Despite switching from Windows to OSX a year and a half ago, I’ve yet to find the perfect task management tool for my Mac. I need something that’ll exist on the web, my desktop environment and a mobile handset.
Sadly, Gmail’s recently introduced Tasks feature doesn’t offer offline or mobile sync, my iPhone’s default Notes app has no desktop or web equivalent and Apple Mail’s To Do capability send my Gmail account’s IMAP sync into a tailspin.
I’ve experimented with OmniFocus (a little complex for my taste) and Things - supremely elegant, but quite expensive with iPhone and desktop editions priced separately. Now, my business partner swears by Hog Bay Software’s TaskPaper - a product we covered earlier this year, and has just rolled out a 2.0 update of its software.
As Mike alluded to in his May review of TaskPaper - ’sometimes simple is best’. TaskPaper makes no allusions to competing with its GTD-infused brethren, such as OmniFocus or Things, but reinforces the notion that a plain text document, marked up coherently can be very powerful indeed.
TaskPaper 2.0 adds a search engine, quick entry window, keyboard shortcuts, themes, a projects sidebar, AppleScript support and some UI tweaks. Despite all these additions, the product still feels elegantly simple, powerful and lightweight, retaining its orientation around a text document. Indeed, despite the lack of web or phone editions, the plain text core is actually the foundation for a powerful ecosystem of third-party solutions, one of which - Taskphone - is looking to bring Taskpaper support to the iPhone.
Personally, I’m not fully won over by any solution yet - holding out for a good Google+Apple linkup - like the interoperability of Gmail+Apple Mail or Google Calendar + iCal. However, right now its a toss up between the versatile, but plain girlfriend (TaskPaper) or the glamourous and expensive mistress (Things).
As we approach the end of 2008 it is a great time to think about doing a year end review and to begin setting goals for 2009. I’m not usually a fan of the typical New Year’s resolution but the transition into a new year is a logical time to make changes and start something new.
A common goal for a lot of folks is to get organized and be more productive, and for many this means committing to an organizational framework like David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I’ve been thinking about throwing my hat into the GTD ring but it seems like an overwhelming task.
So I was pleased to see our fine mobile friends at jkOnTheRun alerting us that the premier issue of Productive Magazine is available as a free downloadable PDF. This new publication is full of useful information about the GTD system and should be a good resource for the newbie or a seasoned veteran.
My first action item of the day - Done!
Do you GTD? Will Productive Magazine help you Get Things Done?
Are you one of those people who, despite the best intentions, just can’t seem to make a to-do list work? Don’t despair: you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Laura Fitton, of Pistachio Consulting, has been experimenting with a different way to keep herself on track. Rather than concentrate on the myriad little tasks of the week, she’s started envisioning the results. I caught up with her recently for a chat about this technique.
WWD: What’s wrong with traditional to-do lists?
LF: My compliance with traditional to-do lists is patchy. Sometimes great, sometimes awful. It’s at its worst when the to-do list is too tactical, largely because projects and environments shift, and you can’t always predict in advance what the right mix of actions, efforts, conversations and relationships is. Breaking tasks down into manageable pieces is important too, but there’s a balance because the piece that seems important Monday might be irrelevant by Wednesday.
I’ve also noticed that deferring tasks to a to-do list can be its own form of procrastination.
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With this entry, Chris Poteet joins the WWD team as a contributing writer. Look for his posts every week. Welcome, Chris! -Ed
Every once-in-a-while I find an application like Jott that truly revolutionizes the way I organize my life.
We all write notes on pieces of paper, napkins, etc.; but they often get lost in the shuffle. Jott comes along and helps you consolidate your tasks, notes, and events into one spot. All you do it call the Jott number, and you hear a voice that says: “What do you want to Jott?” You then give the folder name you’ve created, contact, or application and simply speak your message. Jott translates voice into text and then, based on your preferences, either e-mails you or adds the event. It also stores the message for historical purposes on the Jott website.
The premise is simple, the sign-up is easy. After signing up you can then call the Jott number to record messages instantly.
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