Comments on: How to Set up GTD on a Palm http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/ Thinking beyond productivity Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:44:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Carina http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-24790 Carina Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:57:48 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-24790 Hi there, I am considering the purchase of a pda and what ever software may be necessary. I would like to upload checklists onto the pda and be able to check items off as I complete tasks for my customers as well as be able to write additional information next to the given task. Can anyone make a recommendation as to what pda/software combo would best suit my needs? Thanks Hi there,
I am considering the purchase of a pda and what ever software may be necessary. I would like to upload checklists onto the pda and be able to check items off as I complete tasks for my customers as well as be able to write additional information next to the given task. Can anyone make a recommendation as to what pda/software combo would best suit my needs?
Thanks

]]> By: Griff http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-20506 Griff Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:19:56 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-20506 I use a Handspring Visor. About 10 bucks on ebay, does all I need. I was using Life Balance (Windows and Palm) which is excellent, but then I sort of had an epiphany of going back to doing it as shown in this article because of the sheer simplicity. Life Balance used to take a while on my old pda to fully recompute the list when I ticked things off, plus I never used the pie charts, plus (as David Allen says) the whole "prioritised list" thing is really something you can probably never automate fully. Where LB really was invaluable was - having contexts that include other contexts (eg "@Computer" could include @web and @ email) - having contexts that are only "live" at certain times. (eg I'm in the UK - my calls to the USA don't show up on my todo list until 2pm). But these are really just "nice to haves" and you can easily live without them. Simplicty is always the best policy... I use a Handspring Visor. About 10 bucks on ebay, does all I need.

I was using Life Balance (Windows and Palm) which is excellent, but then I sort of had an epiphany of going back to doing it as shown in this article because of the sheer simplicity.

Life Balance used to take a while on my old pda to fully recompute the list when I ticked things off, plus I never used the pie charts, plus (as David Allen says) the whole “prioritised list” thing is really something you can probably never automate fully.

Where LB really was invaluable was
- having contexts that include other contexts (eg “@Computer” could include @web and @ email)
- having contexts that are only “live” at certain times. (eg I’m in the UK – my calls to the USA don’t show up on my todo list until 2pm).

But these are really just “nice to haves” and you can easily live without them.

Simplicty is always the best policy…

]]> By: Newtonizer http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-13743 Newtonizer Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:55:14 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-13743 I'm currently using the system discussed in this article and its helped a lot. Using the Built-In Calendar and To Do/Tasks. Interestingly, I figured out whats described in this article on my own when I studied the very basics of David Allen's GTD. I figured out how you can use @contexts in Tasks/ToDo's and also do the same for meetings and events in Palm OS 5's Calendar which also gives you categories. I have also invested in <b>Agendus</b> but find myself sticking with the basics with the built in apps. Much like a computer (of any platform) you can end up complicating the process and just twiddling with the fancy app if as a sub-conscience procrastination if you will! The fundamental problem with going GTD using a computer's OS is that you are stationary, you can only do limited contexts: @Computer @Online and maybe @Home but you may get distracted. The Palm is fantastic for being very flexible and always being your partner. I tried Moleskins but that was just a status-y type system that ended up being messy and not as quick to jot down or do things. ANd you dont have to use a very sophisticated or newer model Palm. You can really just use a 10+ year old model. In fact, it may actually be more beneficial as you can remain focused on just your GTDs. You can also use other platforms from before like the Apple MessagePads and so on, but they are rather large. Whatever you chose, think flexibility, simplicity and if the gadget allows you to focus. Which is why when I tried using an iPhone, my GTD-ing failed. Its a social-tech-toy, not a productive pro-tech like the Palm. Great article, I hope people discover how great a Palm can be for Getting Things Done. Oh and as an additional tip for Projects - I use Checklist by Guy Waguespack which is freeware and very simple and effective. Life Balance is also very GTD and works great too. I’m currently using the system discussed in this article and its helped a lot. Using the Built-In Calendar and To Do/Tasks. Interestingly, I figured out whats described in this article on my own when I studied the very basics of David Allen’s GTD.

I figured out how you can use @contexts in Tasks/ToDo’s and also do the same for meetings and events in Palm OS 5′s Calendar which also gives you categories.

I have also invested in Agendus but find myself sticking with the basics with the built in apps. Much like a computer (of any platform) you can end up complicating the process and just twiddling with the fancy app if as a sub-conscience procrastination if you will!

The fundamental problem with going GTD using a computer’s OS is that you are stationary, you can only do limited contexts:

@Computer
@Online
and maybe @Home but you may get distracted.

The Palm is fantastic for being very flexible and always being your partner. I tried Moleskins but that was just a status-y type system that ended up being messy and not as quick to jot down or do things.

ANd you dont have to use a very sophisticated or newer model Palm. You can really just use a 10+ year old model. In fact, it may actually be more beneficial as you can remain focused on just your GTDs. You can also use other platforms from before like the Apple MessagePads and so on, but they are rather large.

Whatever you chose, think flexibility, simplicity and if the gadget allows you to focus. Which is why when I tried using an iPhone, my GTD-ing failed. Its a social-tech-toy, not a productive pro-tech like the Palm.

Great article, I hope people discover how great a Palm can be for Getting Things Done.

Oh and as an additional tip for Projects – I use Checklist by Guy Waguespack which is freeware and very simple and effective. Life Balance is also very GTD and works great too.

]]> By: Sheri http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-13078 Sheri Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:36:23 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-13078 OMG! This article is great! I would love a printer friendly version... but, until then, clicking File, Print! OMG! This article is great! I would love a printer friendly version… but, until then, clicking File, Print!

]]> By: Yacko http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-12778 Yacko Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:06:34 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-12778 "While direct-to-device data entry avoids double-entering, most people find that capturing notes on paper is faster and easier when mobile, assuming that paper is reliably close at hand. Jotting notes on paper for later processing provides the luxury of entering data on a full-size keyboard and monitor, and tends to be a more relaxed and focused experience." - One other advantage is the luxury of sitting on an idea for a brief period of time and editing. Not all ideas should make it to electronic GTD, some may be redundant, have a effect on some other idea or can be folded into other notes. Then there are thoughts that are pointless. Seemed like an interesting idea 2 hours ago, but is too weird or no longer relevant. Can't tell you how many times that has happened to me. Some notes only have a shelf life of 2 hours or less. That URL you wrote, that total you wanted to look up, that food you wanted to buy, that topic you researched and concluded has no relevance for you. No reason to commit it electronically if you will do it in the short term, although if you want a record of what you did, then you may want to enter it anyway. Typically just under half my paper notes are substantive enough to make it into my GTD system “While direct-to-device data entry avoids double-entering, most people find that capturing notes on paper is faster and easier when mobile, assuming that paper is reliably close at hand. Jotting notes on paper for later processing provides the luxury of entering data on a full-size keyboard and monitor, and tends to be a more relaxed and focused experience.”
-
One other advantage is the luxury of sitting on an idea for a brief period of time and editing. Not all ideas should make it to electronic GTD, some may be redundant, have a effect on some other idea or can be folded into other notes. Then there are thoughts that are pointless. Seemed like an interesting idea 2 hours ago, but is too weird or no longer relevant. Can’t tell you how many times that has happened to me. Some notes only have a shelf life of 2 hours or less. That URL you wrote, that total you wanted to look up, that food you wanted to buy, that topic you researched and concluded has no relevance for you. No reason to commit it electronically if you will do it in the short term, although if you want a record of what you did, then you may want to enter it anyway. Typically just under half my paper notes are substantive enough to make it into my GTD system

]]> By: Inner Prop http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-4791 Inner Prop Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:32:44 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-4791 I hope this post still gets checked for comments. I have a problem. When I put a task in Palm Desktop with no date it goes in fine, but if I go back into it and edit the note, Palm Desktop assigns it a date of 12/31/2031. This will cause it to disappear if I have the view set for Due Today. I have a lot of recurring tasks and I think one of the strengths of an electronic system is to remind you later and repettitively. I lose that if I can't put a repeating event. The problem is, when I have a repeating task and the view is set for View All, the event shows up. If I then check it off, it remains, but the due date is changed. If I'm not careful, I'll check it off again and again. If the view is not set for Due Today, that automatically-re-dated task will go to the bottom of the list, negating it's usefulness. I hope this post still gets checked for comments. I have a problem. When I put a task in Palm Desktop with no date it goes in fine, but if I go back into it and edit the note, Palm Desktop assigns it a date of 12/31/2031. This will cause it to disappear if I have the view set for Due Today.

I have a lot of recurring tasks and I think one of the strengths of an electronic system is to remind you later and repettitively. I lose that if I can’t put a repeating event. The problem is, when I have a repeating task and the view is set for View All, the event shows up. If I then check it off, it remains, but the due date is changed. If I’m not careful, I’ll check it off again and again.

If the view is not set for Due Today, that automatically-re-dated task will go to the bottom of the list, negating it’s usefulness.

]]> By: Erik http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-3928 Erik Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:42:54 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-3928 Well done. Great summary! Well done. Great summary!

]]> By: Jose Rivera http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-2386 Jose Rivera Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:20:50 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-2386 I have been trying to use an old Palm Tungsten E for GTD and had a lot of questions that were answered here. Excellent job. Keep up the good work. I have been trying to use an old Palm Tungsten E for GTD and had a lot of questions that were answered here. Excellent job. Keep up the good work.

]]> By: John http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-1288 John Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:22:20 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-1288 Really helpful GTD summary, filled in some gaps in my knowledge. Thanks Really helpful GTD summary, filled in some gaps in my knowledge. Thanks

]]> By: Andre http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/02/01/how-to-set-up-gtd-on-a-palm/#comment-1166 Andre Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:50:23 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=22#comment-1166 Hi Seth, (1) The "@Agendas" heading refers to the category name in Tasks (or To Do on older Palms), (2) each person is a "task" on that list, (3) each "task" has a memo attachment, and (4) you have to write the list inside the attachment. In other words, you won't have checkboxes you can tick off inside off the attachment. Granted, this isn't an elegant way to handle Agendas, but the alternative with the built-in app is having a separate Task list category for each individual. On a Windows Mobile device, that's not a problem, since the number of categories aren't limited, but you only have 15 maximum categories on the Palm. With third-party software, like Bonsai, HandyShopper or LifeBalance, you can create nested lists with an unlimited number of items. This would definitely work better for Agendas, since you would expand or collapse the list associated with each person directly underneath that person's name. But it wasn't a big enough issue for me to want to transition from the native task list. Hi Seth,

(1) The “@Agendas” heading refers to the category name in Tasks (or To Do on older Palms), (2) each person is a “task” on that list, (3) each “task” has a memo attachment, and (4) you have to write the list inside the attachment.

In other words, you won’t have checkboxes you can tick off inside off the attachment. Granted, this isn’t an elegant way to handle Agendas, but the alternative with the built-in app is having a separate Task list category for each individual. On a Windows Mobile device, that’s not a problem, since the number of categories aren’t limited, but you only have 15 maximum categories on the Palm.
With third-party software, like Bonsai, HandyShopper or LifeBalance, you can create nested lists with an unlimited number of items. This would definitely work better for Agendas, since you would expand or collapse the list associated with each person directly underneath that person’s name. But it wasn’t a big enough issue for me to want to transition from the native task list.

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