Writing vs. Typing

I am a writer and I am also an expert when it comes to computers. However, I do still prefer to actually write with a pen and paper than type.

1. Do you think many people write with a pen and paper?

Me - I think a lot of people have given up writing with a pen and paper since the invention of personal computers.

Jen – I think a lot of people still write with a pen and paper. I used to work for several larger companies and a lot of the others who worked there would use a pen and paper to do up their drafts or just to jot down their thoughts before typing it out.

Me – The companies I have worked for usually use computers. The job I have right now, we very rarely use pen and paper, unless it is to write down what we want for lunch, hee hee.

Jen - Every company is different.

Me - Maybe it depends on the type of companies we have worked for, which have been very, very different.

Jen - That is probably true.

2. Do you think writing is a dying art?

Me - I do think a lot of people are trying to keep writing alive. I, myself, find writing very relaxing. I also find that I am more creative when I write.

Jen – It’s not that people are trying to keep writing from becoming a dying art. It’s that, like you, most people enjoy the feel of the pen on paper and are more creative when they are writing. Others, also, find it relaxing to write. I don’t think writing is a dying art, I think it is going to be around for the long run.

3. Do you think writing should be taught in school?

Me - I definitely think that writing should be taught in schools. I think it is important to keep writing alive. Writing has been done for centuries and I would hope it is done for centuries more.

Jen – I agree and I know it will be around for centuries more it’s not dying like you think.

4. Do you think writing is better than typing?

Me - I think writing is slower than typing but also I think writing is more personal. I can't really say that writing is better though. I just prefer it.

Jen – Writing is better outside the workforce but I don’t think it belongs in the workforce or anywhere where it wouldn’t be considered personal. Most people cannot read other peoples writing because it is too messy.

Me - I think doctors are the worst victims for this and I for one am so glad to see that doctors are now using computers to type out their prescriptions because I honestly don't know how a pharmacist could ever read a doctor's handwriting.

5. What are your final thoughts on writing versus typing?

Me - I think we should make an effort to write more. There are so many ways that we can convert the written word to text, so, if you need to have what you have written converted into text, a scanner with OCR software or even a digital pen would work.

Jen – I agree, but do you realize how expensive that stuff is? Most people and companies will not be able to afford it just so that people can write while at work than convert it when they could have just typed it up to begin with.

Me – I guess I have to agree with you on that one. I do know that OCR software can be very expensive. Digital pens run about $100, so I don’t think that is so bad. The first digital pen I had, the OCR software that came with it, was a bit iffy. It wasn’t very good at recognizing what I had written. However, my new digital pen is so much better. It seems to recognize about 90% of what I have written. My handwriting is not the best so I am rather amazed at how good it works. I do remember my Grandmother has the best handwriting of anyone I have ever met. She is almost 100 years old so I am not sure how much she writes now. I remember every single letter she wrote
was just perfect.

Jen - Say you have a small company of 100 people. That is $1,000.00 just for the digital pens. The larger the company the more it would cost.

Me - 100 X 100 is actually $10,000, so therefore, it would be a lot more expensive.

Jen - Well you just proved my point for me.

Me - Yes, I know I did, hee hee.