Informant and Apple Reminders

[TooDue4U]

I would love to get feedback from this forum on 2 questions I have. You can skip the background blah-blah if you wish and go to the meat at the bottom of this post.

I switched from Franklin Planners to GTD about the turn of the millennium. This is about the time I got my hp iPAQ PDA and I'm pretty sure I was running Pocket Informant on it. My GTD implementation and skills started at medium and went downhill. For the past 13 years of retirement, I've been using Informant as a task manager using the Sisyphus system, which is very unsatisfying. I found this site, downloaded the latest version of David Allen's book, and trolled the forum for the latest ideas.

I'm still using Informant. I had some issues when I switched to Apple silicon based Macs (M1, M2, & M4) and found that the support which had always been superb and near instantaneous had degraded. I can see from the app store that user base is micro sized and shrinking. I decided to shed my longest standing app subscription.

I found the thread from @tlmr about using Apple Reminders, and was intrigued. I decided to implement this approach with a couple of changes and set off to do the huge conversion project. Along the way, I became re-aware of just how tightly GTD was implmented/integrated in Informant. It really is super powerful, well targeted, and looks very low friction at least from an implementation (or reimplementation) perspective. Meanwhile, I found that my Mx problem could be fixed by a configuration tweak. So now I am questioning my full leap into a new system that has not been wrung out and is not purpose-built for GTD, in spite of the huge advantage of the deep integration with the Apple ecosystem.

So, finally, my question: WHY NOT INFORMANT?

When I search this forum, I see massive chatter (8 pages) from 2008-2012 and nothing (1 page) from 2013-2025. I get it, maybe there are better substitutes although I don't see a purpose-built alternative in most posts here. But when I troll the ancient chatter, I don't see any downsides to Informant.

WHAT AM I MISSING?

 

[mcogilvie]

I suspect you’re not missing anything. I gave Pocket Infornant (now just informant) a try years ago, and it didn’t work well for me. I vaguely recall that v5 was very bad, and it fell off my radar. I am surprised that you describe Informant as tightly integrated for GTD, as I never experienced it that way. I’m completely happy with Things, and if you’re happy with Informant, why not use it? I think Apple Reminders is not particularly well-designed, but other people are happy with it. I do believe that more and more “convenience features” based on AI will appear in apps that are kept current, which is something to consider.

 

[fooddude]

I just use Apple notes and calendar. I realized I could use it instead of Evernote. I moved when they decided to go subscription only.

 

[samuelethan]

I would love to get feedback from this forum on 2 questions I have. You can skip the background blah-blah if you wish and go to the meat at the bottom of this post.

I switched from Franklin Planners to GTD about the turn of the millennium. This is about the time I got my hp iPAQ PDA and I'm pretty sure I was running Pocket Informant on it. My GTD implementation and skills started at medium and went downhill. For the past 13 years of retirement, I've been using Informant as a task manager using the Sisyphus system, which is very unsatisfying. I found this site, downloaded the latest version of David Allen's book, and trolled the forum for the latest ideas.

I'm still using Informant. I had some issues when I switched to Apple silicon based Macs (M1, M2, & M4) and found that the support which had always been superb and near instantaneous had degraded. I can see from the app store that user base is micro sized and shrinking. I decided to shed my longest standing app subscription.

I found the thread from @tlmr about using Apple Reminders, and was intrigued. I decided to implement this approach with a couple of changes and set off to do the huge conversion project. Along the way, I became re-aware of just how tightly GTD was implmented/integrated in Informant. It really is super powerful, well targeted, and looks very low friction at least from an implementation (or reimplementation) perspective. Meanwhile, I found that my Mx problem could be fixed by a configuration tweak. So now I am questioning my full leap into a new system that has not been wrung out and is not purpose-built for GTD, in spite of the huge advantage of the deep integration with the Apple ecosystem.

So, finally, my question: WHY NOT INFORMANT?

When I search this forum, I see massive chatter (8 pages) from 2008-2012 and nothing (1 page) from 2013-2025. I get it, maybe there are better substitutes although I don't see a purpose-built alternative in most posts here. But when I troll the ancient chatter, I don't see any downsides to Informant.

I’m exploring real estate options along the Athenian coast and came across some interesting properties. I’m particularly focused on apartments for sale in Piraeus that offer easy access to the port and local amenities. Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known neighborhoods worth considering? I’d appreciate tips on trustworthy agents or online platforms that list these properties. Hearing about firsthand experiences with buying in Piraeus would be invaluable. Any insights on investment potential or lifestyle benefits would also be great!

You’re not missing much. Informant remains a very capable, purpose-built GTD tool with deep integration and low friction. The apparent lack of recent discussion is mostly due to a shrinking user base, slower support on Apple silicon, and the rise of more mainstream apps like Apple Reminders or Things. Functionally, Informant still does what it’s designed to do, and there aren’t inherent downsides beyond long-term sustainability and smaller community support. If the workflow works for you and you can tolerate the slower support, there’s no strong reason to leave it.

 

[gtd solo-studente]

You’re not missing much. Informant remains a very capable, purpose-built GTD tool with deep integration and low friction. The apparent lack of recent discussion is mostly due to a shrinking user base, slower support on Apple silicon, and the rise of more mainstream apps like Apple Reminders or Things. Functionally, Informant still does what it’s designed to do, and there aren’t inherent downsides beyond long-term sustainability and smaller community support. If the workflow works for you and you can tolerate the slower support, there’s no strong reason to leave it.

Again ?

With all due respect, appreciate the reinforcement to build up one's own GTD 'muscles' than to be technologically dazzled by 'Innovation', 'New-&-Improved', etc. ?

On this end, what David Allen elegantly expressed suits better:

"gird your loins"
"only way out is through"

Meanwhile, back to facing the [self-composed] music; which is actually a great life opportunity to put things in order even when it might seem otherwise ?

At you see GTD fit. . . .

 

[Bill Myers]

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about who's using what or which app is getting more chatter. The only important thing is whether you like the tool you're using. Everyone's experience with GTD is unique to them. If you've found a tool that supports your practice, that's all that matters. Use Informant, use another digital tool, use a paper planner, hell, use individual sheets of (clean) toilet paper if you want. If your tool contributes to you having a positive sense of relaxed control, it's a good tool for you.

(I haven't said anything toilet-related for quite some time. It feels good to get back in the game. I need to bring up the GTD Jell-O Wrestling Pit more often as well, I think.)

 

[gtd solo-studente]

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about who's using what or which app is getting more chatter. The only important thing is whether you like the tool you're using. Everyone's experience with GTD is unique to them. If you've found a tool that supports your practice, that's all that matters. Use Informant, use another digital tool, use a paper planner, hell, use individual sheets of (clean) toilet paper if you want. If your tool contributes to you having a positive sense of relaxed control, it's a good tool for you.

(I haven't said anything toilet-related for quite some time. It feels good to get back in the game. I need to bring up the GTD Jell-O Wrestling Pit more often as well, I think.)

Indeed, seemingly the one one initial constant is that all the above are extrinsic tools relative to one's intrinsic memory ?