I suppose you could very easily have the best of both worlds by running Virtual PC for Mac ( http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc ) on an Apple Mac Machine.

What sort of things do you have in mind when you allude to "some of the real GTD methods I know could be digitalized from the ground up".

David here - Pascal, what I mean by "from the ground up" is actually designing real decision support and commitment inventory management the way I like to think, so that the software helps me to make the right kinds of decisions about my stuff the way that's most effective to think about it. The computer for the most part is still purely reactive to my own process, not proactively supportive of it.

Sounds like you are talking about application software, not OS. Hmm. GTD OS?

If you make the jump to Mac, and I HIGHLY recommend you do...
You have to check out KGTD. I am using it to learn (more) Japanese characters, and vocabulary. The daily review section allows me to paste in Japanese characters, and new vocabulary I want to learn. KGTD is free right now, but Omni-outliner is worth the money. Mind like water? Mac is like computing on water.

I'm experimenting with the idea of moving my GTD system from Time/Design over to my iMac + Palm (T3). I've got the functionality setup, now it's just my own comfort level with action lists in analog mode (paper) or digital (plastic).

My tool set is iCal, Address Book, Missing Sync, Missing Sync Memos, Notepad (Palm). The To Do list in iCal is a workable GTD solution, but could be a lot better.

I like how my lists can be accessed/reviewed via Spotlight by typing in a key word or phrase. It's one example of the OS helping with GTD - e.g. type "Buddy Guy" in Spotlight and I can see my songs from iTunes as well as my Missing Sync Memo reference (Might Buy - Buddy Guy's Bring 'Em In CD).

I'd love to see Apple build "What Is It?" at the OS level. I want to right click (Ctrl + click in OS X) and have a menu of GTD-related options where the system would walk me through the GTD flowchart and then take care of the organizing phase for me. I could highlight a word, a sentence, a URL, a file, etc. and make the necessary front-end decisions, but then not have to worry about opening iCal, then creating a To Do, then typing it in, then choosing a category, etc.

Pipedream, I know.

Mark

Mark,

Seriously, check out KGTD.
The latest version synchs with iCal, (although I've not yet figured out how to do it yet). You'll need Omni outliner pro though...

This is a start toward the sort of thing your talking about. You might talk to the creator about an applescript that might be able to complete part of your pipedream?

If your were to run an automator script rather than right click it
seems totally do-able to me.

David et. al--I second the comments made about KGTD. As a Mac user it's the closest thing to the GTD Holy Grail that I've found. And the way Ethan (the incredibly diligent and gifted mind behind KGTD) is continually upgrading and improving, I've no doubt that more and more Mac/GTD devotees will adopt this fantastic program. It's simple, customizable, and elegant. And OmniOutliner Pro is no stumbling block--it's a fantastic brainstorming and outlining tool in it's own right--in fact, if Ethan continues with his course of upgrades and improvements, I wouldn't be surprised if OmniGroup or another company makes him a lucrative offer! And to ice the cake, Ethan has even scripted KTGD functionality with Quicksilver--resulting in quick consolidation of ideas as they come to mind and a major boost in productivity.

All of this to say, do consider reviewing KGTD. More than any other GTD software "fix" that I've tried (on Mac or PC), this sweet program is definitely headed the right direction.

Great stuff David. Is it to say that a Getting Things Done software or an online service "à la Backpack" in the making?
That would be hot news and a great potential field of expansion for your firm, but also a huge opportunity to maximize on their potential for all GTD-ers.

Or follow these simple techniques:

http://brilliantdays.com/archives/2005/05/getting_things.php

You'll be organizing your GTD on the Mac in minutes.

David has been linking to it before:

http://www.davidco.com/blogs/david/archives/2005/05/macs_and_gtd.html

Surely you're familiar with Merlin Mann's many excellent musings on GTD via Mac, with a focus on hacks and mini-applications? I consistently find his site, 43 Folders to be the highlight of my day, and an inspiration to recommit to getting things done.

I am still at the foot of the learning curve for GTD, and am doing it with Macs. Per the recommendations at 43 Folders I am working with Omni Outliner and KGTD, and that will work. However, Robert Peake's mention of development of GTD within Entourage would be quite useful as well.

Note that Microsoft Entourage has more than a few benefits: it integrates very well with Microsoft Exchange calendaring, and it is very accessible by AppleScript. As is Omni Outliner, btw.

I could see leveraging AppleScript as the bridge between Entourage and OmniOutliner with KGTD to provide a well integrated and very useful GTD environment. Use AppleScript to further link it with Devon Think and Devon Note (which James Fallows also recommends) and this could be even more fantastic.

Matt Neuberg PhD is a world class expert advice on Applescript as well as Macs and he's at the opposite end of the Ojai Valley. He's just finished the second edition of his Applescript book so he has some time to consult. (He also knows the Omni and Devon application suites. I use Devon to store all kinds of bits of info.)