Seems to be a divide between those who like using whiteboards and not. I can think of several contributing factors:
* academics vs non-academics
* those who enjoy thinking on their feet vs those who enjoy thinking in a text editor
* good handwriting vs not
* right vs left handed
Regarding the last, writing left-handed on a whiteboard means you're either manipulating the pen uncomfortably from the far end, or you're smearing what you wrote. You're also tending to obscure the audience's view of what you just wrote with your hand, arm, and body.
I'm sure all of the above are part of why I prefer to avoid whiteboards, and would be much happier with my laptop on a projector. Although if I'm communicating with trusted peers I have no shame in putting up a smeared, slanted, and mostly illegible scrawl.
Every conference room whiteboard should be paired with a mirror, so that lefties can write backwards.
If you haven't tried it, writing backwards with your left hand is surprisingly easy when you first try it. (easier than writing forwards eith the left hand, or backwards with the right hand, as a rightie) It's just a more natural way to move your hand.
> writing left-handed on a whiteboard means you're either manipulating the pen uncomfortably from the far end, or you're smearing what you wrote
I'm left handed, and I hold the dry-erase marker comfortably and write without my hand touching the board. Certainly it takes a degree of coordination, but is this uncommon?
* academics vs non-academics
* those who enjoy thinking on their feet vs those who enjoy thinking in a text editor
* good handwriting vs not
* right vs left handed
Regarding the last, writing left-handed on a whiteboard means you're either manipulating the pen uncomfortably from the far end, or you're smearing what you wrote. You're also tending to obscure the audience's view of what you just wrote with your hand, arm, and body.
I'm sure all of the above are part of why I prefer to avoid whiteboards, and would be much happier with my laptop on a projector. Although if I'm communicating with trusted peers I have no shame in putting up a smeared, slanted, and mostly illegible scrawl.