need feedback

M

mike r

0
I have been using GTD with my desktop pc for about 1.5 yrs or so. By no means has it been an easy transition, and I still have some ways to go but it's about progress, not perfection in terms of making it stick... I still use a self-designed daily action item paper sheet which is also invaluable and crucial for my functionality as a creative type.

Being in front of an outlook screen and being limited to typing (vs. writing, sketching, mind mapping) can actually get in the way of my brain's "flow" of ideas, solutions, etc.

I also use a digital timer and break 'to do's' down both by micro action items and time. A simple $12 radio shack digital timer (part 63-878) does wonders...

My question:

I need to use netcentrics GTD add on with outlook on a notebook while out on the road on business. What are people doing to synch between between notebook and desktop outlook files for GTD add in so that you have consistency without having to resort to more cumbersome backup and restore methods?

Also, are there ways to do this synching remotely (ie, over the web?)

Warm regards,
Mike
 
Hi Mike
I have my email account on a hosted exchange account, so I have total synchronicity between any of my computers. When I'm away from my own computers but have internet access I also have web access. However, without exchange there is another option. Foldershare (http://www.foldershare.com) allows me to replicate files and directories across the internet onto any computers I control. It also allows me to share any files or folders with third parties. You could use this to share the outlook application data folder across two or more machines to keep your .pst file shyncronised. Interestingly you can also use this to keep your browser favorites and cookies syhchronised too.

Hope this helps

Mark
 
Like Mark, I use a hosted exchange account for email.
It's really handy when traveling.
For off-site storage and exchange of files, I have used www.xdrive.com for years.
I don't know how the two differ, but I'm going to check out foldershare just to see if there are any advantages.
 
I used Xdrive for 6 months, but having paid up front for a full year I cancelled the account and asked for my money back. My issue was that the upload times were simply unacceptable. Last week I signed up for a new trial with them in the hope that things had improved, but after running a backup routine using the mapped drive of just 1.07gb, it took 48 hours to upload. This is simply not acceptable or usefull. With foldershare I can install it on as many computers as I like and then synchronise libraries over IP. It means that when I work at a clients site whilst connected to the internet each time I save a file in "My Documents" that file replicates on my two machines at home. I now have three identical "My Documents" directories on three machines, which barring losing all three machines means I have a pretty effective backup which is working in real time and is fast and reliable. Added to that the ability to share libraries with clients, friends and family and it's a must have for my arsenal as a self employed GTD'er
 
Thanks for your responses. The concern I have with off sight electronic storage is the security of sensitive data, whether in an outlook file or a file associated with another application. Have any of you been able to successfully synch netcentrics gtd add on inclusive outlook data between a desktop and a notebook in real time or as needed?

Mike
 
Mike:
My need are much simpler, so I can't answer your question.
Maybe some other can be more helpful.

This also may explain why I haven't experienced Mark's problems with xdrive, but thanks to his comments I'm checking out foldershare anyhow, just as a precaution.
 
Mike

You're quite right to be concerned over security. The fact is that your files stored in plain text on any one elses machine are outside of your total control, and as such pose a potential risk. I guess with all risk based assessments the issue is a trade between the risk of data compromise versus the risk of data loss. Only you can weigh that one up. One point though, with foldershare your data is not stored on their servers at any time. The service simply provides a data transfer gate under SSL (secure sockets layer) between your machines. This means that your data is encrypted on route. However, because by its nature your files are shareable, then without adequate security you can consider your data at risk, although no more so than any data which is held on any machine attached to the internet. I take a personal interest in security, both physical and electronic so I'm up to speed on cryptographic processes and applications. My sensitive data is stored in encrypted state.

One other suggestion for off site storage with total peace of mind is cryptoheaven . With a cryptoheaven account you download an interface which encrypts your data locally using a 256 bit AES algorithm, transfers and stores it on their remote servers in its encrypted state, and when you want to download the files again downloads it in encrypted state and de-ciphers it locally. This is different from say Xdrive which uses SSL to encrypt the data in transit but stores it in plain text. The disadvantage with cryptoheaven is that you need the software installed on any PC you are using to access your files. If you don't have privileges to install software this won't work, whereas with foldershare and indeed Xdrive when it works you only need internet access to gain access to your files.

Each to their own. If you require data security do not store plain text files anywhere, including your own PC. use either file encryption, container encryption, or drive encryption.

For file encryption I'd recommend PGP
For email encryption I'd also recommend PGP
For folder encryption I'd recommend PGP or Steganos
For entire drive encryption I'd recommend Drivecrypt
For boot authentication (pre windows load) I'd also recommend Drivecrypt
For off site storage I'd recommend cryptoheaven
Finally for secure storage of passwords I'd recommend a password safe. Steganos offer this, but I'd go for Bruce Schneier's free Password Safe , which is free and was written using Bruce's own Blowfish algorithm. A copy can be Password Safe

You can share files with Cryptoheaven , but the sharing party will also need to download and install the (FREE) software and open a (FREE) account to access these files.

Mark
 
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