The Notebook Addict

Quo Vadis Habana Review at RCP

My online buddy Murderface has finished up his review of the Quo Vadis Habana notebook at the Reciprocal Crap Exchange.  Now I just need to get off my bum and review the copy I have sitting right here on my desk.

Review: Rhodia Notepad

I received this Rhodia Staple Bound Notepad as a sample from Exaclair, Inc., and it is completely perfect for me.  With my love of micro tip pens, which I classify as under 0.5mm in width, I sometimes have a hard time finding paper that is receptive to such a fine point.  With this Rhodia, that is not problem at all.  All of my micro-tip pens get right to work as soon as they hit the paper.  On the flip side, the 0.5mm and wider tip pens work fine as well, but I noticed that they take a split second longer to dry than usual.  That won't affect me with this smaller size notepad (4.3 x 6.7 in.), but I may have to watch that if and when (and there will definitely be a when) I go to larger sized Rhodia products.

In the end, this is a very functional and useful notepad for me personally.  The styling of Rhodia products is great, and the paper is a pleasure to write on.  I look forward to trying out several more of their products.

Rhodia Staple Bound Notebook Specs:

# 80 g acid-free white vellum paper
# Pale violet lines
# 80 sheets
# Micro perforated for clear and easy removal
# Unique scored cover folds neatly over the back
# Stiff back cover makes writing or sketching easy

Pocket Manilla - Your Notebook on the Web

Pocket Manilla is a new blogging platform - I guess that is the best way to put it.  The aim is to create online notebooks styled after everyday paper journals.  From their website:

Just like a real notebook, your pocket manila has an unlimited number of uses. Use it as a journal, diary, idea bank, eco-blog, photo-album, portfolio, group-blog, e-zine, story book, directory, organizer, and more! It only takes a few clicks to come up with a colorful and unique space.

AppScout has a nice walkthrough of the site and features.  I have to admit it looks pretty cool, but I'm not sure I have time for yet another blog!

PocketManilla.com

AppScout - Pocket Manilla Puts Your Moleskine on the Web

Review: Exacompta Space 17 Planner

I received the Exacompta Space 17 Planner as a sample from Exaclair, Inc., the U.S. distributor for several popular brands of notebooks, including Clairefontaine, Rhodia, and Quo Vadis.  Since I am not a heavy planner user, I tend to lean towards pocket sized planners every year for general scheduling and lists, and the Space 17 fits the bill for me.

The first thing I noticed about the planner was how many features are packed into its 3 1/2" x 7" cover.  There are holiday schedules, weights and measures, international phone codes, a time zone map, notes pages, and an address book.  All of that, and I haven't even mentioned the meat of the planner, which is of course the calendars.  And that is calendars, plural.  By my count, there are four - 12 months weekly, 15 months monthly, plus annual and monthly planning calendars for 2009 and 2010.  See - I told you it was loaded!

The quality of the paper is very nice, and my 0.3mm Pentel Slicci is a perfect companion.  No bleeding, no feathering, and a very smooth writing experience.  There is a bit of see-through of the ink on the back of the page, but that is to be expected with the thinness of the paper.

Overall, this planner suits my needs perfectly, and I plan on putting it through the ringer in 2009.

Exacompta Space 17 Review

Monthly Calendar View

Planning Calendar View

Full specs:
    *  Weekly appointments on left; full page for notes and reminders on right
    * 12 months weekly, January to December
    * 15 months monthly, October to December
    * 8 AM to 7 PM schedule
    * Light and easy to carry
    * Fine ivory paper — lightweight but exceptionally strong
    * 55g, acid-free paper
    * Annual and Monthly planning calendars for 2009 and 2010