Electronic Everything -> Decreased FP Use

[guyy]

When i voted yesterday we were given retractable ballpoints with a special tip for signing the touchscreen. Here in Kings County, we used to sign-in in a big book, but that’s now gone to the big database in the sky. I used to sign in with whatever fountain pen i was carrying.

I think it’s still possible to bubble in the ballot with a fountain pen. I didn’t. (for fear of smudges). I just used the provided ballpoint.

As a teacher, i’m looking forward to grading on paper — with fountain pens, of course— because it’s so much quicker. I just hope it’s still possible in the fall.

[amk]

One teacher I know is quite a nerd, has everything on his tablet, manages Zoom like a master.

But also collects mechanical pencils.

Mixed messages!

[KrazyIvan]

I am in IT for a school district and have a considerable fountain pen collection. My blog is named Inktronics because I wanted to mix my passion for fountain pens, stationery, and inks with electronics. So far it has been only fountain pens, stationery, and ink.

[adhoc]

I re-signed my mortgage yesterday with a (much) lower rate. The signature tablet died and we had to sign with a pen. So I used my fountain pen. I have to admit it felt unnatural and weird.

I don't really use my fountain pens anymore at work. I just use them to relax in the late evenings, when the family is asleep, nowadays.

[christof]

Do I have to feel privileged since I can use my fountain pen every day at the office?

Strange idea, but probably true...

[FredRydr]

A fellow MB collector, a medical doctor, was quite active with the fountain pen community and occasionally shared my vendor tables at the Ohio pen shows, but he lost all interest when his practice and hospital record systems went totally electronic. Years ago he acknowledged his lack of communication, and told me his interest had waned since he could no longer use his pens in his work.

It's been a few years now. I wonder if one day, when he retires, I'll get a letter written with a pen from a dusted-off collection.

[TSherbs]

I'm a teacher. We stayed open and in person last year (most of it). I got to use my fountain pens often. And I am certainly privileged, in several ways.

[amk]

I am lucky, I suppose, to live in a country where title deeds must not only be signed, but initialled on each page. Last time that was 92 pages, and an Edison Collier. This time I don't know how many pages, but it will be the Pelikan M600 Red Tortoise. :-)

[penwash]

My business, which is a full time job and a half, depends on computers.

I have to find a way to use my pens because it won't come from that.

That's where restoring and sketching come into the picture.

[Igraine]

We use computers at work, but also do a lot on paper. We text each other for some things….but I am one of the few that leaves notes for coworkers. I buy cute memo pads and other stationary, people love getting stuff from me. I figure If I have to leave a bad news type of message for my manager to find taped to her computer screen when she comes in in the morning, the fact that it’s from a memo pad with happy little pandas on it and written in a pretty ink kind of takes the sting out. (We are mostly women at my job…the same thing probably wouldn’t phase men)

Also, I think it’s good to encourage younger people to write. I found a pen pal in Europe for my 15 year old niece, and let her borrow a Pilot Kakuno. She loves the pen, so I let her keep it and just bought her a Pilot Metroplitan and a bunch of different color ink cartridges. She’s very excited about it, and wants to learn cursive now.