{ Thursday, January 8, 2009 }
Q: How does one get things done?
A: One makes a list.
I've been looking all week for a Task list, or To-Do list that really works. I was using Things, before they released their 1.0 product, but they put it out last week, and it was $49.95. That's too much -- to do lists are not a $50 problem. They're maybe a $10 problem, or a $20 problem, and I would conceivably pay $50 if they had a version of it in the cloud, as well as the desktop and iPhone apps. No webapp, no can do.
I used to do this all on paper, as the Church of GTD would suggest, but wanted an digital solution. No way to search completed items, or prioritize, and another thing to carry (and lose).
So I am using Remember The Milk, somewhat reluctantly. It has all the functionality I need, it integrates with Gmail and with iPhone, but the UX is just terrible. Editing is in the wrong place, there's this arcane method of selecting items and a pulldown menu with which to do it -- things aren't where you would expect them to be. I paid for the Pro version ($25) to get the iPhone app, which has the problem of introducing too many steps to get something done. But it is the best one that I could find. I looked at Tadalist, which was too simple, and Todoist, which didn't have device apps or mail integrations I could use.
Then there's this from Pretty Bitter:
LINK | 4:36 AM | TB
Have you looked into Vitalist? I believe it has everything you're looking for.
Emily | January 8, 2009 5:01 PMTimely. I just made a lengthy to-do list on paper less than an hour ago, and was wondering if there was an app that was compatible with gmail and iPhone. Maybe you should develop this!
Corey | January 9, 2009 12:15 PMi've used mark hurst's gootodo.com on/off for a few years with pretty decent success - though i cancelled it last year after not using it much. i always go back to a hardbound blank notebook and a pen that i still carry around and mark each page with a date (and then date the spine when it's done - recently i threw out years of notebooks full of to-do's and notes). there still isn't, for me, enough extensibility and features in any to-do task/list application
Leanne | January 9, 2009 2:36 PMAdobe AIR MiniTask is a good desktop application. You will also have to install Adobe AIR though.
Ankit | January 10, 2009 5:28 AMi'm sure you are aware of this by now, but there is an iphone app for Things that is a few dollars on top of the desktop app price. the iphone app syncs with the desktop app easily and overall i am very happy with them. for me, having a well designed, easy to use to-do app is worth $50 to me...your mileage may vary
ds | January 12, 2009 8:00 AMSo I sat next to you tonight and nearly pulled your arm off trying to help you up. With regards to this blog, I do distinctly remember you borrowing a pen to write in your PAPER to-do list notebook...no? Sorry, I didn't mean to out you, but I feel this will always be superior to a digital interface. Times up!
Brandon Lujan | January 14, 2009 10:30 PMI know exactly what you mean! none of the tools does what I need. "I will do one thing today" - is great!!! :-)
Anita Posch | January 19, 2009 5:55 AMGood information about lists making. I will look into the other suggestions. I use www.anyinput.com for mine. But this application has too many options and may be too complex for many.
Chris Shah | January 26, 2009 7:39 PMi've tried RTM twice and agree - the UI frustrates me. GooTodo's tasklist-by-date model is what keeps me coming back to it.
kareem | February 13, 2009 1:56 PMTry hitask.com it's easiest and fun to use.
Jim | June 17, 2009 6:52 AM{ Post a comment }
Toodledo is very good. Has a great iPhone app. Is good for people attending Church of GTD. Price is right. Great Firefox plug-in. --Very nice app.
Brian D. Johnson | January 8, 2009 8:01 AM