Binder insert to view multiple index cards at a time
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2006-04-03 21:38.
I used to have a paper-based project management system that included 3-ring binder inserts that had multiple slots on each side, allowing me to view 20 or so cards at a time:
_______________ ______________
| Project A | | Project M |
_______________ ______________
| Project B | | Project N |
_______________ ______________
| Project C | | Project O |
_______________ ______________
| Project D | | Project P |
_______________ ______________
| Project E | | Project Q |
*
*
*
Does anybody recall such a system and/or know if such a card organizer is available today?
Card system
I think it was called scan plan
I made my own holder
I made my own card holder by taking a heavy-duty page protector & sewing a grid on it. I then carefully sliced just through the top layer of plastic near the top of each rectangle. The whole thing took about 90 seconds, and it was very easy and inexpensive.
For stability, you can put cardstock in the sleeve before you sew & slice, but I haven't found it necessary if you use a heavy-duty page protector.
You have to have a sewing machine, though.
I made my own too..
I made my own using a heat sealer and an ordinary lightweight page protector. I measured out where the pockets should be, sliced the openings (using a piece of cardboard inside to prevent slicing through the other side, too), then sealed the pockets. I made the pockets slightly too shallow so the cards would stick out of the pockets a little, making them easy to grab. So I had six up on a page (landscape).
The sealer I used was an industrial model that opens differently from a food-saver type. It is long and skinny with a hinge on one end, instead of all the way down the long side. So you can put a seal in the middle of something fairly big.
This too requires specialty equipment, but I haven't got a sewing machine and I *do* have a sealer.
I'm with Pheebers, though in that you should use a heavyweight page protector. I'm positive that would be more stable than the floppy thing I made. :)
Alternative suggestions:
--a french-style note board. Make it from something stiff, like hard-board or super heavy cardstock, ribbons, and hot glue. Glue the ribbons in criss-cross diagonals across the board. You can then tuck the cards into the ribbons and they stay put as long as the book stays oriented properly. I made one of these on a fiberboard picture-frame backing (the kind with the fold-out stand) as a table-top display for my cards. I made it 9x12, but you could do smaller ones. I was looking for something that would hold a LOT of cards visible at the same time.
--make one out of two layers of card stock and hot glue. You'd have to make the second one into a series of picture frame windows and pocket slots, then glue carefully to make something you could slip index cards into. You could also make it with a cardstock back and a paper front, or use some thinner more translucent material on the front. Same concept applies--cut windows so you can see what's on the cards, but leave 'frames' to hold the cards in.
Kristina
Postcard sleeves
There are plastic sleeves available for postcards. The sleeves are used by postcard collectors to protect and display their collections. I'm not sure where you could find them but I do know they exist as I saw a display book of postcards at an antique show.
Also, for smaller cards there are trading card sheets can be found at most stores selling trading cards. I have seen foolscap/letter, A4 and A5 size pages over the years.
Index Card Planner Systems
I've been trying to find this system too.
It was advertised in the various business publications (like airline magazines) in the mid 80's to 90's. It used proprietary color-coded folders and cards as well as a vynyl folder/binder system. The system had a little flexibility in several different format cards, folders and such that were color coded. The original system was very, very expensive for it's time.
Sometime after that, Anglers Co.Ltd of Flushing NY (according the printed cards) came out with a standard system. It used 3x5 index cards (beige) that were horizontal ruled on one side and vertical ruled on the other. Their pages had one row of vertical and one row of horizontal cards. They had a folder (pad/folio) format as well as a 3-ring binder format.
I cannot find anything out about them. But they no longer seem to be making that product, though some of their other products are still listed with some office suppliers.
The original system, I have not been able to find either. Not hide nor hair. I hope that some old magazine will turn up with some idea or I will find the old box of extras somewhere.
The system I had was sold through Day-Timers, I guess I could always ask them, since I know I purchased the system around 1992+/- a year.
The Scan/Plan system is a sort of less useful hybrid of the flip-cards.
http://www.scanplan.com/projects4.html
You can use 3x5 or 4x6 photo flip books to do the same thing.
The limitation is that they overlap badly, and you can't easily slide cards in and out, or pull one up, the way you could with these other systems.
If anyone finds out any more information, I'd really like to know.
I found the index card organization system to be wonderful for project, life, and general management. I liked the vertical-lined cards, but usually used standard colored index cards and just used the un-lined backs as the vertical (it's not too hard to write in a straight line).
Except for the pages that held the cards, the whole system was very cheap. Index cards have always been readily available, even today.
Perhaps that's why it never caught on. People want more. They want flash. They want something to do it for them. Yet, despite all the innovations that have come and gone, and all the software and such, there are still index cards on the shelves, and rolodexes on the desks.
PUGDOG
==================
As soon as I post this, I of course find the system I was referring to at first.
http://www.executivegallery.com/Pages/SCCards.html
Looks like the original system, without the improvements Day_Timers made to it with the folders.
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Index Card Planner Systems
I thought of something that may be of help to you. They make sheets that will fit in a 3 ring binder for stamps, envelopes, and currency collectors. Clear sheets are available as well as ones that are backed by black. Various sizes are available, too so you have a very wide variety that would best fit your needs. I have included a link to view what I am talking about. Shop around though, prices can vary greatly.
http://www.subwaystamp.com/departments.asp?dept=9
Recipe Card holder
How about a Recipe Card Sheet protector? Here is a link: http://www.dvo.com/binders.html#32 or check out this picture I found on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/21732258@N00/244436858/
Thank you! I've been looking
Thank you! I've been looking and looking for a product like this. Very hard to find.
Cool index card organizers -- at a price.
If you're willing to shell out for very professional-looking index card organizers, go to www.levenger.com. They have many creative leather and/or wood index card accessories, including "bleachers" for standing up your cards and a leather portfolio with index card-sized pockets. They also sell vertically lined index cards that can be personalized.
Again, all of this is quite pricey -- but if anyone here is a business executive or attorney, they may be willing to spend the cash to add a professional, polished look to their index cards.
I think you're talking about
I think you're talking about the "Scancard" system.
It's available at www.executivegallery.com
Library supply houses are
Library supply houses are great for this sort of thing, too. Try Gaylord or Highsmith or Demco (I've been a customer of all three off and on over the years, never had a problem).
Binder with slots for cards
It was manufactured by Levenger. I still have one today.
I have the Executive
I have the Executive ScanCard System. The info on the binder says:
Executive ScanCard Systems
Suite 200-6480 Busch Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43229
800-848-2618
Ohio 800-282-2630
I have to write in pencil so that I can reuse the cards.
Do you mean....
...these ? What are the dimensions of the cards ?
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"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin and Hobbes/Bill Waterson)
look at levenger . com
They have great 3 X 5 folios and "bleachers."
index card organizer
My index card organizer was made by the Angler Co., Ltd in Flushing, New York. I've been looking for a replacement as well but the Scan Card system is too expensive. I got this from an office supply and I'll continue to search. Hope you find one.
Binder insert to view multiple cards at one time
Yes they do exist. I have a ton of them as I'm an organizing guru. Or, rather I should say I'm a 're-organizing' freak. Whenever I feel out of control, I start to re-organize. This results in buying yet another day planner, organizer or new system to re-list everything I have to do. I've read Getting Things done and I'm trying to follow it. However, I digress..
Yes, the system you're looking for is sitting on my desk right now. I first bought it about 10 years ago and it was buried. It recently resurfaced and of course I went out and bought a whole lot more. They were called SCANPLAN (was at www.scanplan.com) and have been changed to FLIPDEX and can be found at www.flipdex.com. The website is down as of 4/22/08. I called and they told me it would be up again by the end of next week (4/30/08?). phone number 1-800-SCANPLANN.
You can have 3x5 cards or 5x8 cards. There is even a format to fold an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet in half and store in the same type of sleeve as the 5x8 cards. You can put them in a loose leaf notebook (either the Daytime Desk size or regular for the 8 1/2 x 11 size. Or you can put a metal slider in the end and hang them like hanging file in a file drawer. There are even portable sizes for your wallet or pocket. All those out there with their Hipster can get a small travel folder for their 3x5 hipsters.
Look at the website when it comes back up. There are lots of other formats.
I have bought sooooo many systems over the years........
Index card with projects seen at a glance on a 8 1/2 x 11" page
I just found an inexpensive version, at www.ultoffice.com/catalob/2683. It is called "T-card organizer pocket, and each side of page holds 36 pockets (total 72), it comes withi a 100 cards for $ 13.95. It has the little metal sliders that I wondered about , and you just gave me an answer.
cant get BJG's site to work and a question to anonymous too?
hi bjg, cant get that site to work you mentioned, its sunday night now
I can find scan cards at Executive gallery, but not what you were tlaking about
help?
also, Anonymous, you posted that you bought your t-cards at the site you mentioned. I cannot find out how large those t-cards are. Are they 3x5? Or do they come in diff sizes?
When I looked at the site y ou mentioned, I cant find dimensions.
thanks for any help anyone can give
archangel