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by Ed Eubanks Jr.

Master List, April 2011

About the List

I mentioned last time that I would be taking a hard stand against the “gossamer-ware” that crowds up the list. I’ve addressed it to a large degree, and you’ll see a number of candidates for elimination in the next iteration of the list. (Folks curious about older packages can always check the archives.) I also cleaned up the Web sites/browser-based packages list a bit.

Meanwhile, two new applications have been added: Pagico and Wunderlist. Thanks to those who suggested these—both look promising.

I always welcome any feedback on my list or suggestions for additions. I don’t always add every suggestion, but I’ll look at them and evaluate whether they fit with my goals for this column.

Locally Installed GTD Applications

EasyTask Manager

Developer: Orionbelt.com

Current Version: 2.6.1

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) (January 2011)

iPad Presence: App (free), Web app (free) (March 2011)

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4

Required Applications: None

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

News: None

Ghost Action

Developer: Ghost Park Software

Current Version: 1.3.2 (last update: 2009)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

iKog

Developer: HensPace

Current Version: 1.90 (last update: 2008)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

mGTD

Developer: Jeff Fisher

Current Version: 1.3 (last update: 2008)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Midnight Inbox

Developer: Midnight Beep Softworks

Current Version: 1.4.4 (last update: 2009?)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

OmniFocus

Developer: Omni Group

Current Version: 1.8.2

Price: $80

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App ($20)

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.8

Required Applications: None

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

News: None

Pagico

Developer: Pagico Software

Current Version: 4.3

Price: $20, “Planner” and “People” editions; $50, “Professional” edition

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: via export

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 and higher

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Has CRM (Customer Relationship Management) features combined, lending greater power for workplace task management; cross-platform; synchronization between multiple computers via Dropbox.

News: None

Pluto menubar

Developer: MOApp Software Manufactory

Current Version: 5.1.1 (no longer available)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Ready, Set, Do!

Developer: Todd Vasquez

Current Version: 1.4.5

Price: $30

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: Yes

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4

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; productivity scoring; help with files and tasks related to meetings; multiple language support.

News: None

TaskPaper

Developer: Hog Bay Software

Current Version: 2.2.1

Price: $30

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App ($10)

iPad Presence: App ($10)

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5

Required Applications: None

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

News: None

The Hit List

Developer: Potion Factory

Current Version: 0.9.3.25 (beta) (last substantive update: August 2010)

Price: $50 (pre-order)

Development Status: Beta

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: No

iPhone Presence: No (but indicated as “coming”)

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: List view and “card” view; task timer; system-wide quick-entry; tabs allow good project management; AppleScript support; tags and prioritization of tasks.

News: None

On the Block: This one is vulnerable to a cut, soon in the future.

Things

Developer: Cultured Code

Current Version: 1.4.5

Price: $50

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App ($10)

iPad Presence: App ($20)

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Some minor enhancements and bug fixes in the latest version.

Thinking Rock

Developer: Avente Pty Ltd

Current Version: 3.1.2

Price: $40/first year; $10/annual subscription (Note: version 2.x is also available for free)

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4

Required Applications: None

Distinguishing Features: Cross-platform compatibility through Java; interactive collection and processing; can be run off of a flash drive.

News: None

What To Do

Developer: Objective Satisfaction

Current Version: 1.3.2 (last update: 2008?)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Locally Installed General Task Managers

Anxiety

Developer: Tom Stoelwinder, Model Concept

Current Version: 1.0 (last update: 2007?)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Chandler

Developer: The Chandler Project

Current Version: 1.0.3 (last update: 2009)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Check Off

Developer: Chrome Dome Software

Current Version: 4.1.1

Price: $13

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: No

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.2

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

News: Check Off was recently purchased from Second Gear. Chrome Dome Software will be retaining many of the features of Check Off, adding some more, and apparently repackaging it in a new (differently titled?) product. This doesn’t affect Second Gear’s Today application (see below).

Dejumble

Developer: Thinking Code Software, Inc.

Current Version: 2.0.2 (beta)

Price: $20

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes (through iCal)

iPhone Presence: App ($8)

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6.6

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

News: Recent update includes Spotlight integration, appearance/interface changes, and some fixes.

Docket

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: App

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.11

Distinguishing Features: Highly customizable system with project management built-in; also works well for heavy day-to-day GTD use.

News: Many bug fixes, a few minor improvements.

Organized

Developer: iSlayer

Current Version: 1.11 (last update: unknown)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Qu-s

Developer: Urban Design Limited

Current Version: 1.53 (last update: 2009?)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Stapler

Developer: The Blue Technologies Group

Current Version: 1.1 (last update: unknown)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

TaskMate

Developer: Ryan Conway

Current Version: 1.2.1 (last update: unknown)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Today

Developer: Second Gear

Current Version: 2.5.2

Price: $25

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: No

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: None

iPad Presence: None

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5

Distinguishing Features: A window interface for quick reference and entry to iCal events and tasks. Allows global shortcuts for viewing and creation of new tasks and events.

News: Compatibility update for Mac App Store sales.

ToDo X

Developer: Omicron Software Systems, Inc.

Current Version: 2.3 (last update: unknown)

On the Block: We’re no longer tracking this one.

Wunderlist

Developer: 6Wunderkinder

Current Version: 1.1.1

Price: free

Development Status: Release

iCal Sync: Yes

QuickSilver Plug-in: No

Web-app Sync: Yes

Print Lists: Yes

iPhone Presence: App

iPad Presence: App

OS Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5

Distinguishing Features: Lots of shortcuts and helpers to gather and share data.

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.

Other Browser/Web-based Task Managers

GTD and Task Management Wikis

iPhone Applications (not Web Apps)

Also in This Series

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
Master List, May 2009 · May 2009
Complete Archive

Reader Comments (4)

Todd · April 3, 2011 - 14:32 EST #1: Great list but OmniFocus has an iPad app and ThinkingRock has an iPhone app.

Dennis VanWormer · April 5, 2011 - 20:48 EST #2: Just a note on Taskpaper versions. You have 2.2.1 listed. 2.2.2 came out last May, and 2.2.3 just came out a day or two ago.

Rowan · April 6, 2011 - 03:30 EST #3: I was looking for a desktop client for Toodledo (so that I can add tasks on my Mac then sync to my iPad using either 2Do by Guided Ways or Todo by Appigo) and guess what? There's only one: TaskSurfer, which you don't mention.

Ed Eubanks Jr. (ATPM Staff) · April 11, 2011 - 21:04 EST #4: Todd: good catch there; I talked about OmniFocus for iPad in a recent column. I didn’t know about the Thinking Rock iPhone app, though.

Dennis: another good catch. Now I’m starting to wonder if I accidentally started with an old version of my list…

Rowan: never heard of TaskSurfer. Thanks for the tip.

ATPM 17.04April 2011

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Next Actions

Master List, April 2011

About the List

Locally Installed GTD Applications

Locally Installed General Task Managers

Browser and Web-based GTD Applications

Other Browser/Web-based Task Managers

GTD and Task Management Wikis

iPhone Applications (not Web Apps)

Also in This Series

Reader Comments (4)

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ATPM 17.04
April 2011