What isn't clear until one looks at the white paper is that all the paper documents are printouts -- i.e., the paper has to be in the computer first, and the paper is then being used only to provide a larger manipulation surface than the tablet screen.

While that is undoubtedly valuable -- it is the same reason that many of GBM's members use multiple screens -- it would seem to make more sense, at least to me, to have a lower cost portable cintiq type device and dispense with the paper altogether.

A rigid form of tablet technology is not enough. This will open up a new dimension. I am very happy Mr Hinckley is collaborating in this project as well.

The system is based on the Anoto technology. So you can also start with a blank piece of Anoto paper, write on that, and bring it into your notes. Or you can print a document (with the Anoto pattern in the background) and then mark up on top of that. The cool thing is that you then re-print a document with annotations, and make further annotations on top of that...

I wanted to emphasize that this project was done in Francois Guimbretiere's lab at the University of Maryland. I just collaborated with Francois and his students a little bit on some of the interaction design and ideas. They have continued this line of work and are doing more stuff that is really cool.