What’s the advantage of having a notebook bound at the top? It requires more motion to flip the page, and you can’t write on both sides of the paper.
I think the main reason it that it’s easier to hold in one hand and write with the other than a side-bound notebook would be – you only have to hold one page-width’s worth as opposed to two. This way you can write anywhere, and don’t have to worry about finding a flat surface.
Also, you can write on both sides – some reporters will get to the end, then just turn the book around.
And the spiral bindings (or loop rings or whatever) don’t get caught on or drag along the sides of pockets.
The same reason that steno pads are?
You can stand them up, like this [sub][1], making it easier to see when you transcribe the written text with a typewriter, and only one side of the paper so you just have to flip a page and not the whole pad.
CMC +fnord!
/sub ↩︎
If they flip open at the left edge, then (assuming you’re right-handed, and holding the pad in your left hand), you can’t easily turn a page without releasing your grip on the spine of the pad. Try it - for one-handed use (no jokes please), top-spine pads are much much easier.
As someone who uses reporter’s notebooks regularly, I can tell you that they are a lot easier to flip when you’re in a hurry than side-bound notebooks. And when you’re taking notes fast, you don’t want to use both sides of the page. As Garfield said, you start on the other side only after you get to the end.
Crow, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I’ve never actually seen anyone prop up a notebook that way for typing purposes. Usually you have to flip a lot. Reporters usually aren’t doing a lot of direct transcription anyway. Just a quote here and there. The majority of the time you’re flipping through and paraphrasing in your own words.