[kbutler]

Maybe it's just me, but if I'm trying to explain an idea to someone and they're busy scribbling away on their paper it really bugs me. Are they making notes on what I'm saying? Or are they doodling?

But really, I agree that handwritten notes can be less distracting. Interestingly, typing notes on a touch-screen tablet can be less distracting, and the single-app limitation helps avoid external distractions as well.

[piqufoh]

That's an interesting point about the tablets - I don't think that would bother me so much. Maybe my laptop paranoia is related to the screen being hidden... Not that I would (or probably could) look at someone else's screen as they type, but having a horizontal note taking surface seems less like you're hiding away from the conversation. Or maybe I'm just over thinking it now.

[m_t]

The tablet/phablet/even phone bothered me as much.

I had a manager always checking his emails when we we're in a meeting. It makes the meeting more painful for everyone involved, as the person you're talking too is focusing on something else.

Doodling or scribbling does not bother me, as if someone is doodling, either they don't need to be listening, or it helps them process the info.

As for someone typing the minutes of a meeting, you can easily tell if they are doing their job, or checking in on HN, so that doesn't bother me at all either.