Hipster PDA
Encyclopedia
The Hipster PDA is a paper-based personal organizer
, popularized by Merlin Mann
. Originally a tongue-in-cheek
reaction to the increasing expense and complexity of personal digital assistants, the Hipster
PDA
(said to stand for "Parietal
Disgorgement Aid" and often abbreviated to "hPDA") simply comprises a sheaf of index card
s held together with a binder clip
. Following widespread coverage in the media and blogs, the hPDA has become a popular personal management tool particularly with followers of David Allen
's Getting Things Done
methodology.
Although it began as a joke, or perhaps a statement about technology fetishism, the Hipster PDA has rapidly gained popularity with serious users, with hundreds posting pictures of their customized hPDAs on photo sharing
sites and exchanging tips on Internet
mailing lists. Advocates of the hPDA claim that it is a cheap, lightweight, freeform organizer that doesn't need batteries and is unlikely to be stolen. Enthusiasts also design and share index-card-size printable templates for storing contacts, to-do lists, calendars, notes, project plans, and so on.
A Hipster Nano PDA utilizes business cards with blank backs and one that has a calendar on the back.
Personal organizer
A personal organizer, day planner, personal analog assistant, or personal planner is a small book/binder, designed to be portable, usually containing a diary, calendar, address book, and other sections usually including blank paper. It may also include pages with useful information, such as maps,...
, popularized by Merlin Mann
Merlin Mann
Merlin Dean Mann III writes the blog . He received a B.A. from New College of Florida, and he currently resides in San Francisco, California with his wife, Madeline Mann, and their daughter, .-Writing:...
. Originally a tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
reaction to the increasing expense and complexity of personal digital assistants, the Hipster
Hipster (contemporary subculture)
Hipsters are a subculture of young, recently settled urban middle class adults and older teenagers with musical interests mainly in alternative rock that appeared in the 1990s...
PDA
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
(said to stand for "Parietal
Parietal lobe
The parietal lobe is a part of the Brain positioned above the occipital lobe and behind the frontal lobe.The parietal lobe integrates sensory information from different modalities, particularly determining spatial sense and navigation. For example, it comprises somatosensory cortex and the...
Disgorgement Aid" and often abbreviated to "hPDA") simply comprises a sheaf of index card
Index card
An index card consists of heavy paper stock cut to a standard size, used for recording and storing small amounts of discrete data. It was invented by Carl Linnaeus, around 1760....
s held together with a binder clip
Binder clip
A binder clip, or a banker's clip or foldover clip, is a simple device for binding sheets of paper together. It leaves the paper intact and can be removed quickly and easily, unlike the staple...
. Following widespread coverage in the media and blogs, the hPDA has become a popular personal management tool particularly with followers of David Allen
David Allen (author)
David Allen is a productivity consultant who is best known as the creator of the time management method known as "Getting Things Done" .He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana where he acted and won a state championship in debate...
's Getting Things Done
Getting Things Done
Getting Things Done is an organizational method created by productivity consultant David Allen, described in a book of the same name....
methodology.
Although it began as a joke, or perhaps a statement about technology fetishism, the Hipster PDA has rapidly gained popularity with serious users, with hundreds posting pictures of their customized hPDAs on photo sharing
Photo sharing
Photo sharing is the publishing or transfer of a user's digital photos online, thus enabling the user to share them with others . This function is provided through both websites and applications that facilitate the upload and display of images...
sites and exchanging tips on Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
mailing lists. Advocates of the hPDA claim that it is a cheap, lightweight, freeform organizer that doesn't need batteries and is unlikely to be stolen. Enthusiasts also design and share index-card-size printable templates for storing contacts, to-do lists, calendars, notes, project plans, and so on.
A Hipster Nano PDA utilizes business cards with blank backs and one that has a calendar on the back.