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Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

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Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#1

Post by owkaye »

I'm seeking a simple to-to list, outliner, or task manager to help me list individual tasks -- and to sub-list in priority order the steps needed to accomplish each task.

I think a tool like this was posted here some time in the past, but I cannot remember its name.

If you have any suggestions for a tool that can handle this in a simple, effective interface please post it in this thread -- and let's discuss the pros and cons of each so I can figure out which is the best tool for my needs.

I seem to have a huge number of tasks to accomplish in the new responsibility I've taken on as a manager of a small farm property, and in between programming projects I would love to be able to go to a simple online tool and immediately see a complete list of all the tasks I need to accomplish -- along with the required steps needed to complete each task -- so I can focus on what I NEED to focus on and therefore become more productive.

Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#6

Post by owkaye »

ramynassar wrote: post #2

THings is a pretty good one, available on many platforms

If you can post a URL and/or provide some reasons why you say this is a good one, that would be helpful. (edit: I found a program called "Getting Things GNOME!" that is probably similar to the one you referred to as "things". Thanks.)

Re: Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#7

Post by rmah »

owkaye wrote: post #4
rmah wrote: post #3

I use a notebook and a pen. Very cheap, highly portable, super high resolution, infinite battery life.

Please do not post time-wasting comments like this. I asked a serious question and I would appreciate a thoughtful and useful answer.

My answer was serious. I've tried computer "to do lists" many times. None are as fast, convenient, accessible, or inexpensive as a simple notebook and a pen. Sometimes the best solution does not involve a computer.

I rewrite my tasks each day. This tends to have the side effect of making me complete those nagging little ones that sometimes seem stay forever.

To prioritize, I just put a little star next to the important tasks. I tried using different color inks and annotating with categories in the past but found this to be a waste of time.

It is a permanent record that I don't have to worry about backing up. I've got notebooks going back over 20 years now.

I guess one down side is that one cannot data mine it, I question the actual usefulness of such an activity.

Re: Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#8

Post by thekevan »

owkaye wrote: post #4
rmah wrote: post #3

I use a notebook and a pen. Very cheap, highly portable, super high resolution, infinite battery life.

Please do not post time-wasting comments like this. I asked a serious question and I would appreciate a thoughtful and useful answer.

No where did you say the tool had to be online. I find paper and pen the best option as well.

Re: Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#9

Post by owkaye »

thekevan wrote: post #8
owkaye wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please do not post time-wasting comments like this. I asked a serious question and I would appreciate a thoughtful and useful answer.

No where did you say the tool had to be online. I find paper and pen the best option as well.

it doesn't have to be online, but it must run on a computer. There, I hope this makes it clear that pen (or pencil) and paper is not an option ... :)

Re: Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

#10

Post by owkaye »

rmah wrote: post #7
owkaye wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please do not post time-wasting comments like this. I asked a serious question and I would appreciate a thoughtful and useful answer.

My answer was serious. I've tried computer "to do lists" many times. None are as fast, convenient, accessible, or inexpensive as a simple notebook and a pen. Sometimes the best solution does not involve a computer. I rewrite my tasks each day. This tends to have the side effect of making me complete those nagging little ones that sometimes seem stay forever. To prioritize, I just put a little star next to the importa…

I've tried pen and paper and it doesn't work well for me.

I have no time or desire to rewrite my tasks every day. There are literally hundreds of them, each with tens or hundreds of sub-tasks needing to be finished before the main task is considered complete.

Basically I want to use a computerized system because I believe that it will be far faster, easier and more flexible for me.

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