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Posted by Ken
Jun 30, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Tom S. wrote:
>
>
>Ken wrote:
>>Well, I decided to “test’ out some programs with a GTD-inspired task
>management
>>structure that I would like to create. Starting with a trusty sheet of
>blank white
>>paper, I laid out much of what I wanted to manage and track, and how I
>wanted to do so.
>
>Care to share the list? I’d love to know what you think on this and I
>might even add to it.
>
>
>Tom S.
I am happy to share, but it is quite simple, and still evolving, compared to the GTD templates that most people like ot use. I have four folders for the areas of my life: Personal; Home; Work; and, Other. These four folders are visible on one notepad. I have also created the following folders that appear as columns on this same notepad: Next Actions (check box format); Urgency (pop-up menu for determining time frame of when items needs to be handled); Priority (pop-up menu to determine the importance of the item); and, Status (pop-up menu to determine the status of action). This set-up allows me to simply enter any projects and their tasks in one window (for the time being), and use the columns to assign the attributes I described in the last sentence. I then have one other notepad that just shows me items that have a check mark in their Next Action column (from the previous notepad I just described). This way I am not overwhelmed when I want to see what items I have selected for “Next Actions” since I am choosing from this small list. Its a hybrid system that borrows the Next Action concept from GTD, and combines it with the four squares that show the intersections of items that are important/unimportant and urgent/not urgent. I do need to state that this is not my primary calender. That is also handled in Ecco, but this “Task Management” system is a test to see if I can improve my skills at using time more effectively, and reducing that feeling of being overwhelmed. If I like the basic concept and new approach, I can easily incorporate it into my primary file.
Regarding DAM programs, I would have to agree with the statements about iMatch, which I own, and IDImager, which I am beta testing fv.4 or purchase. I think Hert, IDImager’s author, provides amazing customer service, but DAM programs never seem to be as robust and reliable as I wish. And, most of them have less than ideal manuals for using the program. There is one additional program that I am trying, and I have to say that while it may not be quite as powerful as these two programs, it has a must better GUI and manual. It is called FotoAlbum Pro and it is published by Fototime. I plan on using this program until IDImager stabilizes. The program is USB portable and it can create stand-alone catalogs (not slide shows) that can be sent to others for viewing without the need for any software. Now, I’d better get back to my programs if I am ever going to catch up to Jan!! ;)
Take care,
—Ken
Posted by Tom S.
Jul 9, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Ken wrote:
>I am happy to share, but it
>is quite simple, and still evolving, compared to the GTD templates that most people
>like ot use.
Yeah, Ecco is really ideal for this. Those notepads are unique and I’ve never run across anything exactly like them and, like most of the people here, I’ve been looking a long time.
I would only add a couple things to your post. I like using programs that I’m comfortable storing data in along with my projects and Next Actions and calendar. I like looking at the action or appointment and clicking an attachment and working with the data associated with it. Otherwise, particularly with intermittent projects that don’t require concerted effort over as short period of time, I can’t remember where the document or data file I was working with is located. It requires a parallel system to keep them on the drive. In GTD terms, I’d like to have whatever program I use for project tracking also be able to efficiently store associated project materials. The other thing that I absolutely require is a way to track emails.
Unfortunately, Ecco is particularly poor at both storing data and dealing with email. But its so ideal in other ways that I’m still prone to go back to it every once in a while. Considering how important the email integration in particular is to me, that’s a real compliment to the program.
Tom S.