av8boy,
Can understand where you're coming from, but in an electronic strip system you learn new skill sets.
For instance:
- there is an ops data line in the label. The next sector can read it (along with anyone else) and you can leave a short but terse message in there.
- In the Oz system, you can input flight plans into the system from your console, and even fly them around the airspace as a flight plan track. Guys on TOPS group (Nth Australian Sectors) once input a flt pln on an aircraft they gave the callsign "GAYBYRON" because Byron (a controller) was sitting on one of the consoles. They launched the aircraft from one side of the airspace to arrive in Byron's airspace 30 minutes later. However Tindall RAAF Base sector controllers called TOPS to find out about "GAYBYRON" . The practical jokers had planned the aircraft thru Tindall airspace and the ATM system automatically sent Tindall the plan and departure message.
It's a bit like when we got rid of the old telephones and started using cordless phones. When you hang up in anger, you can't slam the phone down anymore, you just push a button. Not quite the same.