1. add stuff to scratchpad by editing and saving once in a while
2. view a bunch of nodes and add some of them to the scratchpad via the Personal Nodelet controls
3. before closing the scratchpad editor click on save just to be sure not to lose the last edits
4. call the scratchpad viewer and see it only as last saved in the edit window and with none of the added links

With your Idea, just add the Personal Nodelet Settings page as an additional step.

Hmmm. I'm just thinking: I like the way I can see the links in the personal nodelet, but don't want to clutter it with a bunch of newly colleted links... How about this:

• scrap the "Add to pub / priv pad" from the personal nodelet
• change the "Hide Links In Nodelet Viewer (Only use it to capture links)" to "Hide Links In Nodelet Viewer by default" in the Settings
• add checkboxes for "unhide" "add to priv scratchpad" "add to pub scratchpad" in the Settings
• and add a warning to the Scratchpad Editor as suggested by castaway

Whaddaya think?

Update: Added form example