If you read a lot for your job

[SchoolHours]

Do you read on the computer screen? Tablet? Print everything out? Read on a screen and annotate or make notes on paper? What's normal these days? I always find it easier to read on paper, but is it a case of getting used to reading on a screen?

[vincettenoir]

I read on the screen. I try to take regular breaks for my eyes but probably don’t do it enough.

Obviously, it’s important to save paper but your eye health is important too so if it helps to print out the odd document, then go ahead.

[Bleepbloopbluurp]

I'm a lawyer and print everything. I know that many lawyers are paperless since the pandemic but I've also spotted more errors in documents over that time, so...

[EvenmoreDisorganised]

I do a bit of both but I print double sided and 2 pages to a sheet whenever possible to save paper. Anything single sided I save for scribbling on (mine isn't confidential). I very rarely use new paper for writing on, and we do a lot by tablet/stylus now as well. Sometimes you can't beat paper for checking off lists or proofreading (for me anyway).

[hettiethehare]

Anything I need to read carefully I print off and make manual annotations.

If I'm just reading for research/ information I tend to read on the screen and either make manual notes or have a separate document open, depending on how many notes I need to make.

[WateryDoom]

I print it out. I can't read as well on screen and I need to be accurate. I also prefer to annotate/write comments on paper.

[Slaistery]

I’m not allowed to print at home for data security reasons so I’m obliged to read on screen. It’s shit and nothing sticks.

[SirChenjins]

I usually print - I find it easier to read the whole article on paper and highlight the bits I need or write comments.

[GeraltsBathtub]

On screen but I take lots of breaks to look at MN out the window and I have my screen setting adjusted to my preference (low blue light, low ish brightness). Printing isn’t worth the security hassle for me!

[DisforDarkChocolate]

On screen 90% of the time. It has taken some effort though, I just can't afford the ink!

[LudicrouslyCapaciousBag]

I work across multiple sites and deal with sensitive documents. I’m terrible for leaving paper lying around and as the potential risks are pretty high I consequently read almost everything on my iPad. If I need to annotate I will insert the document into OneNote as a printout and annotate with an Apple pencil.

[Lamelie]

Print it out. As pp have said, it doesn’t stick otherwise although I’m happy reading for pleasure on a kindle.

[PinkFootstool]

Unfortunately it's all a computer screen for me. I often pull data off the original database and dump it into word or excel so I can make it easier to digest. I'm WFH 99% of the time and not permitted to print from my systems.

[EllaPaella]

I read it on my ipad and/or laptop and make notes.

[InSpainTheRain]

I read almost everything on screen. The only exception would be if I want to read/mark up research papers that I'll be keeping for a while for a project, then I may print them out.

[SomethingNastyInTheGenePool]

I read most things on screen but if it’s something long and complicated, I’ll print it out and scrawl all over it.

[PuffinsRocks]

I don't print anything out. What a waste of paper.

[PuffinsRocks]

You can annotate directly on Microsoft Word.

[GoldenLeaves20]

Print out 90% of anything I need to mark up. Otherwise I can't handle long docs or complex journal articles

[EvenmoreDisorganised]

I'd never thought about WFH meaning no printing (I'm fully office based through choice). That would drive me nuts.

[TheOrigRights]

I'm in publishing (science) so read loads.
I def find it easier to read hard copies but I'd be printing hundreds of pages a day so I don't.
I do write notes with pen and paper which helps focus.

[AnnaKorine]

Everything on screens, I have two of them though so can read one document and type
in another if necessary. Was a massive adjustment when we switched to paperless and took me a good year or two to really get my head round it. If I really can’t understand something long then I print it off.

[PinkFootstool]

@EvenmoreDisorganised

I'd never thought about WFH meaning no printing (I'm fully office based through choice). That would drive me nuts.

Even if I were in an office I couldn't print from the systems I use due to security. I work with huge volumes of data, statistic, information and intelligences so even if I was permitted to print, the scale of it would be obscene and a huge waste.

I've just got used to it, although I do have special lighting in my home office and have special glasses for glare etc (chronic migraine).

[MedSchoolRat]

Only things I print are forms I have to fill in by hand (very rare), or many things I am reviewing (scientific articles). Annotating the margins, developing thoughts, especially if working on train.

[PlantDoctor]

I once thought I had to print everything to read it properly. Now I work as a editor, so read everything on a screen to use Track Changes in Word. It wasn't a difficult transition and much better for the environment, as well as my bank account (ink costs, etc.)

[cocksstrideintheevening]

Contracts I print as I like to highlight / annotate in pencil everything else in screen but I do have a huge screen, I wouldn't on a laptop / tablet.