things that get in the way of doing research: new computers

A new computer is a good thing. Mostly. However, it takes a large chunk of time to reinstall everything and copy stuff. I have installed the essentials: FF, zotero, ArcGIS, assorted ArcGIS extensions and backup software. But I still have a lot more to install: SAS, SPSS, Google Earth, Dreamweaver, random other GIS type apps.

The other thing about new computers is that they often start doing weird stuff. Like going blank temporarily.

I knew all this, so I ordered the new computer months ago so that it would arrive before the busy season. But it was slow to arrive and so it arrived right in the middle of the busy season.

lost things - I want to track articles

I keep losing articles. Usually the most important articles. And no matter how organised I am with my citation management (woohoo zotero!) it still doesn't know where I last put the paper copy. Is it in the office? Is it at home? Did I leave it on the bus? I don't know! And, yes, I could print out another copy, but I usually scrawl profound notes on the important articles.

I need tiny tracking devices. Pretty colour-coded stickers would be ideal. Linked to my online citation manager. Then when I lose an article I can go look at a map and see exactly where it is. That'd be cool. It'd be even cooler if I could zoom in to see a map of the piles of paper on my desk and I could see exactly where in the piles of paper the article is.