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February 2009 Master List
New Additions and Apps to Watch
Check out these additions, some of which I’ll be covering in more detail next month.
A lot of us go a hold of Jumsoft’s Process through the recent MacHeist. Billed as a project manager, it nevertheless offers features that some will want in a task-management application. It might be a bit more than usually fits into the Master List, but I’ll cover it in more detail when I deal with project planning and management.
I’ve been remiss in overlooking Chandler, an open-source project that has been developing nicely. One of the real strengths of Chandler is that it is strong with lists and tasks, but it also includes a capable calendar. You could view it as an iCal replacement that has all of the task management many wanted iCal to have—or you could use it alongside iCal and sync them, which the Chandler Project has made simple. Keep an eye on this one.
Potion Factory has released a preview version of The Hit List which is getting a good bit of affirming attention. I’m not ready to add this one to the big list yet, but if the preview looks good for you then get it for the pre-release discount price of $50 (instead of $70 once version 1.0 arrives).
ToodleDo now has an iPhone application that complements their online presence.
Finally, CalToDo offers a solution for syncing tasks on iPhone with iCal. Somebody remind me why Apple didn’t develop this?
More About the List
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
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
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: None.
EasyTask Manager
Developer: Orionbelt.com
Current Version: 2.1
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: Tags are promised as a high priority in the next upgrade.
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
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
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: None.
iCog
Developer: HensPace
Current Version: 1.90
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: A recent jump to version 1.9 includes a date bug fix and a Python maintenance issue, plus it adds support for plug-ins, thereby opening the door to user modifications.
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
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: The Web site recently saw big changes, including doing away with all of the promises of version 2.0, no more blog, and no forums linked on the front page. Also, version 1.4 beta is available for download.
OmniFocus
Developer: Omni Group
Current Version: 1.5
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 1.5 is now in full release, bringing interface improvements, Bonjour syncing, better archiving, and an improved ability for the database to self-maintain and repair.
Ready, Set, Do!
Developer: Todd Vasquez
Current Version: 1.3f
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: The last 1.3 release, according to the developer—version 1.4 is on the way. 1.3f brings “speed and performance” improvement and some bug fixes.
TaskPaper
Developer: Hog Bay Software
Current Version: 2.0
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: New version 2.0 brings a system-wide quick entry window, AppleScript support, improved search, and a handful of other improvements.
Things
Developer: Cultured Code
Current Version: 1.0.1
Price: $50
Development Status: Release
iCal Sync: Yes
QuickSilver Plug-in: No
Web-app Sync: No
Print Lists: Yes
iPhone Presence: App ($10)
Required Applications: None
Distinguishing Features: iCal sync; repeating tasks; Mail compatibility; tags; network and multi-computer operation; and import/export options.
News: Release at Macworld Expo took Best of Show.
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; can be run off of a flash-drive.
News: The developers have a new Web site, including “membership,” which apparently offers, at least, member-only modules for Thinking Rock.
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
Chandler
Developer: The Chandler Project
Current Version: 1.0
Price: Open Source
Development Status: Release
iCal Sync: Yes
QuickSilver Plug-in: No
Web-app Sync: Yes
Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)
iPhone Presence: None
Distinguishing Features: A good integrated calendar makes this one a fairly full-orbed PIM.
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: The Web site is currently down, preparing for 2.0.
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
FlexCal
Developer: flexgames
Current Version: 1.10
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 task and event creator for iCal—something of a collection bucket for GTD users.
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: 5.0.2
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: A Life Balance iPhone app is now available through the App Store for $20.
NoteBook
Developer: Circus Ponies
Current Version: 3.0
Price: $50 (academic and family pack pricing available)
Development Status: Release
iCal Sync: Yes
QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes
Web-app Sync: No
Print Lists: Yes
Distinguishing Features:
News:
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
TaskMate
Developer: Ryan Conway
Current Version: 1.1.0
Price: Free
Development Status: Release
iCal Sync: No
QuickSilver Plug-in: No
Web-app Sync: No
Print Lists: No
iPhone Presence: None
Distinguishing Features: Ultra-simple task list: remaining tasks in a simple list, completed tasks in a drawer (which can be hidden). Tasks are just single-line descriptions with a checkbox. Could be right for the super-simplified life.
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.
Task Writer
Price: Free
Description: Easy keyboard navigation, good use of calendaring for tasks, and a useful set of attributes for tasks, as well as the ability to auto-hide unneeded list views, help Task Writer to stand out a bit.
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.
Also in This Series
- The Last Action · May 2012
- Master List, April 2011 · April 2011
- GTD for iOS/iPad · February 2011
- E-mail Tricks and Tools · August 2010
- Master List, May 2010 · May 2010
- Inbox Overload · April 2010
- Master List, February 2010 · February 2010
- Getting Back on the GTD Wagon · December 2009
- Master List, June 2009 · June 2009
- Complete Archive
Reader Comments (6)
Great job keeping track of this fast moving space! I personally use Things to manage my tasks, but I use Curio for idea capture and management -- and it does at least as good a job managing tasks as many you've listed here -- and tasks can be spread across the physical idea spaces and even different files, yet be managed through a central hub. Powerfully elegant.
Curio also has a wonderful integration with EverNote, which I use as my knowledgebase.
I use Things because of it's iPhone sync. Both sync with iCal, and I'm looking for a way to seemlessly sync across all three - so my tasks can be played with among the ideas they help bring to fruition.
I just downloaded Chandler and really like it. I had been watching it since its first release and thought it had potential, but not usable. Now, however, Chandler shows signs of maturity, stability, and ease of use. It may become my default for to-do and calendar work.
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