Paxboy, there's another reason why some people (like me) like to use paper checks -- in addition to the debit card.
If I ever want to prove to a company that I made a payment, if I've used a debit card I would have to send a copy of my checking account statement showing the debit. But I don't like the idea of sending someone a statement that shows what else I do with my money, and how much or how little I may keep in that account. If I use a paper check, which I get back with my monthly statement after it's been paid on, then I can send them a copy, front and back, of that one piece of paper.
Some banks in the U.S., like mine, return your "cancelled" checks to you with your statement. Others send you pages of the microfiche copies -- sometimes with the option to also get the checks themseves for an additional monthly fee.
[edited for spelling and to add the last paragraph]