Meeting bag

[myvalk]

Now that we’ve gone all digital, does anyone still use a book bag at the meetings? And if so, what do you bring in there? 

[Tortuga]

2 hours ago, myvalk said:

Now that we’ve gone all digital, does anyone still use a book bag at the meetings? And if so, what do you bring in there? 

Water, snacks, battery bank, pen, blank Auxiliary Pioneer applications, pain relievers. 

[Sheep]

I am one of the few who still is really not comfortable with electronic devices, with the exception of my laptop at home. But it's a bit too big to bring to the hall. I am only semi-comfortable with my tablet, so I don't use it for much. I'm even afraid to use it for a simple Bible reading part! So... the usual stuff goes into my book bag: hard copy Bible, books, magazines, meeting workbooks, brochures... whatever the meeting calls for.

 

 

P.S.: I don't even like to use my phone for anything except phone calls. It's too small to see anything on it. (I'm getting older.)

Edited yesterday at 04:53 PM by Sheep

[jdcarlson]

I too have a problem with tablets & "smart phones."

 

In the past I managed fairly well on computers, starting with COBOL programming on mainframes, and made the transition to PCs in 1982.

 

In the days of DOS I was able to keep up. I even tried an early network system running through 9 pin serial ports, but it was slow. Then I installed several versions of Novell Net Ware using ethernet - I finally upgraded the office to gigabit network switches. 

 

About 2000 I went to windows to take advantage of the network flexibility. Novell Net Ware was good (extremely stable), but could only do one thing at a time.

 

I kept our small CPA firm going including "Terminal Services" which allowed our staff to access the network sever at the office remotely.

 

About ten years ago my son convinced me to outsource the IT work to an independent contractor, and go to a "cloud" system built specially for accounting firms (tax returns, time & billing, general ledger, audit workpapers, etc.). I knew enough to work with the system, but it was a relief not to be responsible every time the system "burped."

 

Now my grandsons run circles around me with tablets & "smart phones."

 

I have a Lenovo X1 Carbon that is fairly light & compact.  It has quad core 3GHz processor, 1TB SSD, and 16 GB memory. My only complaint is that it does not have a "10 key keypad" like larger machines have.

 

I take the X1 to the Hall. I have several Hartmann leather computer bags from when I used to carry my machine around for secular work. I use one of these for the X1. I keep a legal pad & some pens & pencils in it as well. I put the leather bag on my lap and the laptop on that. The leather bag is just thick enough to bring the laptop up to a comfortable level with my elbows on the arm of the chair.

 

I have a wireless mouse that I sometimes use, but the Lenovo has the little "red eraser" trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard which facilitates moving the cursor.

 

The LDC is in the middle of a major renovation on our Kingdom Hall, and we are meeting at another hall for now. The chairs at the hall we are currently using are a little small for best use of the computer with wireless mouse, but so far I am managing using the trackpoint on the keyboard.

 

I like being able to have the meetings (mid-week or Watchtower) in one window, and the Bible (or other reference) in another window. Alt-Tab switches between screens immediately so I can access JW.org or on-line library in a flash.

 

I have been tempted to try a tablet, but so far the Lenovo X1 does the job for me. And, I have used it long enough that I know it's quirks, etc.

 

The one thing I use the "smart phone" for is to set up a "hot spot" so I can access the internet from anywhere. That also goes in my leather bag with the laptop.

 

Perhaps I am a luddite, staying with older technology, but it works for me.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

[TheKid23]

On 7/12/2025 at 8:30 PM, myvalk said:

Now that we’ve gone all digital, does anyone still use a book bag at the meetings? And if so, what do you bring in there? 

I do everything on my iPad but still take a small bag most meetings. I have my keys, battery pack, gum & iPad. I sometimes have to take a bigger bag if I’m picking up or returning literature for our carts, but usually I just have the basics 

[Sheep]

12 hours ago, jdcarlson said:

. . . starting with COBOL programming on mainframes

 

Oh, Woww!! Another ex COBOL programmer on JWTalk? That's fabulous. I did that when I was in Toronto in the early to mid-1980s, and then into RPG 400. I quit a couple of years after I got baptized and wanted to pioneer. Anyway, I was extremely surprised about three years ago to find out COBOL is still in use in our modern era! I really thought that verbose language would have gone the way of the Dodo bird by that time, but I met a guy that told me he used it at work!

 

I, too, was more into computers up until about 2015, then got out-of-practice. Technology was moving faster than I was, and I lost track.

[minister159]

On 7/12/2025 at 3:00 PM, Tortuga said:

snacks

You eat snacks at the meetings?

8 hours ago, TheKid23 said:

gum

You chew gum at the meetings?

 

Just curious. 

[Tortuga]

18 minutes ago, minister159 said:

You eat snacks at the meetings?

You chew gum at the meetings?

 

Just curious. 

Sometimes I have to go early or stay late, so I keep a lunch bar just in case. I do not eat it during the meeting.