[BeetleB]

Printing is something I started to do some months ago. Instead of keeping the tab open for weeks, I decided I'd print anything I want to read and place it a physical "inbox".

Some tips: I print 2 pages to a side, so 4 pages per printer paper. Even long articles don't use too much paper, and for my eyes it's still readable (there are a few articles where I need to enlarge first). I print using either Firefox's "Simplify Page" feature or its "Readability" feature. This removes almost all the noise: No ads, no menus, etc. It's just the article and relevant images. Similar to reading a physical newspaper.

It's been a game changer. I can now read wherever I want. Going to the mechanic? I just take some of these printed articles with me. I find myself taking notes on the paper - something I would not do well on the computer screen. My eyes get a lot less strain. Once you get used to this, there's no going back. Now when I see an article through a web browser, it's just ugly. Too many distractions. Even the menus are annoying. I didn't realize I'd been putting up with filth for so long.

I initially worried that my inbox would get full and I'd have the same mental angst, and my plan was that if it happens, I'll take a random bunch and throw it in the recycle bin. But it never came to that - I still manage to read everything I print. Somehow, the physical inbox weighs less on my mind than the virtual one. I don't feel I need to deal with this inbox. It's OK if it just sits there collecting dust.

Bad for the environment. Good for the brain.

[splittingTimes]

When I had more time (before having kids) i would print out a couple of articles every other day to read while commuting with public transport or during the evening. I became a bit obsessed with the optimal usage of paper space per article. So I wrote a HTML-to-LaTex converter as a golang learning project and applied the scientific paper style to the articles. I was quite happy with the results. Some HN classics can be found here:

https://github.com/frankMilde/interesting-reads

[BeetleB]

That's pretty good. How robust is it to various types of articles (e.g. stripping out headers/footers/comments/menus etc)? Since I do it often, it's critical for me to have the process as smooth as possible (minimum number of clicks to get a preview before printing).

Also, the amusing thing is kids were part of the reason I started doing this. I detest reading on the phone, and I cannot be glued to my desktop because I have to watch the kids/babies and they love turning off my PC. Printing them out lets me read them while monitoring them and being away from the PC.

[mrjivraj]

Do you have a simple system to keep track of the notes you take?

I ask because I also started taking notes, primarily because I want to write about some of the things I come across. I write an investment newsletter (https://playingfordoubles.substack.com)

I probably need to get myself some type of filing cabinet to keep track of articles I'd like to revisit in the future.

[BeetleB]

> Do you have a simple system to keep track of the notes you take?

Not a good one. I used to just use org modes' capture templates, but it wouldn't be organized, and it became a write only system. I recently switched to org-roam. Still, it takes work to organize so I don't really take many notes.

To be clear, when I said I take notes while reading, over 90% are "transient" notes - just something relevant for that reading and not intended for long term storage. So they're lost once I discard the article.

[coder-3]

I was going to recommend the Zettelkasten method then realised you asked for something simple. But for others who are curious or don't mind a more involved system then I would recommend it. Works digitally as well.

[mrjivraj]

thanks, i will look that up nonetheless.

[dSebastien]

I did this for ten years. I would print 10-15 articles each day, and read those during my ~2h of daily commute.

I've learned a ton of things that way. I'm not proud for the environment, but the physical aspect did have its importance.

[austhrow743]

I wonder how the environmental impact compares against potential alternatives. Like if instead of reading those pages on your commute, you'd bought yourself a new hand held console every few years to play, or decided that since you're not using the time anyway then you might as well drive yourself to make the trip a little shorter.

[chana_masala]

> Bad for the environment. Good for the brain.

Get some composting worms. They like cellulose