Comment by namelosw | Hacker News Reader

Comment by namelosw | Hacker News Reader

I don't have problems with phones but I have problems with computers - I was usually ended up with HN and YouTube when I tried to learning/writing/programming for side projects.

Then I recall I read from somewhere that Donald Knuth prefers pen and paper to computer. I tried it and it did work for me. I just turn off the computer and use pen and paper/book/printed stuff most of the time. When I have to use the computer I leave the network cable unplugged and finish it quick; When I have to use the internet, I write down what I going to do and do it then turn off the computer; I only check HN or YouTube on meal breaks or before sleep.

I found programming with pen and paper is surprisingly effective, and arguably makes the system better designed. Reading printed code and take notes in diagrams like half a century ago make me understand better (I don't actually print everything, just collect those parts I find important to an editor then print). Turn-on computer on demand feels like going back to the lab from the dorm when the idea struck. All are slower but make steady progress, and it's enjoyable. Much better than time wasted in vain.

As in hindsight, I don't think I'm addicted because I don't have withdrawal symptoms - I don't get uncomfortable when I'm not using a computer or the Internet. It's just those websites are good at grasping my attention. If that's your case, just turn it off or lock your phone away and only get it when you need your online bank. But if you do have withdrawal symptoms, you probably need to ask professionals to address them.

It seems like such an obvious/silly thing, but I have found that having a nice large desk space with a good chair and lighting with no single computing device on it is a pretty powerful thing when you've become addicted that way. At least it's useful as a place to read books and magazines, and to sketch stuff on paper.

For the past 25 years, my best (and often only) desk at home has had an Internet-connected desktop computer with the largest/best screen I could afford placed directly in front of the chair.

I've been trying out different placements for this non-computing desk, but I think the best place may actually be just next to the main "computing" desk. Too far away and I end up not using it that much.

You might also try a monitor arm that allows you to swing your monitor away to the side. Mine is set up so that it swings behind my paper file stand and I hardly feel it's presence when I'm taking pen to paper.

I don't like sitting by the computer, so I usually go on a sofa or somewhere comfy and just stare at the wall until I come up with what exactly I need to program. Sometimes I use pen and paper, or more recently reMarkable. Then I get on the computer and sprint through the implementation and all tests etc. I cannot do that when working in the office - people think I am lazy and don't work. I hate that you are forced to sit by the stupid machine. Since I won't code anything until I know exactly what to do, I tend to just browse stuff on auto-pilot not event thinking what I am looking at the screen. That as well make coworkers think I am lazy. I feel anxious when I think that I may be required to be coming back. I'll definitely quit if they start pushing hard.

I like your idea of offline paper-based programming for side projects and one-man-projects. However it becomes very difficult to do any of that in a group of people in the middle of a pendamic. But will give it a try. Thanks!

Why would it be difficult?

You just use a pen to bring your algorithms or designs on paper. And optional you print out code you are currently working on.

That works when working alone, but also with many people. Because of course in the end - you use the computer to actually type your code in.

That makes sense but I can understand it being disruptive in group projects because any change to the method effects the whole group. If you're used to remote designing in a group call with Google docs or something, trying to go to pen and paper just wouldn't be possible until everyone was in the same place again.

For single person things though I definitely understand and respect the utility.

Try the Neo Smartpen or Remarkable Tablet. They both let you write and share that. They also both let you present. Those presentations feel magical to do over Zoom.

Can you share your experience presenting with the Remarkable, if you have such an experience?

It actually works quite well as it's advertised. It's a nice place to write notes.

It's a good reader for individual docs and articles. The gesture recognition isn't perfect, but it's not bad. The software is getting better regularly. I tried installing an ereader (koreader? I forget the name) but it needed gestures that were tricky to pull off (for a task switcher).

Is most powerful feature is it's presence. It's just relaxing to look at instead of a screen.

If you're thinking of one, get it for what it's advertised for. If you want an epaper general purpose tablet, get a boox. I went with remarkable because (a) I liked the use case, I've had Android tablets in the past and they suck; and (b) it's open enough that it'll stay usable even if the company stopped caring.

TBH I'm not sure if it is a good idea for teams.

For me, the idea of being offline is just a way to:

1. Get away with distractions

2. make side projects enjoyable and avoid burnout because it doesn't feel like another job

3. make steady progress because of 2

Because the major problem for side projects or solo developers is not productivity, it's they either get distracted or burn out then abandon projects.

People who work in teams mostly have fewer of these issues because they are usually being accounted. Plus modern technologies did drastically improved how organizations exchange information, as opposed to pure productivity gain (just try to compare modern organizations with Office-like software and Internet connections, to paper-based government systems a century ago). So you probably need technologies to efficiently exchange information in teams, but not so much as an individual.

This is the exact same problem I have with writing. Whenever I sit down to write - I find that work, notifications, heck the entire machine gets in the way. I've now reverted to pen and paper at least for now. It seems like a great way to get into a flow state - even if antithetical to active changes. At the same time I get to use my fountain pens, so that makes me happy.

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