How to Build and Use Your Hipster PDA

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I [Heart] Hipster PDA

The Hipster PDA. A wonderfully simple, totally customizable, infinitely flexible, super affordable alternative to crackberries and their cousins.

Loved by hip GTDers everywhere, and made famous by Merlin Mann of 43Folders, the hPDA has formed a sort of cult following.

Here on this page you'll find all kinds of Hipster PDA Goodness. Learn how to make one, discover many different styles and uses, and see some wicked ways to trick yours out.

What is it?

hPDA on Wikipedia, the Free Encylopedia (wikipedia.org)

The Hipster PDA is a paper-based personal organizer. 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') simply comprises a stack of index cards held together with a binder clip. Following widespread coverage in the media and blogs, the Hipster PDA (abbreviated 'hPDA') has become a popular personal management tool particularly with geeks and followers of David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology and users of the Fisher Space Pen.

Advocates of the hPDA claim that it is a cheap, lightweight, free-form organizer that doesn't need batteries and is unlikely to be stolen. Critics cite the lack of integration with desktop PC productivity software and point out that there is no easy way to back up the often critical information stored in an hPDA.

Although it began as a joke, or perhaps a statement about technology fetishism, the Hipster PDA has rapidly gained a population of serious users, with hundreds posting pictures of their customized hPDAs on photo sharing sites and exchanging tips on Internet mailing lists. 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 (often given superfluously at trade shows) with blank backs and one that has a calendar on the back.

How to Build Your Basic Hipster PDA

a step-by-step

  1. Grab a stack of 20 or so blank white 3"x5" index cards.
  2. Fasten a small binder clip, the color of your choice, to one corner of the stack of cards.
  3. Clip a Pilot G2 fine point gel pen, in the ink color of your choice, to the opposite corner of the stack. (Some prefer the Fisher Space Pen, a fine choice indeed).
  4. You're ready to roll.

Hipster photos

inspiration for making your hPDA

Moleskine Hipster PDA Case-003

1

Moleskine Hipst... 1 point
Hipster PDA failure mode

2

Hipster PDA fai... 0 points
Patrick Star, Getting Things Done

3

Patrick Star, G... 0 points
25 Hipster PDA's

4

25 Hipster PDA'... 0 points
guinness

5

guinness 0 points
The Hipster PDA Keychain

6

The Hipster PDA... 0 points
Laundered hPDA

7

Laundered hPDA 0 points
Hipster PDA

8

Hipster PDA 0 points
Rich Duct Tape Exterior

9

Rich Duct Tape... 0 points
Pilot G-2 XS with Hipster PDA

10

Pilot G-2 XS wi... 0 points
Inside Flap (Notes/In)

11

Inside Flap (No... 0 points

hPDA stuff

the goods on amazon

Universal Value Pack 3 x 5 Plain Index Cards, White, 500 Cards/Pack 47205 / UNV47205

Universal Value Pack 3 x 5 Plain Index Cards, White, 500 Cards/Pack 47205 / UNV47205

Universal Value Pack 3 x 5 Plain Index Cards, Whit more...1 point

SPR02270 Binder Clip,Small,3/4

SPR02270 Binder Clip,Small,3/4"Wide,3/8" Capacity,36/PK,Assorted

Sparco Color Binder Clips provide a colorful solut more...1 point

Pilot Corporation of America / Retractable Rollerball Pen, Extra Fine Point, Black Ink / PIL31002

Pilot Corporation of America / Retractable Rollerball Pen, Extra Fine Point, Black Ink / PIL31002

Pilot Corporation of America / Retractable Rollerb more...1 point

Moleskine Small Plain Notebook Writing Journals Book

Moleskine Small Plain Notebook Writing Journals Book

This long-standing tradition was continued by writ more...0 points

Moleskine Small Info Book Travel Writing Journals Book (Moleskine Notebooks and Calendars)

Moleskine Small Info Book Travel Writing Journals Book (Moleskine Notebooks and Calendars)

Divided into five items: bed, food, people, sights more...0 points

Moleskine Small Ruled Notebook Writing Journals Book (Moleskine Notebooks and Calendars)

Moleskine Small Ruled Notebook Writing Journals Book (Moleskine Notebooks and Calendars)

The basic pocket-size book. 192 lined pages. Impor more...0 points

Black Matte Bullet Space Pen Gift Boxed

Black Matte Bullet Space Pen Gift Boxed

A Fisher tradition since 1959! Nickel plated chrom more...0 points

Fisher Space Pen Chrome Bullet 400CL with Clip

Fisher Space Pen Chrome Bullet 400CL with Clip

Fisher Space Pen Chrome Bullet 400CL with Clip. Writes more...0 points

Read 43f

Merlin Mann's 43Folders

This page was inspired by Merlin, so here's a fresh RSS feed to his latest blog posts. Visit his web site for tons of Hipster PDA goodness.
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The hPDA on You Tube

add your favorite or make your own hPDA video

The Hipster PDA in Wordplay 1 point

Hipster Shuffle 0 points

What do you think?

Let me know what you'd like to see here

  • Aug 29, 2010 @ 10:18 am | delete
    Very informative lens.
    Making a website is really not that tough, and top of all, you can create a website or more website for free.
    Building a website is a extremely individual skill and is different with each client.
    It is more about revealing your business to new probable clients and generating new sales.
  • Gtdagenda Nov 28, 2008 @ 7:53 am | delete
    If you'd like a tool for managing your time and projects, you can use this application inspired by David Allen's GTD:

    http://www.Gtdagenda.com

    You can use it to manage and prioritize your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
    A mobile version is available too.
  • PeopleLive Apr 26, 2008 @ 7:28 pm | delete
    That is awesome, I have to get one.
  • Techdog Apr 24, 2008 @ 11:26 am | delete
    Hahaha

    Funny idea for a PDA
    Nice work making a lense abotu it

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joebart

Joe Bartmann likes to tackle tough problems and use simple tools.  He's a change agent, host of conversations, gardener, hiker, reader and Daddy of... more »

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