We model UIs, entity-relationship's and use cases all free hand. I think it's a lot quicker than using something like visio, etc to mock-up ideas.
If it gets to a lot of words, back to the computer I go.
(1)I know the pen is over-specified, but I find writing with most pens/pencils so unpleasant that I even type and print single envelopes to avoid it. The delta (that specific one, not any) makes writing tolerable for me--I carry one in my pocket and use it even to sign receipts.
Yeah, it's a little tiny minor thing, but it makes a difference...
Make a mistake? Chuck a card. Missed something? Insert a card. Need to reorganize? Lay them all out on a floor and shuffle as necessary.
I'll never go back to notebooks or pads (or pens) again.
When I tried writing each table out on a post-it-note, it was so much easier - even enjoyable - to come up with a normalised schema.
I wonder if/when computer technology will advance to the point where it's as flexible and disposible as pen and paper?