Bins vs Binders

[SKOlson]

Here we go, the ultim,ate question that all Discussants figth over: What is better, a bin or a binder? ;)

[*Ron-Marq*]

I used to have a bin but next year I am going for a binder i think. I hated cleaning everything up after a round and then putting everything back into the bin. It got really messy in the bin to. So I will say binders are better.

[DCdisco]

Wow, i can't believe i am about to say this....

But most of you know that i was a religious binder girl. Then again, what happens when your brother steps on your binder on the night before sections? well, thats right, you put it into a box quickly.

I have transferred sides in this battle of binders vs. bins. My argument is exactly the opposite of yours, Aaron. I think its more of a pain to put it back into a binder. But i guess that is just me, because i always took out the reserach i needed from inside my binder.

Anyways, the box worked great at sections. (but i still hate that first round BS task about genetically engineered foods :evil: :evil: :evil: )

[DBrennan]

Look look look, you foolish people. About 85% of the stuff in your binder or bin, is just for looks. Do you actually use all that crappy evidence you have???

I used a binder for 4 years, the same exact binder in fact. I even think it said Nike on it, it was one of those zipper ones. I kept my key articles in the same place and just skimmed through the crap during research time.

I guess as long as you get what you need, it doesn't really matter. Doesn't really matter.....to meeeeeeee!

[DCdisco]

lol, thanks for your rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, David.

No, but like, last year, with all of the different topics, i had a file folder for each topic. Then, all i had to do was pull out the folder........SO MUCH EASIER!

oh well. BIN

[Ashley*MHS*]

Here's my two cents:

Personally, I am a binder gal. I feel like I have more organization of my material because I can put it into categories and then within that I can order my articles from most useful to least useful. I also like being able to see the "big picture" of all my tabs in case I remember an article in a different section that applies to the task. Otherwise, with a bin, you don't get to see all the articles, only the ones you pull out.

Also, being accident prone myself, I know that if my binder falls off the table it won't be a disaster. However, if a bin tips over, there goes your months of research and organization! Plus, you can put cute little pictures in the cover of your binder to motivate yourself :wink:

Ashley

[Potsie]

I have a unique system. Some of you may have seen it before, but I use an old laptop case. I store a binder in which I put key articles and the periodicals recommended by the discussion packet. I then make folders with all the different sub-topics. I will probably go to a bin next year since after state finals my whole bag starting falling apart under the weight of all my research. I do think that a combination, sort of a best of both worlds, works best. Of course, at the regular meets I might also use my portfolio I purchased at state.

[JohnsRUs]

Heres what I find to be the best system:

-Use a binder
-Tab sections with a big, store-bought, colorful tab
-tab key articles with small, store bought, colorful tabs. Make all the key articles on one part of the paper, like the right top side, for quick reference.
-Use post its for semi important articles, and put the post its sticking out the bottom
-During the round, when your researching, tab the articles you plan on using (weather they're tabbed allready or not) with a post it (different color from above) on the top side of the paper. This way you don't need to take your evidence out of the binder, just make four or five quick flips in the round.

[wgtndisco]

Wow, now this is a heated discussion. I know I've only had one year of experience is disco, but this is my take on this whole situation:

1. Binders are great for people like Ashley Frerichs, who are extremely organized and know their articles so well that they think of a perfect article in the middle of the round.
2. Bins are great for people like Aaron Marquette, who know exactly what articles they are going to use at the beginning of the round. Now a binder would work for these people as well, but I think that if you do change, Aaron, you will take the articles out of the binder like I did, so you're not that far ahead of where you were.
3. Personally, I think I'm going to switch to a bin next year because I'm sick of not having the room to fully open my binder in places like Fairmont. And I'm sick of not having my binder rings not shutting all the way and dropping it and all the papers falling out.

As you can see, I have had many unfortunate incidents during my 1st year. But I definitely think that bins look cooler, I was freaking out at Schwan's this year when there were people there with bins. It's intimidation, it looks like you have more info. That's what I think!!!