A
Anonymous
Guest
Has anyone here purchased the MS Outlook add-in for sale on David Allen's website? What does it do and -- overall-- do you think it is worth the money? Thanks!
Kevin
Kevin
Outlook Add-In
Kevin, I just did a Search on the word: Outlook AND Add-In. I think the thread Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In v PDF (Workflow Proc.) will give you enough information for a good start. The second post in the thread by mochant also suggests you do a search on his blog (an excellent resource, by the way).
Carolyn
Kevin, I just did a Search on the word: Outlook AND Add-In. I think the thread Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In v PDF (Workflow Proc.) will give you enough information for a good start. The second post in the thread by mochant also suggests you do a search on his blog (an excellent resource, by the way).
Carolyn
C
CosmoGTD
Guest
If you use it.
C
CosmoGTD
Guest
It wasn't a flip answer.
If you get it, but never use it, then its a waste.
If you get it, and actually USE it as designed, then its worth it.
Coz
If you get it, but never use it, then its a waste.
If you get it, and actually USE it as designed, then its worth it.
Coz
ceehjay said:
I bought the add-in about two years ago, just after I discovered the GTD methodology. Since I use outlook, I thought it would be the fastest way to get up and running. I still think so.
I use the add-in every day. I think it is worth the money.
The add-in lets me focus on the work I do, not on the system. Since I did not devolop it myself, I don't spend hours and hours tweaking it (which I probably would do if it were my own, homemade system).
It has limitations, but I have found that practicing GTD within the limits of the add-in is an efficient practice. The add-in automates a few basic tasks like delegating a next action to someone else and creating the @waiting_for next action with a consistent format of delagatee and original date. The add-in also sets up task views to let one see actions filtered by project or by context. I use the 'by context' view frequently to see what I could work on next. I use the 'by project' view weekly as part of my weekly review.
It has tools to help administer a project list and an someday/maybe list.
I think it also gives one the ability to learn GTD without also having to learn to set-up and maintain a system.
There are keyboard shortcuts that let me capture an unimportant task or errand quickly and easily, freeing up my mind for the more important things. An example of an unimportant task would be 'buy tarp to cover wood pile.' The same shortcuts let me capture important tasks, too
I can sync to my PDA so I can review my next actions and checklists while away from my desktop PC.
On the negative side,
1) There is always room for improvement - new features, ways I wish the add-in functioned.
2) The web site forum is pretty lame. The developer of the add-in does not typically participate, so there are many unanswered posts.
3) Some users have had problems during installation.
4) You really do have to conform to how the add-in works. It won't bend to fit your will.
5) There is no version for a PDA. Nor is there any easy way to keep two computers running the add-in in sync.
6) Since the add-in takes care of many things 'behind the scenes' I had trouble trusting it in the beginning. I can see that if I had manually copied an email to the @action folder, I would trust that it was there. With the add-in, I don't participate in every step so I must trust that the steps were done properly. Of course, the automation is the main reason to use the add-in so I wouldn't want it any other way.
Ken
I use the add-in every day. I think it is worth the money.
The add-in lets me focus on the work I do, not on the system. Since I did not devolop it myself, I don't spend hours and hours tweaking it (which I probably would do if it were my own, homemade system).
It has limitations, but I have found that practicing GTD within the limits of the add-in is an efficient practice. The add-in automates a few basic tasks like delegating a next action to someone else and creating the @waiting_for next action with a consistent format of delagatee and original date. The add-in also sets up task views to let one see actions filtered by project or by context. I use the 'by context' view frequently to see what I could work on next. I use the 'by project' view weekly as part of my weekly review.
It has tools to help administer a project list and an someday/maybe list.
I think it also gives one the ability to learn GTD without also having to learn to set-up and maintain a system.
There are keyboard shortcuts that let me capture an unimportant task or errand quickly and easily, freeing up my mind for the more important things. An example of an unimportant task would be 'buy tarp to cover wood pile.' The same shortcuts let me capture important tasks, too
I can sync to my PDA so I can review my next actions and checklists while away from my desktop PC.
On the negative side,
1) There is always room for improvement - new features, ways I wish the add-in functioned.
2) The web site forum is pretty lame. The developer of the add-in does not typically participate, so there are many unanswered posts.
3) Some users have had problems during installation.
4) You really do have to conform to how the add-in works. It won't bend to fit your will.
5) There is no version for a PDA. Nor is there any easy way to keep two computers running the add-in in sync.
6) Since the add-in takes care of many things 'behind the scenes' I had trouble trusting it in the beginning. I can see that if I had manually copied an email to the @action folder, I would trust that it was there. With the add-in, I don't participate in every step so I must trust that the steps were done properly. Of course, the automation is the main reason to use the add-in so I wouldn't want it any other way.
Ken
C
CosmoGTD
Guest
One can also just download the free trial, and then see if they like it.
http://www.davidco.com/productDetail.php?id=63&IDoption=20
Coz
http://www.davidco.com/productDetail.php?id=63&IDoption=20
Coz
E
enriquer
Guest
It's kind of pricey
IMHO it's kind of pricey at $69 for a product which has had limited growth (much like Actioneer) beyond a bug fix here and there.
IMHO it's kind of pricey at $69 for a product which has had limited growth (much like Actioneer) beyond a bug fix here and there.
A
Anonymous
Guest
GTD plug-in
I have used it for over a year and am VERY happy with the process.
I sync with my ipaq seemlessly and manage my workflow thorughout the day with it. If you do a lot of work with email it helps you really keep your inbox clean and everything in your tasks folder.
The feature which I like the most is that you can open the original email associated with the task, no more searching/browsing.
It has certainly paid off the investment.
Xoff
I have used it for over a year and am VERY happy with the process.
I sync with my ipaq seemlessly and manage my workflow thorughout the day with it. If you do a lot of work with email it helps you really keep your inbox clean and everything in your tasks folder.
The feature which I like the most is that you can open the original email associated with the task, no more searching/browsing.
It has certainly paid off the investment.
Xoff
Re: It's kind of pricey
I was able to immediately cut my inbox processing time in half. As I get more familiar with the add-in I'm cutting back the time I spend processing e-mail further. Before I was spending 2-4 hours a day just processing e-mail. If I failed to get it processed, I'd miss an assignment or let a project fall through the cracks. I'm now able to process e-mail in two 20 to 40 minute sessions (with occasional abberations) Not bad for $69 IMHO.
The add-in does have its limitations, and there are some key features I wish it would include, however, I definitely think the add-in is worth checking out.
jpm
enriquer said:
I was able to immediately cut my inbox processing time in half. As I get more familiar with the add-in I'm cutting back the time I spend processing e-mail further. Before I was spending 2-4 hours a day just processing e-mail. If I failed to get it processed, I'd miss an assignment or let a project fall through the cracks. I'm now able to process e-mail in two 20 to 40 minute sessions (with occasional abberations) Not bad for $69 IMHO.
The add-in does have its limitations, and there are some key features I wish it would include, however, I definitely think the add-in is worth checking out.
jpm
A
Anonymous
Guest
How the add-in helps with the weekly review
As mentioned above, the add-in does help a lot with the process of coverting emails into action items. More important to me is the way that it helps with the weekly review. With the add-in, the review of my project list is automated. I just switch to the task view, and use of of the four GTD views created by the add-in. In that view, I can highlight each active project and ensure that there is at least on NA for each project.
Steve
As mentioned above, the add-in does help a lot with the process of coverting emails into action items. More important to me is the way that it helps with the weekly review. With the add-in, the review of my project list is automated. I just switch to the task view, and use of of the four GTD views created by the add-in. In that view, I can highlight each active project and ensure that there is at least on NA for each project.
Steve
M
mochant
Guest
NetCentrics support is working hard
Michael Hyatt shares a most excellent experience in technical support from the NetCentrics team in a new blog post that is well worth reading if you're considering this add-in:
http://michaelhyatt.blogs.com/workingsmart/2004/12/netcentrics_a_g.html
Admittedly, the support presence on their forum has been pretty quiet but in my personal experience, no direct request to their support team I have made has been treated differently than Michael's. Always responsive and, given the vagaries of what can possibly go wrong in Outlook, always very accurate.
Michael Hyatt shares a most excellent experience in technical support from the NetCentrics team in a new blog post that is well worth reading if you're considering this add-in:
http://michaelhyatt.blogs.com/workingsmart/2004/12/netcentrics_a_g.html
Admittedly, the support presence on their forum has been pretty quiet but in my personal experience, no direct request to their support team I have made has been treated differently than Michael's. Always responsive and, given the vagaries of what can possibly go wrong in Outlook, always very accurate.
O
olemann
Guest
I use Outlook as my key tool for implementing GTD and the Add-In is invaluable in keeping my inbox empty and my tasks organised under categories (especially those arising from emails recieved).
I'm currently experimenting with syncronising my Outlook tasks with MindManager/ResultsManager to get a better visual overview of my tasks. Demanding, but rewarding when it works: see Marc's updated review of ResultsManager at http://office.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000697025444/ .
Ole
I'm currently experimenting with syncronising my Outlook tasks with MindManager/ResultsManager to get a better visual overview of my tasks. Demanding, but rewarding when it works: see Marc's updated review of ResultsManager at http://office.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000697025444/ .
Ole
P
patrea
Guest
Ole - I'd be interedted how you integrate Outlook and MindManager and the functionality - as I'm new to GTD , but using MindManager for a year.
Patrea
Patrea
V
vmmattil
Guest
FWIW, I tested the tool for the allowed 30 days. I found it quite useful, I am a supported of the GTD methodology. But the price is _way_ too much. I would be ready to pay a third of the $69 price.
Is there any way to get around the 30 day limit.
Is there any way to get around the 30 day limit
.Demo link
Anyone who is interested in seeing what sort of additional functionality you get from the add-in may want to check out the following link:
http://gtdsupport.netcentrics.com/tour/home.asp#
Anyone who is interested in seeing what sort of additional functionality you get from the add-in may want to check out the following link:
http://gtdsupport.netcentrics.com/tour/home.asp#
N
nickgust
Guest
As a new user of the GTD system I went and got the add-in to help me do it right. I have no idea if it does everything it ever could, but I do know that it allowed me to start using the GTD system right away without setting up outlook manually. As someone else said, if you value your time and the product wil not save you at least the cost of the product over some period of time, there is something wrong in your formula. If you can save 15 minutes a day and your time is worth 60hr (heck eve 10/hour), it will not take you any time flat to make back the investment.
Bottom line. If you use outlook and you don't want to make the changes yourself, this might be for you.
Nick
Bottom line. If you use outlook and you don't want to make the changes yourself, this might be for you.
Nick