» Move the Pocket?
A suggestion via Rhodiapads.com: “I generally write on one side of each page in a journal. I also use the rear pocket for ticket stubs, receipts, mementos, etc. As the pocket gets things in it it becomes more and more awkward to write on the right side of the open journal. Has there ever been any thought of moving the pocket to inside the front cover, instead of the rear?” 
I thought this was an excellent suggestion. I also wonder if people would prefer to drop in notes from the top vs. the side.
Your ideas and pocket preferences are welcome.
Comments
That is a great suggestion.
There must be a reason why most notebooks have the pocket in the back. I guess it is that anything in there just ‘feels’ more secure than when it is up front. Surely a top opening pocket would present the risk of items falling out even when the book is closed? I like mine where it is!
I’m good either way, I suppose. However…
While the Webbie is not perfectly symmetrical, why not just start from the back? You could even flip it “upside-down” so it opens like a conventional Western book. The paper on the lined edition wouldn’t look too odd. The only downsides are:
1. The logo will be on the back.
2. The bookmark ribbon would be attached at the “bottom.”
3. The elastic would now be “backwards.”
All in all, a not-unreasonable solution.
Wouldn’t moving the pocket to the front just cause the same issue if you write on the back of the pages?
An idea seriously worth considering.
I like the pocket at the back but would not be put out if it moved.
mmmm, not me. I write on both sides of the page on the Webbie. Heck, that’s the whole point of the Webbie….if I just wanted to write on one side of the page, I’d use a moleskine :D
That said, it really doesn’t matter to me where the pocket is, though I still think I’d find it handier in the back.
I can see how a pocket at the front of the notebook would be beneficial for people who only write on one side of the page, however, if you write on both sides, it makes no difference. Either way, one side would be written on a bulging pocket.
However, I think it would be neat to be able to drop things into the pocket from the top vs the side. I think the side offers more protection, but a pocket opening up from the top would be more easily accessible – perhaps it would even be accessible without fully opening up the notebook.
I do like the idea of the pocket being moved to the front.
But, I wouldn’t change it to a top-loading design. While a top-loading pocket would be easier to use, the current design keeps things from falling out of the book when it’s closed.
I’ve always wondered why manufacturers don’t make their notebooks more “modular.” Like, why not a removable pocket, clear inserts for credit cards or business cards, pen holders, additional bookmarks, etc…
Yes please for a move to a front pocket. Three reasons spring to mind.
1 – Makes the things you put in there ‘front of mind’ instead buried out in the back.
2 – While I use both sides of the paper I would prefer any lump to be coming from the the front than the back. That page is already slightly more awkward to use (and really not a viable option when writing ‘on the run’) so moving all the slight inconveniences to one side leaving one side effectively perfect would make me happier. S
3 – A good mark of difference between the Webbie and its obvious competitor. These small things are good to show one is not a straight copy of the other.
Strongly urge *not* to have the top opening (or to only offer it as an option) the current system locks items into the book. A top opening would fail that fundamental requirement (in my opinion) so I think it would be a bad move.
What if a top loading design looked similar to a manila envelope where there is a top flap that can be tied down with a string to the envelope portion or the upper flap is secured by use of Velcro?
I vote a strong NO for top openings. The current pocket is perfect for folding papers across once and filing so I can quickly flip thru them STILL IN THE POCKET WHERE THEY WON’T GET LOST and pull the particular one I need. Unlike some posters, my use is BUSINESS, not journal with memento keepsakes. So I want to find those handouts from the conference or speaker quickly.
The current format is very secure, even for the smaller items such as business cards. I went thru an entire speed-dating business contact situation jotting notes about my contact on a page, then dropping their card in the back pocket. Not a one was lost, and I was then able to use a glue stick back in the office to attach their card to the notes I’d taken, because the paper quality is so great. Now I have a fantastic marketing tool created out of a Webbie v2.
If you want to put a pocket in the front and another in the back, I won’t complain, but think the posters need to remember there is a cost associated with change and additional materials.
Now that we have the v3 version that lies flat and the logo is no longer in your face, why mess with perfection? If they want a pocket in the front, flip the book over and begin from the other end!
Call me crazy, but how about two pockets — one front and one back? Is that cost-prohibitive? That way, the user could have her choice or could even choose to spread the contents out between the two pockets to minimize the bump.
What about a pocket that comes as a detached insert? The back could have a panel of super-strong peel-n-stick adhesive. The user could discard the pocket if they don’t use them, or could stick them in the front or back opening outward or spineward as they prefer.
A top-drop pocket seems impractical. There is the security issue as mentioned, and it would be nearly impossible to retrieve a business card from the bottom of the pocket without turning the notebook upside down and banging it on the desk.
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