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Post by Forum Cat on Aug 29, 2008 8:46:37 GMT
Hi gang,
I am slowly coming around to the idea that I need to get myself organised. I don't use my Psions much anymore (Boo…) and I keep losing my paper lists.
Does anyone here use software to help keep themselves organised? I would be keen to hear of your experiences/recommendations before buying anything.
Mr Cat
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jock
Full Member
Posts: 50
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Post by jock on Aug 29, 2008 12:22:41 GMT
Software really doesn't work for me because unless I have whatever the software is on with me, I get completely disorganised!
It was fine while I carried the Psion around with me, but even using a mobile 'phone doesn't work any more - I can't use it easily while I'm on the bike and we're not allowed to take them on-site at work.
Can I suggest one of those things that people get around Christmas ... what's it called ... old people used to use them, way back in the old days ... something to do with cows ... that's it, a diary!
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Post by Forum Cat on Aug 29, 2008 12:38:48 GMT
S ... something to do with cows ... that's it, a diary! No, it needs to be something that can sync between iPhone and Mac. Those Filofax things are o.k. but they grow to caravan size in about a fortnight if you feed them. Mr C
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Post by CyberChimp on Aug 29, 2008 13:38:21 GMT
The way that I'm forced to 'organise' my own stuff involves a Linux box set up as a server due to needing access from several locations, on a number of computers and variety of operating systems. However there are a couple of pieces of software I can think of off the top of my head which might be closer to what you're looking for (and as far as I know they all offer a 30 day(ish) trial period).... For organising a pretty wide variety of stuff on the Mac, NoteBook by Circus Ponies seems to have quite a few fans (Will Green included if I'm correct). www.circusponies.comAnother pretty good looking info organiser for use on the Mac is Yojimbo by Bare Bones Software, which offers the possibility of some level of integration with MobileMe. www.barebones.com/products/yojimboFor better syncing of notes between your Mac and iPhone then MissingSync by Mark/Space may be worth a try (it can be used to help sync the notes from Yojimbo and iPhone). I haven't used the iPhone version of MissingSync (because I don't have an iPhone), but I do use the PalmOS version regularly. www.markspace.com/missingsync_iphone.php
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Post by beerbum on Aug 29, 2008 21:30:26 GMT
Mr Cat,
In my experience, software is no the answer. Being organised is a mindset not a toolset. You need the mind bit for the tool bit to work. I was (probably) on of the most disorganised people in the world until I read "Getting Things Done" by David Allen (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-free-Productivity/dp/0749922648/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220045189&sr=8-1)
I've bought software, bought time management (paper) systems, psions, palms etc etc - nothing worked but David Allen is the man as far as I'm concerned. Really - read the book - best investment you'll make.... and no technology required (which might put you off ;o) )
cheers _ BB
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Post by beerbum on Aug 29, 2008 21:31:28 GMT
is NOT the answer - must must get better at tipping, typpung ,,,,,, damn it! TYPING
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Post by Forum Cat on Sept 4, 2008 8:21:54 GMT
For organising a pretty wide variety of stuff on the Mac, NoteBook by Circus Ponies seems to have quite a few fans (Will Green included if I'm correct). www.circusponies.comHaving looked at a lot of alternatives I am currently giving Notebook a go. It looks very impressive and it allows me to install on as many Macs as I like. As long as I only use one at a time that is, which is fine by me. Omnifocus looked even better but was too rich for my pocket. iProcrastinate is free and looks great for simple planning tasks such as keeping school and college work organised. Notebook sits somewhere between the two and has a nice "organic" feel to it. Mac only too. I don't know why this last fact is appealing but it is. ;D Mr Cat
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Post by CyberChimp on Sept 8, 2008 13:44:24 GMT
Some additional software which you may (or may not) find useful in the quest for getting organisied is mind mapping software. Among other things this will allow lists, etc to be created in a similar format to a flow chart (which I personally find easier to fathom out and work with than a list), but then be saved and / or printed as a bullet point nested list. In my experience it's the type of software that people find very useful, or a complete waste of time (a bit like Marmite - love it or hate it, but unlikely to be neutral). Java based FreeMind is amongst the most widely used free / opensource mind mapping software freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_PageMindNode by Markus Muller is Mac OSX 10.5 only and available as freeware (with a paid for pro version with extra features due soon) www.mindnode.comInspiration from Inspiration Software is my favourite of the commercial apps (available for Mac, PC, Palm OS and Windows Mobile). Apple Stores tend to stock it retail boxed and a 30 day trial is available form the Inspiration Software website. www.inspiration.com
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Post by beerbum on Sept 8, 2008 15:16:48 GMT
m4macs - brilliant! opensource mindmapping software! Why didn't i think of that?! (OK... so.... I'm stupid)
I was just about to buy some. Thanks for saving me a few pennies!
cheers - BB
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Post by Forum Cat on Sept 9, 2008 10:26:56 GMT
Well I liked Circus Ponies Notebook so much I have bought it.
Just a note for those of you who might want to follow suit.
At the moment it is in version 2. at $50. Version 3 which adds such features as being able to use a graphics pad for handwriting recognition will be out later this month. It will cost more, but is a free upgrade from version 2.
I am using it more or less as a to-do lists manager but it also seems to be just the ticket for anyone who is writing articles or doing research.
Anyway I thought I would give folk the heads up on the potential savings front.
Mr Cat
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scott
Full Member
Posts: 53
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Post by scott on Sept 30, 2008 22:55:30 GMT
Agree with beerbum on the David Allen book, it IS worth reading and if I could only find the time to try to make it work for me I am SURE it would help ! Like lots of folk under extreme pressure I just cant find the time to put a system in place and stick to it. I have sort of tried a few times but not had total commitment to it and have thus failed....
I will try again one day and make it work this time.
I have another book as well which is good called Time Management for System Administrators. If you work in IT it is also well worth a read. Will dig out details if anyone specifically wants it.
Cheers
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Post by Ian Moffatt on Nov 10, 2008 9:12:13 GMT
If you have an iPhone look at 'Evernote' and 'Zenbe' they will sync to your iPhone, Mac and PC (which I have to use at work).
I tried the Missing Sync with Palm, Symbian and iPod Touch. But it can't write notes back (thanks Apple). Evernote and Zenbe store their info on the web and iPhone so you always have it.
Evernote will also take voice and picture notes plus will even recognise text that's in your pictures!
Cheers
Ian
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Post by wierdostomps on Nov 10, 2008 9:54:43 GMT
I'm currently trying out Remember the MilkIt is web-based, so I can access my tasks from any location. Indeed tasks can also be given locations, which means that I can check what I have to do at home/ work etc. Tasks can be shared with other RTM account holders which is useful for anyone who works in a team. It syncs with both iCal and my iPhone. You can use it offline using Google Gears & it syncs with Blackberry/ Windows Mobile etc if you want that. There is an iGoogle Gadget and a Firefox add-in for GMail So far, my only complaints are: 1. it has a strange idea of what a "due" time is. If I say a task is due at 2pm, I mean it should be completed then. RTM means it should be started then. 2. In iCal, all tasks show as being one hour long - irrespective of how long you set in RTM. However, the fact that I have time to respond to this on a Monday morning must be some kind of indication that it is working for me!
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Post by bigalessex on Dec 13, 2008 18:42:07 GMT
You should have a look at things www.culturedcode.com/things/ I think it is going to steel omnifocuses crown as the best mac/Iphone GTD app.
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Alex Coplan
Senior Member
The future of mac...
Posts: 387
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Post by Alex Coplan on Dec 29, 2008 15:53:44 GMT
RTM is good, they have an iPhone app too now, version three of CPNotepad is out now
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