It seems that a lot of people--myself included--use 3 x 5 cards. Just look at all the threads regarding the quest for the perfect 3x5 card.

It seems to me that the choice of the best 3x5 card depends on the use of the card.

So.....

What is the primary use of your 3x5 cards? Quick notes that are later discarded? Longer term notes to be kept in a box for later use? Communication with other people (lists, etc.)?

I primarily use my cards for quick notes that are usually discarded within a few hours. The second most common use is to make quick lists for my employees to follow up on. Lastly, I have a few notes that I have for longer term use, but I will at some point need to transcribe them to a more permanent form.

For my quickie, soon-to-be-disposed notes, I am essentially using the card as a form of scratch paper. I guess performance is not so important in those cases, and price would be an more important factor.

How about you?

My usage is similar to yours, so when use up my stock of Levenger card I am going to get cheaper alternatives. Got to go to K-Mart and find Alco one.

Kenny -

My use of 3x5 cards is about like yours - short term use. I used to use various sizes of scratch pad paper, but started using 3x5s after reading David's Allen's Getting Things Done. I like the 3x5s better than scratch pads because the size is uniform and the cardstock holds up better than scratch paper.

I use cards for "to do" lists and shopping lists. Of course, these are discarded quickly. I have a little wooden file box [for 3x5s] near my desk with alphabet dividers. I use this for addresses as well as memos - this being the only way I use them on a long term basis. I'm always looking for cheap, FP friendly cards since even my long term use of them is for my personal use - not seen by anybody else.

Judybug

Percentages are guesses, but:
75% short term notes
20% long term notes kept in card file
5% notes given to others

Uses 2 and 3 set a minimum quality level, use 1, a cost sensitivity.
I'd prefer one card that is adequate for all three, but don't feel I've found it (Alco is close, but it didn't work as well for me as others). I still have a few Levenger cards left over and reserve them for uses 2 and 3.

I'm also starting to use the PocketMod system for short term notes.

I guess my main use, like the rest of you, is for short-term notes, and I go through a lot of cards that way. I do keep some records in a file box that may have to last while, too. I go with cheaper cards for economy... Top Flight cards are nice to write on, but rather thin.

Bill

Also, quick jotted notes. I do love the feel of the Crane 3x5s, but I feel almost guilty at just using for a quick jotted "to-do" that I'll discard in next day or two.

I use them for daily next-action lists, quick-reference data and quick notes to others. Also as emergency namecards and for quick poems.

I use them for all of the above. A writer (be it the great American novel or just one's own journal) must have paper. Here with the usual department store brands, I've found the fp friendliness to be hit or miss. Nice when it hits, feathery when it doesn't. I'd like to know of a mid-range alternative (i.e. lower cost than Levengers) that consistently performs since I archive the cards that become idea cards...........

I had used them for quick notes/driving directions/shopping and to do lists for years and just kept them loose in my shirt pocket.

Back in January I stopped in at Flax Pen To Paper in Los Angeles and picked up a leather card case that the salesperson said only used the high end cards, I of course whipped out a 3x5 standard Walgreens index card and it fit like a charm.

Bought the leather holder, and the 50 premium cards that came with it, for something like $25. Way more upscale now in my pedestrian usage of index cards from this nice leather case.

It turns out it's a almost direct copy of the Levenger Pocket Briefcase for about 13 dollars less.

http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PROD...398%7CLevel=2-3

The only differences are the cards on the face of it are held in with corner pockets and not two leather strips top and bottom like the Levenger.

Joe

I use mine pretty much like everyone else. Someone in another recent thread recently recommended a cheap brand (Alco) available at KMart. I tired them, and they are great. I made a super business card template, and printed a bunch that look like the Levenger's gridded cards; but they work better.

Last weekend I found a knock-off of the Levenger Pocket Briefcase at a closeout chain called Tuesday Morning. It was $5.99 or $6.99. It has a different business card holder, but otherwise is designed for use with 3x5 cards. For the price, you can't beat it.

Like the rest of you, I use them for short lists and things of that nature. Disposable.

I have, however, also started using these little "Wallet Writer" cards for real quick notes to others. It's a Levenger product, 2/5x3.5 in. - the size of a standard business card. My handwriting is relatively small and as such, I can fit a fair bit on them. LOVE THOSE CARDS!!! Like others have noted, the Levenger cards are thirsty and do end up feathering a bit, but if using a fine enough point, I don't find that it bothers me that much.

I use 3x5 cards with the Levenger Pocket Briefcase. Quite a handy thing for organizing new/used cards had having one ready and properly supported for quick notes.

I also ordered a Levenger Pocket Briefcase, but it has not arrived yet.

I'll still keep my PDA for phone numbers and appointments, but real writing is preferable to me now that I have some nice FPs!

Staples now carries Oxford padded 3x5 index cards with the lines running the short way (like Levengers). The paper quality is on par with their regular 3x5 cards, so expect some feathering if you look closely. But, they are less than $2.00 per hundred and the pad configuration keeps them neatly together.

Mike