Getting Things Done (GTD) is perhaps the favorite productivity system of Apple geeks (see “Getting Things Done with Your Macintosh, Part 1,” 24 July 2006). The system, created by David Allen and described in his book “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity,” has achieved a cult-like status in the Apple community, thanks in part to Merlin Mann’s legendary (though long abandoned) 43 Folders blog.
For those unfamiliar with GTD, the fundamental concept involves dumping everything you need to do or might need to do into a trusted system, and then organizing those tasks, not in order of importance, but by a context of where or when you can complete those tasks. For instance, you can’t buy eggs at home, so there’s no need to worry about it there, so you would put that task into the @OUT or @STORE context. Likewise, if you want to plant flowers, you can only do that at home, so there’s no reason to think about it while you’re 30,000 feet in the air.
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If a task takes more than one action, it becomes a project. For instance, let’s say you have a task called “write OmniFocus 2 review.” But that’s not just one action, it’s a series of actions. First, you have to do some research, take some screenshots, write a draft, etc.
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It’s an attractive framework for organizing one’s task list, but one notable problem with GTD today is that many of the techniques outlined in David Allen’s original book are almost laughably out of date. Almost no one uses a PalmPilot or even paper folders anymore.
The Mac software market has been flooded with GTD-specific tools, but the most lauded is perhaps OmniFocus, from the Omni Group, which was first announced on 8 January 2008:
It’s just going to get better from here: we have big plans for OmniFocus 1.1 — 2.0 in the works. Download worms free for mac.
Much has changed from OmniFocus’s bumpy launch (see “OmniFocus Willing, But Not Quite Ready, To Help Get Things Done,” 30 April 2008). Versions for the iPhone and iPad brought new features and experimented with interface elements. But while OmniFocus for the Mac has seen a few user interface improvements over its six-year run, it has long felt old and crusty compared to its mobile counterparts.
But now, after six long years, OmniFocus 2 is here with a new look and some imported features from the iOS versions. Note that OmniFocus 2 requires OS X 10.9 Mavericks or later.
A Fresh Look — If you’re a long-time user of OmniFocus, the first thing you’ll notice is how different it looks. The Omni Group borrowed heavily from the iOS 7-inspired OmniFocus 2 for iPhone, replacing the tiny square checkboxes with big circles. (In the screenshots below, OmniFocus 1 is pictured on the left, OmniFocus 2 on the right.)
Another major change is that Perspectives have moved from the toolbar to a new sidebar. If you haven’t used OmniFocus before, Perspectives are essentially filters that let you view your task lists in different ways. For example, you can view tasks organized by context or project, limiting the results to the first available item in each project.
Options for viewing Perspectives have been greatly simplified. Just as in OmniFocus 1, you click View in the toolbar to see Perspective options, but in OmniFocus 2, instead of seeing a series of pop-up menus, you’re presented with a simpler popover with fewer options.
OmniFocus 2 features an improved inspector, about which Matt Neuburg lamented in his original OmniFocus review. No longer a separate window split into multiple tabs, the new inspector is now a single pane integrated into the main OmniFocus window, toggled on and off by clicking Inspect in the toolbar. Esoteric icon-only buttons are now more verbose, with textual annotations. Also included are handy +1 buttons for day, week, or month, for faster date entry.
My favorite feature of OmniFocus, the Quick Entry box, also received a visual overhaul. Press Control-Command-Option-Space anywhere while OmniFocus is open and you can enter a new task along with relevant metadata. In order to streamline it, The Omni Group removed a few options from the quick entry box, such as being able to attach an image or set a task as recurring. The revised Quick Entry box sums up much of the OmniFocus 2 redesign: streamlined, nicer to look at, but with a few less features than before.
Clipping — Among the dropped features is the Clip-O-Tron 3000 plug-in for Apple Mail, as is the Safari clipper plug-in (though that has been missing for a while).
Clip-O-Tron 3000 has been replaced by a newish service: OmniFocus Mail Drop, which is a part of the Omni Sync Server. Log in to your Omni Sync Server account (or create a new one), and you can create a special email address that, when you forward messages to it, will create new items in your OmniFocus inbox. It’s not as flexible as Clip-O-Tron 3000, but it’s not dependent on Mail, and won’t break with every update to Mail.
To send selected text from any other app to OmniFocus, you can use an included “OmniFocus 2: Send to Inbox” service. However, due to sandboxing limitations, you cannot set a keyboard shortcut for this from within OmniFocus. Instead, you must navigate to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services, and assign a shortcut there.
Quick Open — As you accumulate tasks in OmniFocus, sorting through them to find a particular item quickly can become cumbersome. A small, but welcome, new feature is Quick Open, which lets you quickly access any context, project, or task. To use it, click Quick Open in the toolbar, or press Command-O. Type in a few letters in the name of the item you wish to access and press Return.
Forecast Mode — It’s a pain switching between your calendar and OmniFocus to see what needs to be done on a particular day. That’s why probably the best new feature imported from iOS is Forecast Mode, which shows both your time-based tasks and your calendar items all in one place.
Review — An essential, but often overlooked, aspect of GTD is the weekly review, in which you clear out old tasks you might have forgotten to do or check off throughout the week, and write down any tasks in your head that you haven’t yet entered.
Yet another feature borrowed from the OmniFocus iOS apps, Review mode lists all of your current projects on a regular basis, in a special Perspective, giving you a chance to see if your tasks are up to date. By default, all projects are set to be reviewed weekly, but you can change this for each individual project in the inspector. When you’ve reviewed all your projects, click Mark Reviewed to reset them until the next review period comes up.
But what about one-off tasks that aren’t assigned to a project? Don’t worry, they’re added to a catch-all Miscellaneous project, so you won’t miss a thing.
One enhancement I’d like to see in the future is a notification when it’s time to review my projects, as I have trouble remembering to review them.
Pricing — New OmniFocus licenses have always cost $79.99 (with steep educational discounts), but with OmniFocus 2, things are a little different. There are now two tiers of OmniFocus: the $79.99 Pro and the $39.99 Standard.
The only difference between the two is that Pro adds some power user features like custom Perspectives and AppleScript support. So if you’re curious about OmniFocus, there is now a less expensive option.
As for upgrades, the good news is that if you purchased OmniFocus directly from Omni after 1 February 2013, you’ll receive a free upgrade to OmniFocus 2 Pro. For those who purchased from Omni before that date, upgrades to OmniFocus 2 Pro and Standard cost $39.99 and $19.99 respectively.
However, if you purchased from the Mac App Store, things work a bit differently. Omni isn’t offering discounts on the Standard version of OmniFocus 2 for anyone, but if you already own OmniFocus 1, you can upgrade to OmniFocus 2 Pro for $39.99.
But, the question is, should you bother upgrading from OmniFocus 1? Frankly, most of the upgrades are cosmetic and OmniFocus 2 might break the workflow of some power users, so if you’re utterly satisfied with your current experience, you may not wish to upgrade.
For new users, though, now is a great time to dive into OmniFocus, thanks to the new, lower price of OmniFocus 2 Standard.
Getting Getting Things Done — I’ve tried just about every task manager out there, but when push comes to shove, OmniFocus is the reliable old workhorse I depend on.
Sure, it’s not perfect. For one, OmniFocus is pricey. Between the $79.99 for OmniFocus 2 Pro, $39.99 for OmniFocus for iPad, and $19.99 for OmniFocus 2 for iPhone, that’s a whopping $139.97 to install a fully functional OmniFocus on all of your devices. Even with all that expense, OmniFocus has no collaboration features, so it works only for me, myself, and I.
So why do I use it? If I had to sum up why OmniFocus works so well for me and for many others, it would be two things.
I know what you’re thinking. “Why would you spend so much on an app that hides the things you’re supposed to do?” In a word: focus. If I don’t need to think about an item right away, I defer it until later, then set my Perspective to hide it until the defer date. I can set projects to be sequential, as opposed to parallel, so OmniFocus hides the subsequent steps until I’ve completed the current one. Likewise, Perspectives allow me to filter out everything except what I’m working on. No other tool allows the level of focus that the aptly named OmniFocus provides.
If you’re just starting out with GTD, I recommend skimming David Allen’s book as well as listening to Merlin Mann’s three-part “Back to Work” series on GTD. But you can learn to use OmniFocus and GTD without reading anything. Here’s how:
When establishing your own contexts, keep in mind that a context is a place or a thing you need to accomplish a goal. For instance, let’s say you need to scan some documents. You can’t do that without a scanner, so you might create a @SCAN context for that task.
David Allen suggests a few contexts in his book like @COMPUTER, @HOME, @OFFICE, and @PHONE. But those distinctions are easily blurred today. I always have a phone with me, and it also doubles as a computer! To complicate matters, I work from home. How do I separate them out?
My contexts are more about mental spaces. For instance, three of my contexts are @HOME, @OFFICE, and @TIDBITS, the latter of which is a subset of @OFFICE. For example, I can do my taxes from anywhere in the house, but my office, where I keep my Mac, is the most logical place to work on them. But I wouldn’t do my taxes on TidBITS time. Likewise, I might need to pull weeds in the yard, but I’m not going to do that while sitting in my office. Think about what makes sense for you, and don’t be afraid to ditch contexts that you don’t end up using.
Also, it’s important to set some time aside every day and every week to review your task list to prune old items, eliminate things you know you’re not going to do, and to add any new items you might have missed. As I said, I am terrible at remembering to do this, but I’m trying to get better. Maybe I should set up a weekly task to remind myself to review my OmniFocus list?
Last, but not least, always keep in mind that GTD and OmniFocus need to work for you, not the other way around. David Allen isn’t some deity, he’s just a guy who came up with a system that works well for some people. For instance, it’s common GTD wisdom that everything you need to do that takes longer than two minutes should go in your list and be sorted appropriately. But when I try to adhere to that, I end up spending all of my time fiddling with OmniFocus.
So my own GTD system is lax. In a typical week, I have only a dozen or so general tasks that I have to keep in mind, and it’s usually more efficient and less stressful to keep those in my head. I go to OmniFocus when I have a deadline or when I’m drowning in tasks that must be done. When it comes to outlining a complex series of tasks and projects and helping me stay focused on what matters, OmniFocus is the best tool I’ve found.
Some may scoff at my sloppy workflow, but that’s OK. In the end, it’s not about how well you implement GTD, but how efficiently and completely you accomplish the tasks you need to get done. When it comes to that, OmniFocus is the best tool I’ve found for the job, and between its streamlined interface and reduced entry price, OmniFocus 2 is a great way to get started.
Android users use their smartphones and tablets in a lot of different ways. Android devices can be used for entertainment and fun. You can use your device for playing games, watching movies, reading books, and much more.
Android devices can also be used for productivity. There is a plethora of apps from the Google Play Store can help you do things easily. More and more users are bringing their Android devices as they go out and face daily challenges. That’s why we compiled some of the best Android apps that will help you get things done, fast and easy.
Dropbox
We have a lot of devices that can help us do our tasks. We have our computers at home, smartphones in our pockets, and the PC in the office. Because of hectic and busy schedules, we tend to carry our work around. Many of us even bring portable USB drives so we can bring our documents from work to home and vice-versa.
But, how would you like saving your files on your office PC and making them instantly accessible on your home computer? Introducing the Dropbox app for your computer and Android device.
Dropbox is like a magic box that lets you save your files and automatically makes them available on other PCs and Internet-connected devices. Every file you save to the Dropbox folder on one device will automatically sync your files to all your Dropbox folders on other devices. You can also use Dropbox to share your files with your friends. This is a great way to easily share files and easily finish team tasks. This app is perfect for sharing documents and making group projects.
Evernote
Make your Android device an extension of your brain with the Evernote app. If you don’t have good memory, you can use this app’s huge memory so you will never forget things. This app allows you to take notes, record an audio file, take pictures, and make your own to-do list.
You can snap a picture of a gift idea in the shopping mall, save an audio file of your best friend’s speech, make a note for your class lecture, and a lot more. What’s more is that you can access your saved file on your computer via Evernote’s desktop counterpart.
Evernote also allows you to share your files with your friends. You can easily send your class notes, share a picture, and easily perform collaborative tasks with this app.
You can download Evernote for free. But, you will need to buy the paid version to enjoy extended features such as taking notes offline for later viewing, allowing your friends to edit your notes, and add a pin to your Evernote app.
Let your Android device become an extension of your brain through the Evernote app.
Business Calendar
In a hectic and busy environment, one must able to keep track of time and one’s schedule. If you’re a person who has a lot of agendas in a day, you should use the Business Calendar Free app on your Android device. This app will help you do things and track your day.
This app displays your agenda in a graphical and textual presentation. Add some color to your agenda and keep your calendar neat and attractive. The app also allows you to put a widget on your homescreen. You can select a widget for monthly, weekly, and daily agenda. Your saved agenda are also synced to your Google Calendar and can be accessed on your PC.
Other features include a search function, an overview of your daily agenda, intuitive handling options, letting you add recurrent events, and many more.
The Business Calendar app comes free from the Google Play Store. Download the premium version and enjoy the extended features such as configuring the app and widget’s font size, dragging and dropping events onto the calendar, adding your contacts on your calendar, 11 different themes for the widget, and much more.
Do things at the right time with Business Calendar on your Android device.
GTasks: To Do List | Task List
Everyday we have a set of tasks to complete and we feel fulfilled when we’ve completed them. But, because of multiple tasks that need to be done, we sometimes forget some things. That is why you need GTasks: To Do List | Task List to help you complete your tasks and end your day in satisfaction.
GTasks is a simple task list app on your Android device. You only need to add some task lists and fill them up with tasks. For instance, you can add a task list for Groceries and add each item as your task. Beside each item, you can find a check box; once you’ve finished that task, mark it as done.
The app also syncs your tasks with your Google Account so you can check and update your tasks via Google Calendar or your Gmail account.
https://evermajor880.weebly.com/fate-of-the-jedi-audiobook-download.html. The GTasks: To Do List | Task List app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. You can also try the paid version and enjoy premium features such as adding tasks in batches, pattern lock, background sync, and choosing themes.
Assistant
Everyday, we need to accomplish a lot of tasks that make us wish we had a personal assistant to make our life easier. Worry no more, for we have an app that makes your Android device a personal and portable talking assistant. Let me introduce you to the Assistant app.
All you have to do is speak and the app will do its thing. With this app, you can search for the nearest coffee shop, update your Facebook status, ask if you need an umbrella before going to work, send emails and text messages, tell it you’re bored, open an application, and a lot more. No need to utter special commands. Just speak naturally and the app will recognize your commands.
What’s more is that you can customize your personal assistant. You can make your assistant a beautiful female assistant or a handsome man. Your assistant can also express facial expressions and gestures, making the app more human-like. No need to settle for a robotic lady voice-only assistant when you can have your own more human pocket-sized companion. Apple carplay hyundai sonata 2016 download hibrid.
Download the Assistant app for free from the Google Play Store and make your Android device your pocket-sized companion.
Executive Assistant (adware)
We can do a variety of things on our Android smartphones. It is like bringing the features of a desktop computer right inside your pocket. With the things you can do on your phone, you will need the help of Executive Assistant (adware) to assist you and keep you updated on your Android device.
The app is designed to primarily assist users in knowing what’s new on their mobile phones. The app lets you know about received messages, emails, and received calls. The app also updates you on your social network by displaying your Twitter timeline and the latest Facebook news. You can also get the latest reads with your Google Reader account.
Your To-do list and Calendar events can also be seen through this app. You will never miss any appointments and you can complete your daily tasks with Executive Assistant.
Use any of the app’s three modes: as a lockscreen, as a welcome note after unlocking the phone, and as a widget on your Home screen.
Get your pocket-sized assistant for free from the Google Play Store.
Astrid Task
If you are looking for an app that lets you accomplish any collaborative task, then you might want to try Astrid Task on your Android device.
Just like any ordinary to-do list app, this app contains a list of things that need to be done. Under a list, you can find individual tasks. You can also find a check box beside each task; tap the box to mark it as complete. Your lists and tasks are automatically synced to Astrid.com so you can edit and view your lists and tasks on your desktop.
The best part of Astrid is assigning your task to your friends and collaboratively completing the tasks under a list. For instance, you can create a list called “Android Project.” Under that list, you will create a set of tasks that need to be done. You can also assign individual tasks to your groupmates. The app also updates you if the assigned task has been completed.
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Finish your group project at ease with Astrid Task on your Android device.
Mindjet for Android
Transform your ideas into a visual idea map with the Mindjet for Android app. This app lets you create a visual representation of your ideas. You can use this app during meetings, discussion, and creating tasks.
To create a new idea map, just simply create a new map and type in the topic’s name. The title will be the center or main topic of your idea map. To add subtopics, you just have to simply double tap on the main topic. Do the same until your idea map branches out and expands. You can also add symbols to determine which tasks are under schedule or are priority tasks.
Leave your jot-down notebook at home and use Mindjet on your Android device.
wikiHow
Do you know how to make french toast? How do you stay fit and fabulous? Do you know ways to stop aging? If you have been troubled with these questions, worry no more for we have an app that is perfect for you. Featuring the wikiHow app, your all-in-one how-to-do things guide for your Android device.
The app’s main interface consists of three tabs, namely the Featured, Categories, Search, and Bookmarks tab.
You can find the featured how to articles under the Featured tab. Scroll down from the list of how to guides and tap the one you need. On the next page, you will see step-by-step instructions for your chosen topic.
If the articles you are looking for is not on the featured list, just simply tap the Categories tab and choose the appropriate category for your topic. Categories included are Arts and Entertainment, Cars, Computers, Family Life, Finance, Food, Health, Hobbies, Home and Garden, Pets, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Youth, and many more.
For faster searching, try searching for your desired guide in the Search tab. You can also bookmark how to guides and easily access them on the Bookmarks tab.
Make your Android device a how-to wiz with the wikiHow app.
Google Drive
If you need help with your word documents, or you want to easily share files with your contacts, you can do all that through Google Drive. Google Drive lets you save all your files and makes them accessible on any Android device. Your pictures at home, your files for work, your vacation pictures, and all your important documents can be accessed in one place.
If you’re working on an important group project, you can use Google Drive to collaboratively edit your work. Just drag and drop the file to Google Drive and share it with your team members. You can now simultaneously work on your project online. What’s more is that your files can be accessed on any device. Just load up your files on Google Drive and you’re good to go. You can do your work on your PC at home, polish your work on your tablet, and make a final review on your Android smartphone.
Download Google Drive and access your files any time and anywhere you want to be.
With the rapid improvements of technology and the accessibility of these apps, you can surely do things easily and fast.
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What other Android apps are you using for getting things done? Add them in the comments below.
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