4 ms·

I guess I don't understand how people use task lists. For me, it's a simple list in my text editor that is always open. I use it to free my mind of the next 5-1

I guess I don't understand how people use task lists. For me, it's a simple list in my text editor that is always open. I use it to free my mind of the next 5-10 things I want to do, typically during the current and following day. To me it wouldn't make sense at all to be able to synchronize with my friends or to add tags and other kinds of metadata. That would be extreme over-engineering for my purposes. I am curious: if you use these complex features of a task list, how exactly do you use it and what does your daily routine look like?

MatthewPhillips 15y ago
I think this demonstrates why no one has really "won" the todo list, people use them a variety of ways. I agree that some are over-engineered; those that require you to categorize, color-code, set a due date, but I have no evidence that those types aren't popular with some people. Without having used Any.DO, it appears to strike a decent balance between features and simplicity.
SonicSoul 15y ago
i think it boils down to using what works for you. some people still use pen and paper and carry a list with them.. to me the main feature of such programs is synchronization.. while i may not remember to wear the pants with my pen and paper i will always be next to some internet device that can quickly retrieve such lists. And all the better if said lists are contextual. for now i am still on rememberthemilk.com one thing that is missing from there, is sublists. i'd like a better way of listing steps for each task. i.e. expand something like "Find a cat sitter" and see a list of sources i need to check and be able to check them off, w/out cluttering the main list window. if i could find that (something exactly like RTM but with nice sub-tasks) i'd be a happy camper
jimmyjazz14 15y ago
I use Springpad for the simple fact that it synchronizes across all my computers/devices and lets me categorize my task a little better (work mode vs home mode). Springpad also benefits from other non-task related features though which is why I use it over more specific task list apps.
sirn 15y ago
My TODO list was an OmniOutliner document because I need something that looks like a flexible list than a plain text (so I could edit edit without ever worrying about its structure), but has a free edit capability of text file (because I always outline my thought that way), they roughly looks like this: Fix backup script - rm then cp is lame, other ways? - rsync -az --del? - unison? - Also deposit few more budget to Tarsnap ...and the list keep expanding once I think up of something. For something that I have no idea of what to do about it, it'd remain a single-level item. No other GTD/TODO list capable of doing this or presented this in a way I like (I don't need projects, category, etc., don't think for me, just give me a nestable list, dammit!) That said, once I realized OmniFocus is basically OmniOutliner optimized for GTD, I switched to it and could say it's the best $79 I've spent in a long time. With OmniOutliner, my usage is almost the same except with a slightly optimized interface and ability to sync across devices and some geolocation goodness.
egypturnash 15y ago
Sync: not so much with friends but with myself - I have one todo list on the phone, the iPad, and the computer. Tags: I want to do art stuff. What's in the art tag? I'm going to the grocery store, what's in the grocery tag? (which pops up when I get to the store) and while I'm out what do I need to get for current projects? I used to have a text file but I really found that only worked for stuff that happens at the computer.

MatthewPhillips 15y ago

I think this demonstrates why no one has really "won" the todo list, people use them a variety of ways. I agree that some are over-engineered; those that require you to categorize, color-code, set a due date, but I have no evidence that those types aren't popular with some people. Without having used Any.DO, it appears to strike a decent balance between features and simplicity.

SonicSoul 15y ago

i think it boils down to using what works for you. some people still use pen and paper and carry a list with them.. to me the main feature of such programs is synchronization.. while i may not remember to wear the pants with my pen and paper i will always be next to some internet device that can quickly retrieve such lists. And all the better if said lists are contextual. for now i am still on rememberthemilk.com one thing that is missing from there, is sublists. i'd like a better way of listing steps for each task. i.e. expand something like "Find a cat sitter" and see a list of sources i need to check and be able to check them off, w/out cluttering the main list window. if i could find that (something exactly like RTM but with nice sub-tasks) i'd be a happy camper

jimmyjazz14 15y ago

I use Springpad for the simple fact that it synchronizes across all my computers/devices and lets me categorize my task a little better (work mode vs home mode). Springpad also benefits from other non-task related features though which is why I use it over more specific task list apps.

sirn 15y ago

My TODO list was an OmniOutliner document because I need something that looks like a flexible list than a plain text (so I could edit edit without ever worrying about its structure), but has a free edit capability of text file (because I always outline my thought that way), they roughly looks like this: Fix backup script - rm then cp is lame, other ways? - rsync -az --del? - unison? - Also deposit few more budget to Tarsnap ...and the list keep expanding once I think up of something. For something that I have no idea of what to do about it, it'd remain a single-level item. No other GTD/TODO list capable of doing this or presented this in a way I like (I don't need projects, category, etc., don't think for me, just give me a nestable list, dammit!) That said, once I realized OmniFocus is basically OmniOutliner optimized for GTD, I switched to it and could say it's the best $79 I've spent in a long time. With OmniOutliner, my usage is almost the same except with a slightly optimized interface and ability to sync across devices and some geolocation goodness.

egypturnash 15y ago

Sync: not so much with friends but with myself - I have one todo list on the phone, the iPad, and the computer. Tags: I want to do art stuff. What's in the art tag? I'm going to the grocery store, what's in the grocery tag? (which pops up when I get to the store) and while I'm out what do I need to get for current projects? I used to have a text file but I really found that only worked for stuff that happens at the computer.