners, rings etc - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
31 - Guest Interview - Louise Umeki - Plannercon 2017 - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
30 - Form Following Function - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
29 - Seasonal To Do Lists - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
28 - Making and keeping annual goals - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
27 - Organising the family - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
26 - Guest interview - Theresa Hall - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
25 - Guest interview - Ray Blake - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
24 - Defining the important things from the urgent things - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
23 - Guest interview with Rita Sedani - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
22 - Printing your own inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
21 - How to derail your planning system by over thinking - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
20 - Digital devices/services and your analogue planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
19 - What To Keep In Your 'Others' Tab - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
18 - Zombie Apocalypse Preparation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
17 - Managing Finances In Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
16 - Planning for those of us who actually can't live without planning, with guest co-host Carie Harling - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
15 - Automation Nirvana - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
14 - Work Life Balance and Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
13 - GTD Productivity And Using Your Paper Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
12 - Job Seeking and Keeping - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
11 - Planner Fail - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
10 - Planner Hacks - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
9 - Planner Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
8 - Choosing Inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
7 - How do you carry your planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
6 - Planners on the go - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
5 - Why would you pay more than the price of a Filofax? - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
4 - Using Your Planner To Create Permanent Habit Changes - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
3 - Getting on with two or more planners - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
2 - Where to start your planning journey and why - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
1 - What size and why.... - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf