Folke
Registered
Just for argument's sake - literally ;-) - I'd like to bring to your attention some very common features in typical "GTD" software packages to see what your opinions are about how well those fit in with the GTD methodology. In particular, I am curious why I see so few (if any) methodological objections to these particular computer features (even support sometimes), while there can be quite strong opposition to other types of computer enhancements.
Here we go:
Inbox
We all know that in GTD the inbox has many "compartments" - your intray, your email inbox, post-it stickers, anything. In GTD, as you process this collective inbox you list (put) stuff where appropriate (Trash, Next actions etc). Has anyone ever seen a recommendation from DA that you should first list all the inbox items on a separate sheet titled Inbox before you actually process them? Didn't think so. Essentially, this is what the apps generally do, though.
Attachments and Evernote/Dropbox links etc
We are all aware of Reference and Support Material. But has anyone ever seen a recommendation from DA that you should list carefully for each task on your Next actions list the exact location of the corresponding support material? Or that you should keep the support material directly attached (stapled?) to your Next list?
Scheduled, Deadline Alerts and Calendar Integration - but no Tickler File
Most of us (hopefully) understand the reason why scheduling is generally discouraged in GTD. In those few types of cases where we do schedule things we do so, sparingly, on the calendar to be able to see the reserved time. So how come most GTD task apps have a "Scheduled" feature available for all tasks? And no Tickler feature? And how come they show these dates on the calendar as if they were calendar actions? And how come they encourage users to rely on Deadline Alerts and Scheduled Alerts (rather than do their reviews properly)? Isn't this actually much worse than just not-exactly-by-the-book? Isn't this in direct contradiction to, and fundamentally undermining, the core teaching about dynamic task selection based on context etc.? I think so.
Here we go:
Inbox
We all know that in GTD the inbox has many "compartments" - your intray, your email inbox, post-it stickers, anything. In GTD, as you process this collective inbox you list (put) stuff where appropriate (Trash, Next actions etc). Has anyone ever seen a recommendation from DA that you should first list all the inbox items on a separate sheet titled Inbox before you actually process them? Didn't think so. Essentially, this is what the apps generally do, though.
Attachments and Evernote/Dropbox links etc
We are all aware of Reference and Support Material. But has anyone ever seen a recommendation from DA that you should list carefully for each task on your Next actions list the exact location of the corresponding support material? Or that you should keep the support material directly attached (stapled?) to your Next list?
Scheduled, Deadline Alerts and Calendar Integration - but no Tickler File
Most of us (hopefully) understand the reason why scheduling is generally discouraged in GTD. In those few types of cases where we do schedule things we do so, sparingly, on the calendar to be able to see the reserved time. So how come most GTD task apps have a "Scheduled" feature available for all tasks? And no Tickler feature? And how come they show these dates on the calendar as if they were calendar actions? And how come they encourage users to rely on Deadline Alerts and Scheduled Alerts (rather than do their reviews properly)? Isn't this actually much worse than just not-exactly-by-the-book? Isn't this in direct contradiction to, and fundamentally undermining, the core teaching about dynamic task selection based on context etc.? I think so.