Device for Taking Travel Notes

So this story pops up on Slashdot today:

Ask Slashdot: Device for Taking Travel Notes?
the Anonymous Wanderer writes “When I go in vacations, I like to take notes and upon return write a travel story for my friends. Until now I’ve been using a paper notebook, but found that I’m so busy when I come back that the notebook sits for weeks or months unopened. On the other hand, I have some ‘dead’ time during trips and I’d like to take the notes electronically (final editing could be done upon return). I don’t want to carry a laptop or a PDA (too expensive, plus I want to be away from computers at least those 2 weeks per year). Any suggestions for a light, cheap, keyboard-equipped device? Like a travel clock + keyboard and more memory and USB? Thanks, the Anonymous Wanderer.”

OK, first of all, what makes him think the text files on his non-laptop, non-PDA electronic device won’t sit for weeks or months unopened, much less unedited?

Second, buy a freakin’ spiral notebook and some pens. Light, cheap, and you don’t have to deal with batteries. Ever. Seriously. Also functions as a calculator and sketch pad. It is always instantly on and ready to operate, even if you boot it over and over. It automatically recognizes your handwriting, your friend’s handwriting, even my handwriting — and requires no device drivers to work immediately. You can use it for the entire flight, no matter what the flight attendents say about your electronic devices. Amazing!

Need a travel clock? Buy a watch and learn some mathematics, dude.

Rant over. Now back to your regularly scheduled electronic opiate-of-the-masses of choice.