New to GTD/Entourage Question...

[Jerry in OC MD]

Hi All--

Perhaps a stupid question, but thanks for any help.

I'm fairly new to GTD, and would like to set up Entourage 2004 to
implement the system. Are the Contexts such as @Work, @Home, @Computer,
etc., reserved only for "next actons", or can they be applied to
calendar events and contacts.

For instance, if I create a new event (staff meeting), would I assign
it to the "@Work" category, or should I create a "Work" category sans
the @ symbol?

How have other set up entourage to fully implement GTD? Are there any
Entourage/GTD specific resources on the web?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MsftMan]

I am not familiar with Entourage at all, but just remember that the only reason the "@" symbol is used at all is to drive these topics/headings to the top of the visual list. That is it's sole purpose and reason for being in Outlook. But the same would be true for any other type of application, Entourage, Lotus Notes, etc.

To get more help on this, since it is Mac centric, go to this page and web site:
http://www.43folders.com/2005/02/using_categorie.html
This will be your best soulution and bible for GTD and Mac questions.

Hope this helps,

 

[mcogilvie]

Categories in Entourage

Hi All--
I'm fairly new to GTD, and would like to set up Entourage 2004 to
implement the system. Are the Contexts such as @Work, @Home, @Computer,
etc., reserved only for "next actons", or can they be applied to
calendar events and contacts.

A very reasonable question. I am using a Powerbook laptop and Windows XP Desktops, synching to Entourage and Palm Desktop. Entourage and its distant cousin Outlook have a single category list for all components. Since I was previously using just PC's, I have @Work as a todo category, and Work as a contact category. There really is no reason to have one category list for all the components- it's a dumb idea, but that's what we have. If I were starting fresh (are you starting fresh?), I would try to reduce this overlap of categories. Which way you go, @Work or Work, depends on how you like to see your categories laid out. If you use a lot of categories (in memos/notes, for example), I suggest going with @Work to put the most used categories at the top. If you only use 15-20 categories total, straight alphabetical with no prefixes might be ok. BTW, I use a handful of the todo categories on my appointments as well: @Work, @Home, @Out, plus a category called Info for calendar information. At some point, I will try to rationalize the categories, but maybe not until I replace the desktop PC's with macs!