There are many situations where handwritten notes are not enough for a complete record of an interview, examination, or other event. Notes are inherently a summary, because it is impossible for most people to make note of everything that happens. A more complete record is possible by making sound recordings, video recordings, or taking photographs of the event simultaneously with note taking. The recordings and photographs provides a full transcript of the event while the notes provide a convenient summary.

However, simultaneous note taking and recording introduces a problem of coordination because different media are generally required: paper for the notes, tape or computer for the recordings and photographs. Each is stored differently and they must be somehow marked so they can be accessed together. An easy and foolproof way of coordinating all media is necessary. This is the objective of Write-n-Record.