An interactive notebook is provided which facilitates an interaction with a computer system. The notebook comprises: (i) one or more sheets having a position-coding pattern disposed thereon; (ii) at least one input field accepting: first markings from an optically-imaging pen which digitally records information entered in the input field, and second descriptive information characterizing the digitally recorded information, wherein the descriptive information facilitates searching of the digitally recorded information; and (iii) an initiation icon which, upon activation by the pen, signals the computer system to record the digitally recorded information based upon the descriptive information.