GTD on Windows Mobile: Jeff Kirvin Shows Us One Novel Method
April 22nd, 2008 Oliver StarrCategories | Gear | Getting Things Done | Implementation
Even when I was just overhearing Marc’s conversations with folks about GTD I was aware that implementing GTD on Windows Mobile was something of a challenge. The litany of complaints is long and for the most part expected. GTD Applications on Windows Mobile are too “bulky”, it takes longer then pen and paper, it doesn’t sync with the other tools people use, or it doesn’t sync well enough. There’s too much enforced structure or not enough, it isn’t customizable enough or there are too many options making it cumbersome…and that’s just scratching the surface.
Well, Jeff Kirvin of “The Journey of a Reluctant Writer” has sorted out what seems to me to be one of the sanest, simplest and most functional means of using a Windows Mobile device for your portable GTD application. His article is a must read for anyone struggling with this problem as well as for those of us that simply want to see the creative approaches others are taking to deploy GTD systems in their own personal work and life environments. Check it out…
I recommend SPB Diary:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/diary/screenshots.html?en
Its perfect for exchange as it works on top of the native system but creates a much faster dashboard to start from/work in.
The only thing missing is the possibility to categorize by “Assigned to” first and then by “Category” if you delegate task to others.
I’m also using RealVGA to get 3 times more screenspace on my HTC X7500.
I second the recommendation for SPB Diary (http://spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/diary/?en). Fantastic application that enables efficient use of GTD methods on Windows Mobile devices syncing with Outlook. Lots of intuitive options for organizing tasks by category, category & date, etc. Once I started using SPB Diary, I no longer needed to use the built in Task interfaces. I set one of the buttons on my TMobile MDA to easily default to the Today Screen with my Calendar the first module that is open, followed by tasks. It’s the best third party application I’ve seen for Windows based mobile phones.
“My Life Organized” for me. (Mylifeorganized.net). I don’t find it hard to use on Windows Mobile, and it mirrors the Desktop client. Nice to be able to do some in depth planning with my PPC if I want to do the review out and about somewhere. I’m not on Exchange so don’t have to worry about that.
Apparently a new application is coming that will help us use GTD on Windows Mobile - see http://www.attentionaut.com. Anyone heard of this?
I second the MLO recommendation, I’ve been using it for nearly three years, since it was first relaesed. The developer is very receptive to user suggestions, it has an active user group, and it’s been built from the ground up to be a GTD app. Nothing better, it doesn’t run slow or hog resource! It syncs well with the Desktop version, and from there to Outlook - but it will lose quite a bit of the formatting when synced to Outlook, so it’s best to only sync the “final list” to Outlook… I personally don’t bother w/syncing to Outlook, I like to work with my GTD list within MLO.
MyLifeOrganized.net