I filled my spouse's paper app in about ten minutes. (no time lost trying to figure out which status matches best on the online form drop down box the H4 status you need to fill in)
Threw it in a FedEx enevelope and overnight it to USCIS on the way to work.
Track it online and get the delivery information --> so I know they received it (you even know the name of the person that actually signed for delivery!!)
See that the check got cashed by USCIS --> you know your app has been accepted (my credit union shows me online a scanned image of the check after it got cleared, which BTW has the WAC number on it, that way I know the WAC# of the EAD extension application as soon as they cash the check!!)
Check the status online and wait for the card (got it in 2 months).
End of story.