When I'm working (programming) I always have a UML diagram or an ER diagram on a clipboard next to my monitor. I'm much more efficient as a programmer when I have something to reference rather than having to go from memory.

What I'd like to have is an electronic-paper display about 8.5x11 inches, black and white, connected to the computer by USB such that I could take a .gif image of a diagram and select "send to epaper" from the computer and it would show up on the display.

I'm aware that I could use another LCD monitor for this. Of course, I do have two monitors at work, but I use both of them full time, so there'd be some alt-tabbing involved if my diagrams were on the monitor. It's much more efficient to be able to glance over at my clipboard without stopping typing. I could add a third monitor, but that's just a waste of electricity. So instead, I waste paper. An epaper display would eliminate even that waste.

Has anyone heard of such a device? I've been googling and the only thing I'm able to find are e-book readers. I do not need the UI of an e-book reader, or its memory. I just need something that can hold/display one image at a time.

I found something very similar to what I'm looking for, but I don't think it's for sale:
http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/epso...tional-papers/

That link says: "If this concept turns out to be true..." Is there some reason to believe that what is shown in that photo is not real? That Epson did not achieve what is being described?

Cost of paper vs Cost of an electronic device?

Two monitors with 4 edges each = 8 paper crib notes. Much cheaper than 8 monitors plus they don't lock up and need rebooting.

Would a digital picture frame work?

You can get a 12.1 inch for $140us and will handle a usb input. See:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/EP...picture-frames

Or a 15 inch for $207us. See:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/EP...picture-frames

Jim

Probably a prototype or a mockup. e-ink and e-paper concepts have been bouncing around various labs for a number of years, including the MIT Media labs back in the late 1990s.

Yeah... And since my laptop supports both it's screen as well as a 1920x1200 monitor along with its 1024x768 screen, why don't you?

Of course, I do have two monitors at work, but I use both of them full time, so there'd be some alt-tabbing involved if my diagrams were on the monitor. It's much more efficient to be able to glance over at my clipboard without stopping typing. I could add a third monitor, but that's just a waste of electricity. So instead, I waste paper. An epaper display would eliminate even that waste.[/quote]

And how would that not be a waste of electricity?

Seriously, man! Consider the extra time (and electricity) you're burning fiddling around with paper, or would be with epaper, vs how much more efficient you'd be with a real, live, no-kidding, electricity-burning LCD monitor.

Penny-wise, but pound-foolish, my friend.

As for three monitors, I have a 24" mainscreen I use in two-up mode, with my laptop's monitor serving as my "third," or "scratch/reference pad."

Works great!!!

If your laptop can't support that, spring for a better video card in your desktop and another LCD.

You're worth it. The environment is worth you not wasting your time and electricity fumbling. Get efficient. Crank. Rock. Kick some stuff.

__________________
"Toward no crimes have men shown themselves so cold- bloodedly cruel as in punishing differences of belief." - James Russell Lowell

it's not wasting electricity because it's not using electricity. e-paper uses electricity when the image changes, and for the application I describe that would be very infrequent. At other times, it uses no electricity at all.

The LCD alternative burns electricity all the time.

If I have to choose between a printout on a clipboard and an LCD, the print is obviously better.

Why e-paper?
Really, I don't see why anyone would want to use e-paper for anything they have to look at for a long time. Fuzzy, low contrast, and at best very limited color. Eugh.

The technology is fascinating and does have some uses, but I've never understood how it could succeed in devices like the e-book readers, when it's outmatched in quality by an ancient laptop I have with a black and white passive-matrix LCD display. And you want it for a computer? And for coding?

Save your eyes and get another LCD screen. Dim the lights and rig up bias lighting, and you'll save more power than the LCD panel consumes.