Get Stuff Done: Three GTD Apps Reviewed
Over the past two months, there were numerous updates to several GTD-applications (GTD stands for Getting Things Done). Since productivity is a topic that a lot of us tend to struggle with, here are 3 great apps that will possibly help.
What ToDo
ToDo is a very flexible To-Do list. It allows you to group tasks according to either due date, project or context. I really liked the latter two options because it allows you to quickly see what needs to be done wherever you are. For example when I'm disconnected from the tubes of the internet, I can quickly view my non-web tasks and perform them.
The interface is very simple and clean, which minimizes distractions. Own a .Mac account? What ToDo can synchronize your tasks between multiple computers, so you always access it at work or at home. You can download a free trial of What ToDo from Objective Satisfaction. It will cost $29 to register, which is slightly expensive since its feature set is fairly minimal
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
What's new in Version 1.1.1: This version improves the .Mac syncing robustness.
iGTD
iGTD also provides the option of organizing tasks by project and context, but with more features like start date, priority and system integration. Setting priorities is something essential to me as I tend to procrastinate a lot, and is also a feature that What ToDo is lacking.
One of the cool features iGTD has are F-key tricks. For example, hitting F6 will copy the web page address from the current browser into iGTD. It also works in Mail, Entourage, Finder and TextEdit by copying mails/files/text. Seamless integration? Check.
iGTD's interface is slightly more cluttered compared to the simplicity of What ToDo. The iGTD icon in the dock also shows the number of uncompleted tasks in the inbox just like Mail.app's unread messages, which is a nice touch. iGTD is available for free from Bartek Bargiel, although donations are always welcomed.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
What's new in Version 1.4.2.1: A new context/project chooser for the Quick Add Window, expanded/collapsed branches are saved and restored between launches, improved F-key trick support and a Quicksilver extension.
Midnight Inbox
Midnight Inbox is the most feature-laden application out of the three. Not only can you gather files/text/email/bookmarks from “anywhere that stuff piles up, you can also set it to automatically gather these items, so each time new mail arrives, it'll be waiting in Midnight Inbox, waiting to be processed.
There's the usual ability to sort by project or context, although it's called ‘Organize’ and ‘Work’. The top bar of the app displays the current task to be completed, and even includes a timer to ensure you stay on track. Very handy.
It also includes a section called “Reference, which stores things like research, things to learn, agendas and basically anything that needs to sit around. This could well replace my del.icio.us bookmarks, and anything else that should be filed away for later reference.
Getting acquainted with all the features does take some time; I found it slightly intimidating initially with all that new stuff, but I did get used to it after a while. Midnight Inbox proved to be a very powerful tool, and is available for $35 from Midnight Beep Softworks.
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
What's new in Version 1.1.5: Fixes to printing, syncing issues, various documentation updates and typo corrections.
What kind of system do you use to get stuff done?
What? No mention of Actiontastic? For shame, fellas.
Linkage: http://kaboomerang.com/blog/
Hi there, thanks for talking about our app! I’d like to add that we’ve just put out version 1.2, with some cool new features…
@Bill: We were looking at GTD apps that were updated in the past two months. I consider myself part of the “delicious generation”, so I must say Actiontastic looks very pretty. I’ll review it sometime soon.
@Mark: Awesome! I’ll try it out tonight.
Midnight Inbox was a program that I always was so close to purchasing but never made that commitment. I don’t have enough of a need for it yet, but an amazing application from what I’ve seen.
I absolutely love Midnight Inbox, thans for showing me! It may be feature laden, but it’s interface puts iGTD to shame, and that’s what kept me from using iGTD, it really looks disgusting.
I really wish What To Do was freeware, it is a bit costly even though it is limited. But, nonetheless, I might buy it because it is exactly what I need.
Sorry everyone, I really find iGTD to be the king of the lot. I use my keyboard a lot, and would describe myself as a QuickSilver power-user/junkie.
… and that may have more than a little to do with it.
I also find Inbox to be a little over-the-top from a graphic design standpoint. I loathe the use of serif fonts in the UI, for example… and let iTunes be iTunes, please. Here again, the simple elegance of iGTD is a winner for me.
All that said, Inbox is great software, as I was able to see from the well-produced screencast that was posted to their site recently, and don’t mean to imply there’s any sort of shortcomings with it.
I simply wanted to weigh in with some support for iGTD, which is a fantastic, tastefully-crafted tool that has come a really long way in a very, very short window of time… AND is free. I did make a donation; thanks, Bartek!
I use the fantastic iGTD. It’s updated very frequently and always added some new remarkable stuff into the program. It’s very flexible and it can be used in a powerful way even if you don’t do GTD by the book. Many seem to love it as can be seen on http://coolmacapps.com/
iGTD just seems so ugly to me. It feels like a cruddy Java app. It probably has some very powerful features, and I guess people who thrive on complex features love it, and I respect that.
But I usually am too lazy or don’t have the time to do such intricate task maanagement. I’d rather do the tasks themselves. I like Midnight Inbox’s great interface, that ask you GTD questions about your “stuff”, and thus minimizes your thinking. Also, it collects stuff for you, emails and todos, which is great. All in one place.
I’m doing a blog series right now about my GTD implementation, dubbed ChaiGTD. Check it out.
You might also check out a new GTD-like online application. Warning: it’s in beta.
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