I don’t mean to confuse any of you with the title. More than likely only some of the Mac users understood my question right away. I’m wanting opinions and thoughts on the task management software – Things. I remember hearing many say good things about it in the past, but I wanted some details. Anyone using it now who swears by it? Is it worth the money? Why is it better than Remember the Milk or other similar systems.
I just finished a good book on productivity and I want to take my to-do list to the next level and it looks like Things could help me do what I need it to do (with tags and such).
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Things is a really good system. I like to use RemeberTheMilk.com. It’s in the cloud (meaning I don’t need to plug in any of my devices), mobile, and free (which is my favorite part about it. It’ll do everything Things will. I did a post detailing all of RTMs key features: http://jeffmcclung.com/2010/10/15/free-tool-to-help-you-get-things-done/
I looked into both OmniFocus and Things actually just two weeks ago. I went with OmniFocus because if you read or have ever used the “Getting Things Done” system OmniFocus is built to work right along side of that system. You don’t have to use the GTD system to use OmniFocus, but it’s designed for that system. That’s part of the reason I went with it. Also, it syncs with iCal and your iPhone. Finally, if you track the program updates and development for Things vs. OmniFocus the OmniGroup who produces OmniFocus is way ahead of the game. Things hasn’t had any significant update for quite some time now.
Either way, you might try both. They both have trial periods. The learning curve on OmniFocus was a bit steep, but not bad. I watched some Lynda.com tutorials on the program and that helped me get in and using it right away. OmniFocus doesn’t have tags like Things, instead it breaks down your to-do items into “Single Action Items” and “Projects.” A project that is anything that is two or more single actions. Then within those you have contexts (environments) in which you perform those actions.
So say you’re on the computer and you’re going to send an email. You could click your “email” context and then remember all of the emails you need to send and go ahead and get that done. Or if you’re running errands rather than buying some things while forgetting others and having to do two errands you click your “errands” context and it shows you all you need to pick up while your out and about.
Anyway, I’ve liked OmniFocus up to this point. I’m kinda scatterbrained so a piece of software that lets me record instantly all the thoughts of “I need to remember X” and “I should do Y.” is nice. Check both out and see what you think. Let us know what you decide.
I don’t use Things, but here’s a great post from a kidmin leader that does. http://markentzminger.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
Kenny, good question, I’d like to know as well. I think Bro Jim has used it or uses it and I think Spencer Click does as well.
What book did you just finish on productivity?
Yes!! I do. It does everything you need especially if you are a GTD person. On top of that it just started cloud syncing, but it’s in beta testing.
Now if I could just get iCal working in sync correctly with our Exchange server… One day!
I use OmniFocus and am partial to it. John Chandler got me started on it. It is GTD, but it has forecasting which is a nice feature! Check it out!
I love things. The only thing I wish it had was cloud sync. Which I am told they are working on.
If you get it though. plan on getting it across ALL your iDevices. you also will have to sync them when you are in the office so they are always up to date.
Thanks for all the good reviews people. I’m going to have to look into both Things and OmniFocus. I’m wondering if I need to just buy Things for the Iphone/IPad…. hmmm. Sounds like they really need to get the cloud sync working.
Sara, I just finished the book: Eat That Frog. GREAT book!