Do I want too much??

[lazarus]

I use a Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and I want a GTD app I can use on all of them without necessarily being online. Right now I use Things, and like it, but the syncing does not work well, and I want my GTD app to sync automatically to the cloud.

It seems like my main option is:
Omnifocus + Mobileme, which will cost me $140 for the whole OmniFocus suite plus $99/ year for Mobileme.

This seems like a huge outlay of money, and I hate the idea of having to pay for Mobileme for the rest of my life in order to keep everything working.

I'm seeing other apps and services out there like ToDo online, and various other apps that can be synced using Toodledoo, but nothing that works as seamlessly on- and offline as well as the OmniFocus + Mobileme setup is purported to.

So the question is: does anyone use a setup that does what I'm describing but at less cost?
AND: does anyone use this setup and feel that it's worth it? And does it work well?

TIA...

[Oogiem]

So the question is: does anyone use a setup that does what I'm describing but at less cost?

I use just the Omnifocus part and sync via Bonjour on my own internal WiFi net so no mobile me cost at all. But then I do not like cloud apps and don't want my personal data on the Apple servers. The only other option would be to look into Omnifocus' free sync server. I've never used it but it's supposed to be like MobileMe and in the cloud but in the OF cloud not Apple. No idea how it works, I won't use it but might be an option.

[lazarus]

Thanks so much for your response. Are you impressed with OmniFocus's functions? I am basically happy with Things and am not sure I should make a switch if I'm going to wind up manually syncing anyway.

Thanks again--

[Oogiem]

Are you impressed with OmniFocus's functions?....

not sure I should make a switch if I'm going to wind up manually syncing anyway.

Absolutely love how Omnifocus makes it easy to track projects, actions and especially review.

You don't manually sync, it syncs automatically any time you are within range of your home wifi with Omnifocus up on both the handheld (iPhone or iPod Touch, I use an iPod) and the Mac. You can choose to sync manually but I rarely do.

[PeterW]

There is a cloud-based GTD solution named Nirvana that is currently in beta (and therefore free to use). They are about to release an upgraded version that has offline capability. It's rumoured to be available within days so perhaps this might suit.

[PeterW]

It seems like my main option is:
Omnifocus + Mobileme, which will cost me $140 for the whole OmniFocus suite plus $99/ year for Mobileme.

This seems like a huge outlay of money, and I hate the idea of having to pay for Mobileme for the rest of my life in order to keep everything working.

I forgot to add that if you do go with MobileMe, it's worth taking a look on eBay rather than purchasing direct online from Apple. There are a number of sellers on eBay who have substantially discounted prices. I've done the last two renewals this was and saved a lot. The sellers typically just send you the serial/activation number via email the same day.

[lazarus]

Thanks so much, these are great tips. I didn't know Mobileme could be had on eBay, and that makes a huge difference.

[chipjoyce]

Instead of MobileMe, research Swiss Disk. It's a free way to synch Omnifocus among multiple devices (e.g. Mac, iPhone, iPad). I have used it for a year and it's great.

[Kourosh]

If you have server space somewhere on your own whether you rent or own, you could also use their WebDAV solution. The Swiss Disk method, I believe works along these lines.

[LordCope]

I use a Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and I want a GTD app I can use on all of them without necessarily being online. Right now I use Things, and like it, but the syncing does not work well, and I want my GTD app to sync automatically to the cloud.

What is it about the sync that isn't working well? I had issues trying to sync iphone, ipad and *two* macbooks, but now I've dropped down to only one macbook, it's fine. I can even sync when not in a wireless area by creating an ad hoc network. I do this on the train.

Why do you want your GTD app to sync to the cloud? What problem are you trying to solve? If you're worried about backups of your Things database, then you're worried about backups anyway, and need to solve that problem. I can't see of any other reason to want to sync with the cloud. FWIW I use Dropbox as a second line of defense for my stuff, as well as Timemachine backups.

S.