Stuck in a low-tech world

Dear PropellerHeads: Despite being in the digital age where everything is done on our phone or laptop, I still have a drawer full of business cards. Can you help me get organized?

A: It's always frustrating that in most parts of business, we are constantly working to cut paper use and take advantage of online tools, yet when it comes to business cards we typically treat our connections like one of those restaurant fishbowls where a physical card will win you a free lunch. If you want to hold onto all the cards and go low-tech, buy this and stop reading the article, you troglodyte (amzn.to/1A5Tivh).

If you're still with us, let's look at other options. First, there are several methods using phone apps and built-in features. All three of the major phone operating systems provide ways of ex-changing vCard information without much fuss. If you go into your contacts on your phone, there is typically an option to share the contact's info in the menu. You can do this via email, text, or - if your phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled - by simply touching your phone to another.

While that may help you cut down on gathering new business cards, you probably need something to help with the drawer full you already have. You're going want something robust, yet simple to use, like CamCard (camcard.com). This app works on all mobile platforms (yes, even Blackberry for you nostalgic suits), and allows you to scan physical cards into your phone.

CamCard lets you exchange information with other users as mentioned above, and scans physical cards, importing information from the scans. Depending on how complex the card design is, you may have to tinker with a contact's information after scanning, but it typically gets it right. If you meet someone that is an MD, Ph.D., PMP, LMNOP (OK, I made that one up) and has them all listed on their card, the app may have trouble knowing where that person's name ends and their bragging... er, certifications, begin.

Additionally, this app can sync all of your contacts online for easy editing and organization. As an added bonus, you can attach pictures, websites, notes, and other media to a particular contact, which can help when meeting with that guy you met at that thing who talked about that really interesting subject back then. Yeah, that guy...

While we think CamCard is one of the more complete apps out there, there are plenty of alternatives for you to check out too. If you prefer a minimalist, easy-to-use app that just stays on your phone, BizzCard (bizzcard.us) is worth a look.

Clinck (clinck.me) makes sharing information easy, using email to send your vCard to others, and doesn't require them to have the same app to receive it. It also has built-in card management for those you receive.

For current Evernote users, the recently defunct Evernote Hello app has been discontinued, but the main app has absorbed its functionality. If you need a refresher on how to use it, look here (bit.ly/1vWElMp).

Lastly, we thought that Flextown (flextown.com) was an interesting product. Instead of buying hundreds of paper business cards of your own to hand out (the vast majority of which make it into the trash), Flextown provides you with a physical digital business card. Confused yet?

You receive a limited number of these physical cards that include an NFC chip with your contact information and QR code as well. When you want to share your information, rather than hand-ing out your card, your new contact can import the information into their phone and move on. Flextown has multiple subscription options that give you varying levels of detail in how you manage your growing army of business acquaintances.

Now that that is settled, you are free to use all of those outdated business cards you've been collecting for your real passion... making paper mache pinatas! What? You don't do that? It's totally a thing. Lots of people think it's cool. Seriously. No one laughs at all...

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to questions@askthepropellerheads.com or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.