Notational Velocity (and nvAlt) synced with SimpleNote through Dropbox, so I can access it anywhere. Works like a charm, simple enough so that the setup does not get in the way of anything and I need not have to think about it when note-taking, but robust enough to be everywhere whenever I want it.
Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
11–20 of 22 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#12I'm a huge fan of Vimwiki (https://github.com/vimwiki/vimwiki).
I've got multiple wikis for different projects I work on. I keep the wikis in a Dropbox folder to sync them across devices.
Since I use markdown for my Vimwiki files, I can edit them fairly easily - I use Editorial on iOS when I'm away from a computer.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#13I use Evernote for capturing and Asana for task management (both personal and work projects). I have used a lot of tools in the past (Omnifocus, Simplenote, text files, Emacs org-mode, Trello, Google tasks..., Clear) but I'm quite happy with my current setup. Now that Asana has a native app, both work well-enough in desktop, mobile and tablet.
Some people try to use one tool (for example Evernote) for everything, but in my opinion there are benefits to separate ideas, writings, sketches from tasks that need to be done.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#14So, i bring three things wherever i go:
- Sticky notes: Yes, a small sticky notes is enough. I write down all my to-do list _at that day_ in that small sticky notes. If my todos do not fit on single sticky note paper, i must write it on another paper (for another day).
- A small book: B5/A5 size is good. It is very effective when i am unable to pick up my phone (e.g.: in commuter). I write most of my ideas there.
- Google Keep (within my Phone): Seriously, i have tried Evernote, Springpad, etc, and nothing suits my usecase. I don't need categories, tags, etc. What i need is stream, because i don't care my old notes. I don't care about reminder a month ago to buy a juice for my mom. I only care about newer notes.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#15I use TiddlyWiki (http://tiddlywiki.com/) for research notes and daily work logs. At home, I track productive time (e.g., studying, reading books) using a timer, listing the amount of time devoted to each subject/book (per day) in a tab-separated file. I have not needed any sort of organizer for scheduling or for remembering good ideas.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#16I use Trello, and then I have it sync with Google Calendar. That way, I can handle individual tasks with the flexibility that Trello allows, but use Google Calendar when I need a broad picture of due dates. For me, to-do lists are far too limiting. Trello strikes the right balance, however, when it comes to customizability.
+1 for Trello
I link to Google Docs for anything I can't fit into it.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#17I noticed OP has asked similar questions in the past and it just shows how the problem hasn't really been addressed properly.
I've been working on Catalist to solve this exact issue and that too, for teams. The premise is that by having your checklists, pipelines, and notes all in one place you can actually have full context of what you need to do. It also makes it easy to take a shot at visualizing productivity through additional signals like time tracking, general activity, and more.
Sign up for a free trial (http://www.catalist.me)
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#18I use TiddlyWiki ( http://tiddlywiki.com/ ) for research notes and daily work logs. At home, I track productive time (e.g., studying, reading books) using a timer, listing the amount of time devoted to each subject/book (per day) in a tab-separated file. I have not needed any sort of organizer for scheduling or for remembering good ideas.
Your workflow sounds eerily similar to how mine used to be. I'm working on Catalist (http://www.catalist.me) and would love to connect. I've built in a timer (via a Play button) to easily time your tasks so might be worth exploring.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#19Ideas/Notes: Google Keep & OneNote
Tasks: Outlook Tasks
I can not recommend Outlook Tasks enough. I'd used Outlook for years never giving this more than a cursory glance. A few months back our entire office was placed on an outlook training course. I went in thinking this would be a waste of a day, yes a whole day on Outlook! It was worth it and I came out a convert for some functionality i'd not explored properly, tasks being one. You have to spend the time to restructure the layouts (best thing is open task view next to the calendar and default to this view not email) and build categories. Then have the discipline to put things in tasks (Ctrl-shift-k). If in a team you can allocate them task too. The latter is great for me as I tend to pass on jobs, assume they will be done and then forget about them til I need it. This helps track these smaller easily forgotten tasks well. I'd really recommend giving it a go.
With OneNote, this is quite powerful but you have to take the time to structure & set it up. But once done it is super efficient to store loads of notes.
I realised I sound like a bit of a MS fan-boy, but I have tried loads of the usual suggestions and found these 2 products work really well together. But like most MS products it take a little learning/effort to get the benefit.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
#20a big fan of keep.google.com
I just throw everything in there and color code it. been using it for a year or so