The best move you can make toward being paperless

 Being paperless mostly means not keeping things in paper.  You might print things out to read them or work with them, but the 'original' is not a paper original.  That's the key.

The trick is to move away from relying on paper.  There is one thing that you can do that will probably accelerate your retreat from paper more than anything else.  It's a silly little thing, but it encompasses so many aspects of going paperless that if you pull off this one thing it will propel you forward in a quantum leap.

Use digital signatures! That's the key. 

Being adept at using digital signatures will carry you farther than anything else and here's why: First, it seems like a monumental problem (it's not but you have to work through it to realize that) so when you tackle it you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment. Second, it will push you into realizing how much of 'being paperless' is overcoming a paper-based mindset.  And nothing is more sacrosanct to a 'paper-based mind' than the idea of scrawling ink on a document as a form of 'authentication.'  

The truth is signing a paper document is mostly an empty ritual. The digital world offers far better security, but you'll never know that as long as you cling to the paper signing ritual. So, if you really want to make a bold move away from paper this is the thing you should set as your goal.

Comments

[Margaret Keavney]

Ernie: I agree that the idea of an "original" is a hurdle for many people with whom I work. When you say digital signature, do you mean pdf with an image of your signature, or an alternate digital authentication?

MAK

[Ernie Svenson]

I mean the PDF image because that's the most versatile one. If you create that you can use the image in your word processing program or in Acrobat.

[Daniela Romero]

I moved to using a digital signature and I absolutely love it. It saves so much time.

[Julie K]

And how do you best create this digital image in PDF?

[Jessy Anan]

Found this video on using digital signatures. Actually ties in scanning a paper document and then applying the signature fields to send out for signature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djaHl1OT5wc

I tried it and it works splendidly. You can even add a signature with your mouse if you want. The document gets digitally signed and encrypted and if you want you can download the PDF and print it out showing the timestamp of the signature and everything.

Thanks for the idea.

[Joe]

How do you create a digital signature? And what instances is it appropriate for? I don't think clients would be quite as receptive to the idea.

[Michael M]

This sounds like something I'd like to do. Can you please point me to a tutorial which teaches HOW to use digital signatures, whether there is a cost, and other FAQS?

Thanks.