Also, computer managed meta-data, like creation and access dates, can help people filter their documents in useful ways. Computer-assisted organization is another reason for people to switch to reading appliances. For example, the XLibris Reader's Notebook uses a reader's free-form annotations to organize readings. When readers review paper documents they are often aided by the annotations made during a previous reading. Annotations on the page highlight key information but tend to be lost in piles of paper.
Notebooks are compact and can be reviewed quickly, but taking notes is tedious and error-prone.
Unbound notes can be reorganized flexibly, but they capture even less context than a notebook because they lack a note-taking chronology. XLibris introduces the concept of a Reader's Notebook that combines the best features of annotating directly on the page, of taking notes in a separate notebook, and of organizing index cards. As with paper documents, readers mark on the page, in the context of the document, and without tedious and error-prone copying. As with a bound notebook, readers can review concise annotations by time. Finally, as with note cards, filtering and sorting of the annotations allow readers to reorganize their information as their needs change.