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ATPM 14.11
November 2008

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Next Actions

by Ed Eubanks, Jr.

Master List for November

I’ve got a couple of actual articles for Next Actions in the works. I had planned to finish “More ways to fill your inbox” for this issue, before my wife went into the hospital to deliver our twins! Look for a real article, not just a list, in the December issue.

As usual, I welcome any feedback on my list, or suggestions for additions. I won’t always add every suggestion, but I’ll look at them and evaluate whether they fit with what I’m trying to cover.

Locally Installed GTD Applications

Action Tracker

next-actions-action-tracker

Developer: Mac Productive

Current Version: 1.3.1

Price: Free

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: FileMaker Pro (free Runtime version available)

Distinguishing Features: Also organizes notes, contacts, and other information related to projects.

News: None

ActionTastic

next-actions-actiontastic

Developer: Jon Crosby

Current Version: 0.9.3

Price: Free, open-source

Development Status: Beta

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: Yes

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Processing engine; iPod sync; Mail and MailTags compatibility.

News: ActionTastic now has a new Web site.

EasyTask Manager

next-actions-easktask-manager

Developer: Orionbelt.com

Current Version: 2.0

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: Yes

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App (free); Web App (free)

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Windows version available; automatic advance of uncompleted due tasks to today.

News: None

Frictionless

next-actions-frictionless

Developer: Twin Forces

Current Version: 2.0d18

Price: Free, open-source

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Quick-entry box; fuzzy repeated actions.

News: None

Ghost Action

next-actions-ghost-action

Developer: Ghost Park Software

Current Version: 1.1

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: .Mac syncing (without iCal running); PDA/iPod syncing.

News: None

iGTD

next-actions-igtd

Developer: Bartek

Current Version: 1.4.5.6

Price: Free

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Compatible with Address Book, Mail, iSync, and MailTags, as well as Web browser support, Path Finder, Yojimbo, MacJournal, and others; quick-entry feature; simple yet powerful interface.

News: A recent post on the forum suggests that there may actually be life for this application. But it has been almost a year, and from what I’ve heard and read many of their users have moved on. I wonder if they will be able to recover.

iCog

next-actions-ikog

Developer: HensPace

Current Version: 1.88

Price: Free

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: Python 2.4 or later

Distinguishing Features: Compatible with any OS running Python (including Windows); very simple text-only utility.

News: None

mGTD

next-actions-mgtd

Developer: Jeff Fisher

Current Version: 1.3

Price: Free

Development Status: Pre-final

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: Mori 1.6.11

Distinguishing Features: Expands Mori (digital notebook) functions to include GTD principles.

News: None

Midnight Inbox

next-actions-midnight-inbox

Developer: Midnight Beep Softworks

Current Version: 1.3.1

Price: $35

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Action timer; quick-note and quick-action hot keys; Mail compatible; automatic data collection.

News: None.

OmniFocus

next-actions-omnifocus

Developer: Omni Group

Current Version: 1.5rc2

Price: $80

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App ($20)

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Mail- and Spotlight-compatible; simple interface with powerful view features.

News: Version numbers have recently jumped, from what was an alpha/beta of 1.1 to what is now posted as a release-candidate of 1.5. The core advantages of the new version are a variety of syncing tools, although a few other minor changes are there as well.

Ready, Set, Do!

next-actions-ready-set-do

Developer: Todd Vasquez

Current Version: 1.3d

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: A very different approach using a set of AppleScript routines to impose organization and communication across a computer’s entire file system; multiple language support.

News: A new Quicksilver action is now available on the “Xtras” section of the Web site.

TaskPaper

next-actions-taskpaper

Developer: Hog Bay Software

Current Version: 1.0.3 (26)

Price: $19

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Simple, text-based system; no-frills, intentionally designed as an alternative to more fully featured systems.

News: None

Things

next-actions-things

Developer: Cultured Code

Current Version: 0.9.4

Price: $50 (pre-release price of $40 with sign-up for newsletter)

Development Status: Alpha

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App ($10)

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Features will include: iCal sync; repeating tasks; Mail compatibility; network and multi-computer operation; and import/export options.

News: Cultured Code has announced that Things 1.0 will be released at Macworld Expo on January 6, 2009.

Thinking Rock

next-actions-thinking-rock

Developer: Avente Pty Ltd

Current Version: 2.0.1

Price: Free, open-source

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Cross-platform compatibility through Java; interactive collection and processing.

News: None.

What To Do

next-actions-what-to-do

Developer: Objective Satisfaction

Current Version: 1.3.2

Price: $29

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Drag-and-drop intensive for easy reorganization; .Mac syncing for multiple computers; XML export.

News: None

Locally Installed General Task Managers

Anxiety

Developer: Tom Stoelwinder, Model Concept

Current Version: 1.0

Price: Free/Donationware

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: A menu-bar utility that gives a HUD-like interface to iCal tasks; sorts by calendar; Mac OS X 10.5 only.

News: None

Check Off

Developer: Second Gear

Current Version: 3.8

Price: Free/Donationware

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: A menu-bar utility that manages basic task lists; syncs with iPods; a .Mac Backup QuickPick is provided.

News: None

Dejumble

Developer: Thinking Code Software, Inc.

Current Version: 1.2.b19

Price: $19

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

iPhone Presence: App ($8)

Distinguishing Features: A simple yet powerful menu-bar style task list manager, with tags, groups, notes, and a handful of other options.

News: Beta development continues for the new version 1.2.

Docket

Developer: Surprise Software

Current Version: 1.3

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: A neat basic list management application. A Windows version is also available.

News: None

DoIt

Developer: Jim McGowan

Current Version: 2.6

Price: Donationware

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: .Mac support and AppleScriptability. Also supports file attachments and categories for lists.

News: None

High Priority

Developer: Aram Kudurshian

Current Version: 1.11 (Mac OS X 10.4 only)

Price: $6 (personal); $12 (family); $60 (business)

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: A system preference pane, creates a menu in the menu bar that lets you create and update your iCal tasks.

News: None

Hot Plan

Developer: Intuiware

Current Version: 1.4.1

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: Tracks a substantial amount of information about a given task, including completion status, priority, time remaining; supports tagging, color-coding, and locking of tasks. Also allows collection of URLs and files.

News: None

iClock

Developer: Script Software

Current Version: 3.0.5

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

Distinguishing Features: Offers a menu bar–based method of managing task lists; includes .Mac syncing.

News: None

Life Balance

Developer: Llamagraphics

Current Version: 5.0.1

Price: $65 ($80 bundled with Palm version)

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

Distinguishing Features: Gives “meta-feedback” about tasks: how much time are you spending in different areas of your life (i.e., work, family, hobbies, etc.), and are you keeping it balanced? Palm and Windows versions available.

News: Another big upgrade, this one jumping from 4.x up to 5.0.1—hard to say what’s going on here without release notes.

MultitaskingAssistant

Developer: Green Cog Software

Current Version: 1.0.3

Price: Donationware

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: Perhaps especially helpful for repetitive and redundant tasks.

News: Web site fails; for three months in a row. If it persists next month, I’ll remove it from the list.

Organized

Developer: iSlayer

Current Version: 1.11

Price: Donationware

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: Dashboard widget with calendar events, tasks, notes, and world clock.

News: None

Stapler

Developer: The Blue Technologies Group

Current Version: 1.1

Price: €7.50 (about $10)

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: Is a combination notepad and to-do list manager, with creation date, notes, and a check-box for completed items. Tasks can be color-coded based on a low-level preference set-up.

News: None

ToDo X

Developer: Omicron Software Systems, Inc.

Current Version: 2.2

Price: $15

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Import from iCal only

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: Offers categories, priorities, and attached notes.

News: None

ZooDo

Developer: InterfaceThis

Current Version: 1.0

Price: Free

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

iPhone Presence: None

Distinguishing Features: A basic task creator for iCal, serving as a collection bucket.

News: None

Browser and Web-based GTD Applications

30 Boxes

Price: Free

Description: Lean and fast, including a calendar, task list, and limited Gmail interaction. Also RSS and iCal feeds, SMS, and sharing. Nice interface, too.

43 Actions

Price: Free (donations get extra features)

Description: Specifically designed as an iPhone web-app, it’s light and lean for EDGE network optimization. Submit inbox items via e-mail, Twitter (with donation), Jott (with donation), and the usual features.

GTDAgenda

Price: Free

Description: Another Web version of a GTD tool, with the standard features, plus addition of Goals, check-lists for recurring tasks, schedule management, and an iCal-compatible calendar. A mobile version is also available.

GTDInbox

Price: Free

Description: A Firefox extension for GTD integration with Gmail. Prepackaged labels, a Review process, specialized searches within Gmail, quick-entry for tasks, and printable. Works well in conjunction with RememberTheMilk. Current version, 2.0.8.4, is open-source; requires Firefox.

GTD-PHP

Price: Free

Description: A PHP solution designed to be locally installed. A simple tabbed interface, capture, and process stages; weekly review. Currently at version 0.8.

Neptune

Price: $10/year

Description: Includes a collection inbox and context or project task viewing panes, as well as inactive projects and tasks. Daily e-mail reminders of tasks; new tasks can be added by e-mail; data export.

Next Action

Price: Free

Description: Uses Google Gears and Firefox; has a lean, basic interface with multiple-list management capability. Works with or without a network connection.

Nexty

Price: Free

Description: PHP-based, so it installs locally and runs in your browser; supports contexts and reminders.

Nozbe

Price: Free

Description: Has markers for which action will be next and a time estimation for tasks. Contexts are visible and identifiable. And it is easy to collect and process quickly. iPhone-ready.

SimpleGTD

Price: Free

Description: Tabs for next actions, contexts, projects, and done actions; drag-and-drop organization; easy un-doing of tasks.

Toodledo

Price: Free

Description: Has a Firefox plugin and a Google gadget for easy collection; also supports e-mail, voice mail, and traditional entry for collection. Includes a good overview of GTD in co-operation with its tools, as well. iPhone-optimized.

Tracks

Price: Free

Description: A Web server that runs locally, or hosted through tracks.tra.in. Fast, lean, and pretty, it offers calendaring and a multi-user component. Currently at version 1.6.

Vitalist

Price: $5/month (premium)

Description: Is a wide-scale GTD system: collection, project management, recurring actions, and tickler files. Includes a mobile edition, iCal and RSS feeds, and e-mail and SMS reminders. An iPhone-specific version is available. A premium (paid) version also includes security encryption, collaboration, file attachments, and calendaring.

GTD and Task Management Wikis

Also in This Series

Reader Comments (6)

Ben Smith-Mannschott · November 3, 2008 - 13:00 EST #1
http://orgmode.org

http://orgmode.org/worg/org-gtd-etc.php

A GNU Emacs extension. Not for everyone. I love it though because it stores all its information as plain text and runs on all platforms. This way I can keep my todo information in sync between my various computers using a version control system (Subversion).
Tim Wood · November 3, 2008 - 18:39 EST #2
Please provide links to the product's website not just the iTunes store version of a product. A number of the products in the "iPhone Applications (not Web Apps)" section have desktop version that are supposed to sync with the iPhone version. While google is a good tool, googling "Chores" gets a lot of results.
Tim Wood · November 3, 2008 - 19:18 EST #3
One general comment about the products mentioned here that supposedly have iCal and iPhone sync. The fact that most of these products don't synchronize with the desktop surprises me. Most of those that do are set up as if you've never entered a to-do in iCal. For me, my first test of a to-do list program is can I get my existing to-do's in and easily starting using the program in a basic way. If I have to invest hours to get to that point, I might as well stick with the lousy to-do manager in iCal and carry a printed list with me.

A summary of some key issues with some of the products:

* Dejumble - synchronization has to be done via their server. You better hope they have proper security and that they stay in business ... otherwise you'll end up with two disconnected islands of data or someone else will end up with your data.

* OmniFocus - there's no way to bring in your existing tasks and the synchronization looks like it's really push to iCal not true sync. Retype all your to-do's and be careful to never enter something in iCal's Task list when you're using iCal's calendar.

* Easy Task and Things - both happily pull in your existing iCal To Do's but not their completion status. If you've got all Palm Desktop data in there, you'll finally realize how productive you are! Be prepared to click 'done' a lot.
Tim Wood · November 3, 2008 - 19:20 EST #4
Before trying any of these programs, backup your iCal data. Some of these programs are buggy and will trash your iCal to-do list.
Max Thibodeaux · November 8, 2008 - 11:52 EST #5
I use ThinkingRock because it can be run from both a mac or a pc via thumbdrive-- even one you don't have privileges to the PC.
Ed Eubanks Jr. (ATPM Staff) · December 1, 2008 - 15:46 EST #6
Hi Tim and Max,

Thanks for the comments; sorry to be delayed in getting back to them.

Tim, good suggestion on the links; I'll work on that for the January version of the list.

Also, good comment on iCal syncing; yes, some of the "syncing" is limited. That's the way the authors have chosen to do it, in many cases-- for whatever reason they personally prefer it that way, or couldn't get the kinks worked out of a full sync, etc.

As for OmniFocus: it DOES offer a full synchronization with iCal, and it WILL pull in new tasks from iCal (even at first run). For this (and many of the other applications), reading the documentation before you just start playing around (and inadvertently muddling things up) can be a blessing.

And yes, backing up iCal data before the first run (and frequently thereafter!) is a great idea.

Max: I've heard that about Thinking Rock. That's a nifty feature.

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