The future of cutting clutter

Why haven't PDAs made our desks less messy? Maybe the Web finally can help us out.

Step into my office and you'll see the piles. Piles of papers, piles of magazines, piles of phone messages and piles of -- yes -- piles.

You see, that's my organization scheme: piles of stuff. It's a scheme I've perfected through the years.

You would think, with all the computers in my life, I would change my tune. Computers are great organizers. They save things into neat rows of data, readily retrieve arcane bits of information almost instantly and, barring a crash, remember those things forever.

The latest crop of electronic organizers lets you carry that power with you wherever you go. The PDA -- personal digital assistant -- aims to organize your life effortlessly.

Need a phone number? Your Palm has it. Wonder where you're supposed to be? Check the calendar. Grocery shopping? Create a list.

How did we ever live without them?

Many find these electronic Post-it Notes indispensable. But they never quite worked for me. I have tried just about every cool new portable organizer out there, from the early Sharp Wizard to the latest sleek gadgets from Handspring, Palm and others. In spite of the fact that they're so fragile -- I keep shattering the screens -- I've tried to accept them into my life. I used to furiously scribble all my appointments and to-do lists into my PDA, digitizing my entire life. But invariably I would forget to bring it, or lose it, often at the worst possible time. I once meticulously added my schedule, phone numbers, notes and other details about a two-week business trip to Asia into an early organizer -- then left it on the plane. There I was in the Taiwan airport without a clue about my hotel, meetings or what to do in an emergency like this in a country where I couldn't even read the signs.

Computer makers think everyone needs a personal organizer. There are special versions for students, professionals and e-mail junkies, as well as units that mutate into cellphones. There are even PDAs designed just for kids. I can just see little Johnny's schedule: 9 a.m.: Play. 10 a.m.: Annoy sister. 10:04 a.m.: Time-out. 11 a.m.: Nap. 1 p.m.: Lunch. How did our kids get it all done before computers?

My problem with electronic organizers is that they just automate paper systems. If you've ever used the Day Runner or Filofax -- venerable paper-based time-management systems -- the Palm will look very familiar. It is simply a digital version, using computer memory instead of pen and paper. It's what I call the "cow-path syndrome," where the computer just automates the same old paper path from the past.

With a cow-path solution, you end up with the same problems, too. In a spate of organization frenzy, I once tried to Day Runner my life. That lasted about two weeks -- until I left the special notebook on the subway. Sound familiar?

Enter the Internet, our latest savior. There are special services to plan parties, weddings, fantasy football leagues, even garage sales. I scoffed at these Web-based schemes until I put my calendar, phone book and to-do list online. Surprisingly, it's not just another cow path. I never have to worry about leaving my organizer at home or on the bus. I can check my schedule or find a phone number at any Internet-connected computer in the world.

The better services are beginning to exchange data with desktop computers, electronic organizers and cellphones. With "synchronization," the Web service ensures that every copy is the same as the original stored on the Net.

So I've finally digitized my life, for good. I'm ready to give up my piles of paper. Now I have electronic piles of addresses and appointments everywhere -- at work, at home, on my wrist and in my briefcase. If I lose or break one, so what? I'll never miss a meeting again. Well, at least as long as those wonderful free Web sites stay in business. Hmmm. I wonder how they make money? Guess I won't get rid of all those paper piles after all.

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Terminally disorganized?

Help is here.

These Web sites are free tools that offer digital calendars, address books and notepads, plus the ability to synchronize data from other electronic organizers, such as Palms, PCs and cellphones:

Yahoo calendar.yahoo.com

Excite Planner excite.com/info/excite_planner

MyVisto www.myvisto.com