Make a list (check it twice)

For anyone making resolutions about being more organized, particularly using the Getting Things Done (GTD) system, I have a couple of web-based list makers to recommend after using them for a few weeks.

Remember the Milk (RtM) is a full-featured list making system. The various views are accessed through one line of hyperlinks at the top right. Overview shows tasks that are due today or in the next few days. The workhorse of RtM is the Tasks view--showing a tab for each list with the currently selected tab's list displayed. I haven't used the Contacts section for keeping track of people. The Settings view lets the user set options--I mostly use the Lists tab in this view because that's where I add a new list that will show up on a tab in the Tasks view.

Each list item in Remember the Milk can have a deadline, can be set to repeat, and can have a time estimate. Most importantly, for the way I use it, the list item can have a note attached. So, for example, I can put "Target" on my "Errands" list and have a note to get hand towels, a toothbrush holder, and soap dispenser at Target (I'm setting up the downstairs bathroom as my place for getting ready to go to work). I make separate lists for each context (Errands, Home, Work, etc) as recommended for GTD--but the lists could just as easily be kept by project.

In their Happy New Year message, RtM promised us new features in the coming weeks.

The other list-making software I'm using is Ta-Da List. This makes very simple lists--items with checkboxes. Lists can be edited or re-ordered. When an item is checked, it goes to the bottom and in smaller print. Click the checkbox again and the item goes back to the top as an unchecked item. This makes Ta-Da List great for checklists that I do frequently (but not quite often enough to remember everything)--my Weekly Review checklist is here. Also, I'm using Ta-Da List for "Movies to see" and "Books/Authors to try."

Both of these are free. Ta-Da List is made by the people who would like to sell you Basecamp or Backpack (either one of which I might buy if it wasn't priced by the month). Remember the Milk, I'm guessing, is looking for venture capital or to be bought out by one of the internet companies with deep pockets.     #

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