Congratulations Len,  Glad to hear you are working.

Now, I just lost my response because when I hit 'post' I had lost signal because my battery in my WIFI was dead.  Had to start over. 

I am a lot like you and really prefer the old ways... chisel, hammer and stone tablet instead of these plastic things.  Hard to read when they break apart instead of removing just the small pieces of stone to make a letter. 

Seriously though, I do prefer my codebooks in hard copy though I have them on my laptop for when I am missing a code I need for reference.  I prefer blueprints on LARGE paper instead of on electronic formats that I can't read and am pulling all around on the screen looking at little sections at a time.  I prefer actual signatures on reports with a stamp as opposed to totally hand writing the report.  But I do like being able to just send the electronic file and not print, sign, scan, send/or snail mail a copy to all concerned parties involved in the job. 

I let myself fall way behind the curve with technology and am struggling to be even close to proficient in it's possible usage.  Contrary to my son who uses his tablet and smart phone to do everything so he doesn't carry a notepad and then have to transfer notes, find he is missing something, go back to the location, get the rest of the information, and go finish the report.  They do make things easier and faster, more efficient if one is able to make it work.  But, I have such a reputation with technology that every time I suggest to my family that maybe I should consider getting one they all shout, NO!!  Maybe I should anyway.  Then again, maybe I'll just retire and not worry about it.  Wait, I still have too long to go. 

Well, good luck Len.  Hope something else comes along if you are uncertain about this one.  But make the best out of it and maybe even learn something along the way.

He Is In Control, Have a Great Day,  Brent

Having a bit of nerve damaged to my right arm and hand, my handwriting looks quite similar to preschool scribbles.  I use my Microsoft Surface almost exclusively for my reports. The company I'm currently with has decided to go entirely to PDA's (Samsung Note) for reports to help improve front office efficiency.  This system will allow you to send in your report, which is instantly received by all parties involved.  Personally I think it makes me more productive.

I created a database years ago for inspection. Every inspection was entered. If I am tracking multiple Customers>Projects>PO>Line Items>Inspections I will ALWAYS want hard data. I can lookup today for every inspection I performed with the word "overlap" on an item to a specific customer, with a given ship date and provide a list in a few seconds. With pictures.

However, that extent may not be desired by everyone. When I did this, tablets and phones did not have this capability so I would either carry a notepad and transpose data at my next visit to the office OR bring my laptop in the shop.

I enter almost everthing in a database that I would ever want to lookup again.

There are plenty of other methods utilizing technology now too. Cameras with voice notes for images, ease of recording video etc.

It really gets down to your preferences and comfort with technology. I do strongly suggest archiving paper documents electronically. Flash drives are cheap and extremely tough. I have swam with and washed and dried more than one or two.