Leaving Palm for something elegant?

[mcogilvie]

I have decided not to replace my Palm T/X, which has developed severe difficulties (lost databases, infinite soft resets, et cetera) over the last few weeks. My rationale is that the time and effort spent in maintaining a consistent system across 2 computers and 1 palm was requiring too much attention, both technically (syncing it all) and organizationally (the GTD thing). Most local stores have stopped carrying PDA's, and I always pay attention to the realities of the marketplace. I have also rejected the smartphones sold by my current carrier. The best of the lot may be the Palm OS Treo's, but they are aging rapidly, and Palm (the company) may in fact be in the process of flushing itself into history.

Right now I am maintaining my project and next action lists as two computer based documents. I can print them out, or bring them up side by side. This turns out to be an effective way for me to maintain the mental connection between projects and next actions.

But why not have elegance and beauty? I am thinking about an iPhone or maybe one of the new Touch iPods. Leopard (OS X 10.5) comes out soon, and I will probably know more about the real functionality of these devices. I have also been thinking about a Levenger Circa folder, but I am afraid it is another technological trap. In any case, I am looking for relative simple GTD tools that scream simplicity, flexibility, and luxury. Any ideas?

 

[TesTeq]

iPod Touch.

Surprisingly iPod Touch can be a very interesting solution as:

• the Music/Video Player;
• Internet tablet;
• Internet based GTD PDA;

for those outside the USA.

 

[misanthropic777]

Why only those outisde the USA?

If you go web-based instead of local computer you can access your system anywhere that you have the internet available. The question is whether that is sufficiently ubiquitous in your life to be sufficient.

 

[mcogilvie]

If you go web-based instead of local computer you can access your system anywhere that you have the internet available. The question is whether that is sufficiently ubiquitous in your life to be sufficient.

I have found that most of the web-based applications which have purported relevance for GTD are not really very good with respect to functionality, user interface design, and appearance. "Remember the milk" is one of the better ones, but who wants to stare at a cartoon of a cow all the time?

I don't really want someone to build me a "system" anymore- I just want elegant, functional tools.

 

[andyhuey]

I have decided not to replace my Palm T/X...

I'm in the same boat with you on the Palm thing. I have an i705 which is starting to show its age. I still use it for basic calendar and contact stuff, but I don't really use it for GTD. And, like you, I'm not thrilled with the smartphones that I can get from my carrier.

I think the iPod touch might be OK for GTD as long as you're on WiFi, but I'm not sure you'd be able to do much while disconnected. There's some interesting stuff out there, like iPhone GTD and iNozbe that would work online, but apparently not offline. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this!)

 

[jrdouce]

Stand-alone PDA's are becoming obsolete. I would love a single phonePDAMP3EmailUSB Drive device, but Treo is big and old (and only good at PDA and Phone), and I prefer the original graffiti to keypads or graffiti 2. I don't like the Blackberry wheel on older models, or the 8-digit key pad for data entry on the newer ones. I had one at my last job and it was clunky for anything but email.

The New personal electronic devices are geared for entertainment and have a PIM as an afterthought, so they aren't easy to access or update. The iPhone does look awesome, with a full screen keyboard, and a PIM app like a PDA; but AT&T has abysmal coverage in my area, so it wouldn't function as a phone!

The best of the lot may be the Palm OS Treo's, but they are aging rapidly, and Palm (the company) may in fact be in the process of flushing itself into history.

It's sad that such a cutting edge company has stagnated so badly. The Palm and the Treo created the industry, but they have done nothing in years. The iPhone would be the champ if not for Apple's proprietary tendencies and the exclusive service contract.

just a cranky two cents from a frustrated Palm user of 11 years.

 

[Barry]

I agree with all the comments regarding the shortcomings of the electronic organizer options. I finally shelved my 7 year Palm habit and have gone back to working from paper.

This time I am doing a more streamlined paper implementation than what I had long ago with the Franklin Planner. I am not trying to keep my entire life in a notebook. Just action lists, contacts and a current calendar. I am also keeping my source documents online and using printouts. Appointment reminders are sent by Google Calendar to my cell phone. Or if necessary, I will just set the alarm clock in my cell phone as a reminder for my next appointment that has been written on paper but not transferred to Gcal. My Gcal printouts are pre-populated with all of my recurring appointments, holidays and birthdays, etc. making them far more convenient than buying a calendar.

It has been great to step away from the PDA.

 

[misanthropic777]

I have also started printing from online tools so that I have it with me. It's sad, but we appear to be in an interim period where you either have to be connected all the time or the tools available don't work so well. You can now sync gcal to a palm, but SMS alerts work almost as well and don't require the extra app.

There are quite a few apps (toodledo, remember the milk) for list management that you can access via special mobile screen off your phone, but again, that requires internet access via your phone.

but it all feels like a hack most of the time....

 

[jrdouce]

we appear to be in an interim period where you either have to be connected all the time or the tools available don't work so well. ... that requires internet access via your phone.

Very good observation. All this wifi and phone browsing is expensive and access is limited. The competing standards of phone carriers and limited wifi availability doesn't help. I've previously ranted on phones, so all I'll add to that is that the 2" screen on most doesn't work for me.

 

[misanthropic777]

Very good observation. All this wifi and phone browsing is expensive and access is limited. The competing standards of phone carriers and limited wifi availability doesn't help. I've previously ranted on phones, so all I'll add to that is that the 2" screen on most doesn't work for me.

Certainly not for any substantive work. It's fine for checking a list or a quick reminder, but I can't imagine entering new next actions on there - I still keep a notepad handy for that....

 

[Stew]

I have also been thinking about a Levenger Circa folder, but I am afraid it is another technological trap. In any case, I am looking for relative simple GTD tools that scream simplicity, flexibility, and luxury. Any ideas?

I've been using my Circa for almost 2 years now and haven't looked back. It sounds like you're well established in your system, and have customized it according to your needs. You could very easily transfer what you have into a Circa just by printing it out and writing on it as needed. I wouldn't call the Circa a "technological trap", as you've put it. Sure, Levenger has come up with a lot of customization options, but I've found many of them unnecessary. I just use the plastic tab dividers, a stack of paper, and I'm set. The notebooks are what you make of them, and therein lies the beauty of the Circa system. Personally, I just fill mine with basic copier paper as it cuts down on costs, is readily available, and requires no extra printing of forms. Then I just flip open the notebook and start writing, diagramming, or listing. I print out a few weeks of my Outlook calendar for it, and I'll update it while on the go.

I've never been able to fully accept the web-based solutions for GTD. Most of them follow someone else's interpretation of GTD, and since much of my at-work projects track sensitive data, I can't justify giving them to a third party. Paper is flexible, secure, simple, and doesn't require an internet connection or battery power. IMO, you can't go wrong with the Circa.

 

[TesTeq]

Extended functionality, missing digits.

Stand-alone PDA's are becoming obsolete. I would love a single phonePDAMP3EmailUSB Drive device

I would like to add the following extended functionality:

• GPS receiver with world map integration;
• TV/DVR/Audio remote controller;
• TV/radio/satellite receiver;
• shaver;
• portable air-condition device;
• personal teleporter.

I don't like the Blackberry wheel on older models, or the 8-digit key pad for data entry on the newer ones.

What digits are missing? I hope you are not forced to work in octal numeral system.

 

[jrdouce]

What keys are missing? I'm referring to the Blackberry Pearl, it has a regular phone dialer pad - not a full BBerry keypad. It's much more compact, but in my opinion you get an easier phone, but loose the better email interface.

I like the universal remote option, might as well add a voice memo recorder. That was the best feature of my old Palm.