For pete's sake, talk to Merlin Mann, Marc Orchant... let's see, who else...

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I've tried using a wiki for managing my gtd stuff, but it ended up being too slow a process for me (view wiki page, edit wiki page, save wiki page, etc.).

I've looked at almost every possible system of doing gtd online (wiki, gtd rails app, tasksPro, creating a jotspot app, even writing my own app), and nothing satisfactory has emerged. I'd love to know what you're looking at, and I'd be glad to help however I can.

--Josh Wand

(currently implementing gtd with textfiles on a usb thumb drive)

I'm using a Wiki to implement GTD, or the subset of GTD that one can actually implement using a Wiki. :)

The Good:

- Very easy to setup and maintain;

- You can use it anywhere you're online

The Bad:

- You can't use it when you're not online;

- Due to their freeform nature, Wikis aren't as powerful a GTD tool as a GTD-centric, Wiki-like web application would or could be;

- Doesn't provide a calendar, tickler file etc.

What I'd really want is a web-based outliner with integrated calendar and Wiki-like editing functionality. Also, instead of an outliner, an application that uses tags to categorize action steps could be interesting. I hear some people are using Gmail (which lets you tag mails with 0-n custom labels) to implement GTD...

- Hendrik

Count me in for Basecamp and Tada. Def the best and easiest of the bunch (and it's seldom that "best" and "easiest" go together).

As I have read the comments above, and I am attempting to implement my own Web based GTD system I can see the frustration with a Wiki. That was going to be my first attempt. But the calendaring and tickler problem is a problem. You might want to talk to the guys over at <a href="{ Link } Signals</a> and their BaseCamp product. It is for Project Management, but isn't that basically what GTD is (still reading the book), personal project management in a broad term? It has some of the features a Wiki doesn't by default and might be the start to the answer you are looking for.

-FIV

I use a set of Lotus Notes databases running on a domino web server.

I access it from home and work using a web browser. When I'm on the road I use my blackberry. I wrote a slim version of the forms for use with the blackberry browser.

The dbs are contacts, tasks, calendar, tickler, code (code snippets for reference), and docs (frequently used docs for reference). It's not perfect but it works well for me. The Domino Developer IDE makes it really simple to design and maintain such applications quickly.

Why is webbased attractive?

Because my life does not consist just of work (normal company) or just private life (privat) or semiprofessional interest (my blogs and podcasts) or second job life (idea giving person), so I can't have just a planer at work or at home. Web seems to be the place most accessible from all sides.

Just some quick thoughts what I would like to see:

Support for at least the standard charset with "European" chars in it (the reason ta-da list immediatly was thrown out of my bookmarklist because it failed on these basics).

Displaying of dates and timezones the way I am used to - not the typical american way.

Secure connection - I don't want others to share my things.

Accessibly via keyboard. Perhaps not in a strong way like Gmail, but defenetly more than the usual

[] My big long sentence as topic

where you have to click on the tiny little icon to get going - (Be careful to use access keys, they usually mix up with international users.)

Flexibility in adapting: In adapting the content of using 'your method' - most of the time we will not stick just with "the masters method" but use some adaptions. The stricter you would get with your online service, the less people might be attracted.

Export and import possibilites, probably with Outlook (this way you have most of the problems connecting to PDAs solved.

Working on standard browsers.

hth

Nicole

I'm doing my best approximation of GTD in a wiki. It's great for long-term memory of things - as a trusted space it's super - but some of the sorting and organizing aspects leave a bit to be desired compared to a purpose-built application.

Previous to this I had used "The Brain" (and that was pre-GTD) as a kind of weird calendar and memory augmentation system. Itis a system extremely suited for capturing brain dumps at full speed, but again missing the purpose-built tools to drive specific processes to completion.

{ Link }

It is great for project management. I can see how it could be customized for highly effective personal use.

I have been using Microsoft's Sharepoint software to implement GTD. It allows me the flexibility to create custom lists and has a calendar.

It also has many other features that are cool. I implemented a 3rd party feed reader into it, can check the weather and latest news, store my code library (I'm a software developer), and store all types of other useful information and photos.

It allows you to change the look and feel of the site through the admin section and lots of other things I haven't even had time to explore.

The main challenge is transferring items between lists. About six months ago I was in the process of creating custom controls that I could plug in that could handle this, but with my hectic work schedule it hasn't happened. Another thing that is difficult is the fact that you have to have web access to use it. This isn't a problem for me since I spend the majority of my time at my desk. I have thought of some ways to integrate offline functionality into it, but haven't had time to create that either.

Let me know if you would like login credentials to go in and play around. I have one set up for you.

I also set up general user access for viewing a sample so everyone can see what I'm talking about. I put the demo together in about 5-10 minutes. Everything is completely customizable and changeable, but only readable in the demo.

The site is: { Link }

User: demo

Pass: demo

I'll leave it up for a few days if you would like to try it.

Randy

My GTD implementation is all-paper, but I'm working on the computer at a writing project I lay it out in steps with Ta-da. This has two big advantages because I am a terrible procrastinator, always switching to my browser.

- It keeps me constantly aware of the structure of my project;

- It is a big motivator to keep going, because I can see it all laid out in steps.

It's been great. Otherwise I'm really skeptical of web-based GTD implementations. Simple tools like Ta-da are the way to go.

Several people have mentioned Ta-da lists, and I'd definitely look for any web-based GTD app to be as simple and easy to use as sites like Ta-da and del.icio.us. These sites keep it simple and focus on doing one thing really well.

One nice feature that Yahoo has is a utility to sync with your Palm. I'm addicted to doing GTD on my Palm and wouldn't use anything that doesn't allow that.

David:

I've had good luck using my friend Alex's programs, Tasks [for individuals] and TasksPro [for group use]. { Link } for info.

I know from talking to Alex that he's had several users talk about it as a GTD solution.

Background: I started looking into implementing a GTD system last year after several years of failing at planner systems, and poor attempts at Covey's ideas - I don't think I put as much effort into as it deserved because of my own past failures.

Even after I switched over to GTD, I am realizing that my imminent(?) failure in this system is primarily because of the weekly review - a habit I have not yet developed - but additionally, I have been tempted into "method bounce." I work on the system under text files, then wiki text files, then paper binder, then "hipster PDA," and now a PDA, and I am concerned by more and more people getting away from the philosophy of the system and more concerned with the tools of the system. There will be those people that paper is going to be the best tool for this job. Same with PDAs, laptops, and web-based. For myself, I see a danger in mixing tools, but some might find this more appropriate (web-based with appropriate print/download capabilities?). But if someone says, "I did it [this way], and it was the best thing," people need a clearer understanding as to whether or not their situation is similar enough for the tools to allow success.

37signals, which is actually a (really really good) web design firm, has a product called Basecamp, which looks really really cool. They just released a sort of "preview" of it that anyone can use for free, called "TaDaList" ({ Link } which is a really intuitive web-based list app. All it does is lists, and it doesn't have many features that would be applicable to your methods I don't think, but the interface is wonderfully simplistic and nice looking. Notice how it saves everything without reloading the page.

Their main product is Basecamp ({ Link } and it is very cool as well. Just take a look at the project management features, and I think you'll get lots of ideas.

As always, if you need any opinions about anything web related, you know where to reach me :)

posted this over at the 43FOlders google group and it was suggested I report over here:

In as much as most people wouldn't expect government employees to be breaking new ground in "Getting Things Done" we've ("we" being the IT/eGov Division of the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office) been hacking away at dotproject (www.dotproject.net) for a few months and have turned it into a great, web-based group-enabled implementation of GTD. We've written a few custom modules for it, like a "Next Actions" module that shows us what the next step is for each of our 60 or so projects and who is responsible for that next step. We've also written a module to generate rss feeds of tasks lists, project milestones, etc and ics/ical subscription.

It has its limitations for personal use in that i'm not a big fan of having to fire up a web browser every time i need to capture a task or reminder or note but as a manager I'm learning that as much as i'd like to have "one" system, it's almost impossible to manage myself/my life and my employees with the same tool. So until something better comes along, I'd encourage you to check out dotproject. Our modules (we've also written an LDAP authentication module) will be available on www.gocc.gov as soon as we have a chance to catch our collective breath and release them.

When I purchased it a few months ago, Life Balance from { Link } was considered one of the better methods for GTD-ification. It's a kind of supercharged outliner/to-do list that's calendar aware. I'm still trying to take my first baby steps with GTD (ADD poster boy) but so far the Life Balance program does indeed appear to be a compelling vehicle for implementation.

I work pretty much alone, and I'm a procrastinator.... a deadly combination. I don't really have anyone who holds me accountable for the little things (bookkeeping current? expense account current? are you doing the weekly review?).

This may seem rather simplistic, but it'd be great if there were a cybersystem that would help me hold myself accountable. Sure, I could just make up a checklist and go over it periodically, but remember, I'm a procrastinator (which also means I'm a bit disorganized). What I need is something that comes to me, in a form that I naturally respond to.

Email is critical to my work, so I seldom ignore it. It'd be nice to be able to post a list of accountability questions somewhere, and then have them show up in my email in a form that invites response (professional looking, visually engaging, maybe interactive in some way). Sort of a personalized cyber coach. A larger version might include goals and objectives. Perhaps 'role' coaches. I would think the possibilities are endless, but it would need to be sort of a cafeteria plan, so you could pick and choose the parts you needed.

The key thing really with a wiki is to have something that will be "in front of you" at key moments and that you can review. Recently, I've been using putting my to-do plan in my "tasks" mini-wiki ({ Link } when I review things and plan out the next week, having a periodic list of things under different categories as a reference guide to check (an online tickler file, I suppose). At the end of the process, I've copied the next week's plan into a word-processor to print out on ONE sheet as a physical to-do list. It doesn't matter to me where I cross things off or add notes, because I'll be going back and forth between the two anyway.

Of course, ask me in a few months how well this works ... I've just worked it up!

From the household engineer perspective:

1. Fitday.com - a lovely web-app for assisting with change in diet and exercise behaviours

2. Flylady.net - Not an "app", per se, but an entirely free "mentoring" program for overwhelmed, frazzled, procrastinating, perfectionist people (fpcus on women, but works for anyone)

I found both of these to be very effective.

As a side note, I use the del.icio.us service not only to store my bookmarks, but also for my "shopping" tag - things I found online that I wish to buy for myself or others at some point.

Any help on syncing Notes tasks to Outlook? This is a big problem since my company does not support Outlook. I want to get away from keeping up 2 separate systems.

If your web based solution can act as a sync device, then where do I sign!!!!! Palm can sync Outlook pretty well with an interface program. But not Notes and Outlook??

I use Yahoo's productivity suite because it mimic's outlook (calendar, email, notes, tasks, phone book), synchronized to my palm, and is available everywhere I go thru the Web.

I've thought for quite some time that if Yahoo adopted additional funtionality that took them over the top that they could take on a great deal more market share. It would be really neat to see a Yahoo/David Allen collaboration, even if it were a premium subscription service.

I'm a near-paperless professional-software-developer that intereacts with Work, Personal/Family, Community/Church, the Web, Windows-based media/entertainment/cable-TV. I've wanted one feature that would change my GTD habits when I'm using a web browser to get things done; travel planning, shopping, just browsing, real research, etc.
I would add a 'To Read Later' button to the toolbar on my browser. Then when I get to a page I am interested, but I know it will take more than 2 minutes, it would add that page's Title & link to my GTD system (cloud) in the Reference/To Read. Technically vague, but it moves the bookmark/favorite from 'stuff' to an Action/To Read.

RE experiences with using web-based apps for organizational change, I was heavily involved in leading, developing, implementing and training on several such projects from 1998 to 2004 in a professional company of ~100. I discovered the following:

--Change is painful even when you want it. The only way to ensure it across an organization is to make it mandatory and to have buy-in at the top level. (Doesn't sound like that will be a problem in your organization!)

--The new tool/system/methodology has a small window of opportunity to establish credibility as a tool that 1)works smoothly and 2)meets the needs the former tool/system/methodology meets.

--Left to their own, users will attribute any needs no met by the new gizmo which they think ought to be met by the new gizmo to the new gizmo rather than their own error or misunderstanding. SO don't skimp on training, documentation or post-roll-out support or you will be having that credibility problem quickly.

--Implementing a tool/system/methodology or any standard where none existed before can appear easier than it might be. You might think, "Why won't everyone love the new gizmo they're getting? They didn't have any such gizmo before!" Well, yes they did. Whatever need your new gizmo will meet has been being met somehow. If a standard didn't exist before, all the users had their own gizmo which they had developed over many years and which was customized to their brains and lives. Beware the xenophobes and take care to do excellent needs analysis. This is actually a lot more difficult than improving on an existing standard.

--The web is all about standards. If you have to invent your own wheel, use standard tools to do it. This is the best and really the only way to protect your investment. It will ensure there's a large labor force to draw upon should you need to scale up your team or replace a key member. Using standards-based technologies means you have (often FREE) resources of others' experiences to draw on. If standards change, the best tools for converting to the new standard will be those aimed at the old standard. New complimentary technologies will be built to work with standard technologies. It's just good all around.

Do I hear Open Source on your new tool????? :)

Hi, just popped in here through a random link. Cool site, keep this good work up :-)

Poker

Here a two very nice tools for web-based self-management:
1.) http://www.backpackit.com/ Personal mgmt tool. Basic version is for free. Advanced versions also offer space for pictures & files.

2.) http://www.basecamphq.com/ Online, very easy to use project mgmt tools

All these products are by http://www.37signals.com/

Have fun!
Cheers,
Marc

I'm a software developer too, and I've been searching for something that was portable and easy to use for managing myself with some GTD principles. The best I've found as far as a web, was dotProject. I also liked TikiWiki a lot. The problem I kept running into was that my work's computer is so secure, that many of the javascript and other features are disabled, making some things not work at all in those environments. I ran into the same problem with Basecamp/Backpack/TaDaList. The whole wiki idea sounds neat, but in practice, seems like I'd spend more time configuring/working with it than actually getting things done. I wanted something that would work rather instantly with little learning curve and even less effort. It seems like e-mail is my best bet. It's got a web interface that works wherever I go. As far as a To-Do List. I use ToDoList on my usb flash drive since it doesn't write anything to my registry and was SO easy to learn. For collecting notes, I use text files on the same drive or I send myself an e/mail if that's going to be quicker. If I need it in my palm, I put it into outlook and syncrhonize. Finding a suitable application on the web has been difficult for me, so I keep hoping for a good one. However, if it worked for me while I was at work, I'd probably choose dotProject.

How Good is Dotproject.net for the Graphic Designing Company

I would like to know experieces with management of Web Projects with DotProject.net