What You Don't Need in a Task Manager

In the old days, a to-do list was enough.  This magical tool could be generated on the back of a knapkin (I've always admired those that could avoid the ink from bleeding through), on a scap piece of paper or of course in a full-fledged notebook.

The great thing was simply the art of crossing something out.  I've been guilty of adding things for the sole purpose of the Cross Off.  It looked like this up until a few years ago:

1. Make calls for upcoming meeting

2. Draft supervisory letter

3. Prepare for class

4. Wake up 

The last item, really?  Did I really need to include that?  Not at all, but the pure joy of the Cross Off was enough to trick the system once again and work my magic.

Nowadays, life is more complex.  I have 30 projects at one time.  Ministry, work, the blog, grad school- it all goes into my task manager as the knapkin is now too small.  Sure, I could write wicked small but I think we're beyond that.

I'm appreciating Michael Hyatt's take on his favorite task manager.  Mike Vardy has apparently made some recent changes to his system and me, I'm testing out this beauty.

But what is a task manager and how does it differ from the old 1-2-3-4 list like I've created above?

For starters, a task manager allows you to manage a project which is simply a complicated way of saying a bunch of lists.  You might attach files.  You could include audio or URL links.  You can also use your email to route items into your task manager.  

Nothing wrong with getting on a roll with a project, doing action steps as they show up; just make sure you’re taking some sort of note that you can throw in your in-basket if you don’t finish, which will serve as a bookmark to determine the next action before too long.  David Allen

I've tried a lot of them and find Nozbe and Producteev to be my favorites. The key is to find one that you enjoy using.  Here's what you don't need from a task manager: complexity.

This is not to say that your task manager should be juvenile; it shouldn't.  It should scale to the amount of your projects.  It should be fun to use. It should be something that you don't think about very often.  It should not be ugly, overly complex, clunky or buggy.  It should be smooth, seamless, frictionless and most of all- it should help you actually get things done.  

Now that's a simple approach if there ever was one.

Photo courtesy of thaikrit

A Review of the New Nozbe Desktop

Having tried just about every ToDo app there is, my preferred app of choice is Nozbe.  I like the fact that I can use it anywhere on any device and have written extensive reviews as such.

Nozbe, as a company, is also a great example of a group of developers who are using their business to do some good in the world.  Their customer service flows out of a desire to serve the customer rather than simply acquire more users.

Their new desktop version for both Windows and Mac is very promising. I've been using an advanced version for several weeks and here are my reactions:

1. Very nice looking.  Gone are the hard ines and sterile landscape and in are greens and beiges as well as more prominent input buttons.  It feels like a Mac Lion app and even offers full screen mode.
2. Accordian expansion.  Unlike the older versions of Nozbe, the new desktop app features a three panel expansion process that grows if a project needs it to, giving you the ability to add comments and other details.
3. Excellent pop-ups.  When you are about to delete something, a nice and large pop-up prompts you to confirm whether or not you are serious.  It just feels slick to me.
4. Color coding.  You can now add various colors to your tasks- I haven't figured this out yet but it looks promising.  

What I don't Like

If quick-keys and keyboard shortcuts are your thing, the current version of Nozbe desktop isn't quite there.  I have no doubt however that they will finish the shine on the version that Apple eventually approves for the App Store but it's that final 1% that will make Nozbe yet another option for your productivity toolbox.

Here is a short video from Michael, Nozbe's founder about how the desktop app is coming along:

P.s. if you'd like to try Nozbe, consider using the "Tools I Use" link to Nozbe in the far right collumn of the page.  TDS gets a small commission for everyone who tries out Nozbe through that link.  Click here for the link.

The Kindle Fire After One Month of Use

Like many holiday shoppers, I greeted a new Amazon Kindle Fire with enthusiasm.  I had a few questions before I opened the box:

Would it rival my iPad 2?

Would the 7" screen be more ideal for reading?

Since it arrived, I've tried it as a productivity device and my conclusion is simple: the Fire disappoints if you're trying to get work done.  The apps look terrible for email compared to those on the iPad.  In addition, the smaller keyboard just doesn't feel right for typing.

Sure, I can access Twitter just fine but again, I'd rather use my iPhone or iPad for a more elegant solution.

As for games, the Fire is a suitable device and my kids love the free "app of the day".  I'm not a big gamer so this isn't really a big deal for me.

Battery life is quite good and overall the form factor is both portable and solidely built.  It feels good in the hand and is very durable.

While the productivity aspects of the Fire lag, I like the Fire a lot when it comes to reading via the Kindle store.  I always felt like the iPad was just too big to read on and the Fire offers a better overall reading experience.

How are you using your Fire whether as a productivity device or one just for media consumption?

Apple's Recommitment to Education and What it Means for Schools

Last week, Apple held a special event in New York City that was thought to be a snoozer- textbooks, publishing and related items.  Watching the keynote of the event (watch it here on Apple's website), the response was a surprising bit of "wow"!  Textbooks don't seem so boring after all.

What did Apple announce that was so significant?

1. iBooks2. Apple's version of the Kindle Reader now is richer than ever, with more features and an expanding library.  It's free and available in the iOS app store.


2. iBooks Author. This new Mac-only app is free, user friendly and allows just about anyone to create and then publish e-books to iBooks.  I've tried it for a few hours and think that this will be a game-changer.  Apple just shifted the ability to publish content from the large publishing companies to any teacher or school who has the desire to do so.  Let's say you're a master teacher and have perfected a lesson plan.  Now with iBooks Author, you can literally publish your material and share it with the world.  The distance between what a teacher knows and what a student can learn just got thinner.


3. Textbooks. Now with its own section within iBooks, textbooks get some extra love.  Not only is the price low but the consumer (read: student) owns the resource.  No more handing back at the end of the year an outdated textbook that you can't write in.  As an educator, this is significant.  Imagine you teach current world issues and your textbook is still featuring photos of the previous President of the United States.  Now, your book will offer current photos, updated speeches and dynamic video content.  This isn't Harry Potter we're talking about- it's here and now and possible in every school on the planet.


4. iTunesU. The educational portal for iTunes now has its own app for portable use.  You can subscribe to college-level courses and take the content with you wherever you go.  This is now going to be opened up to high school courses as well.

I can't emphasize enough how Apple has just shifted the game of education.

From large companies to individual teachers and students.

From affluent-only schools to anywhere-anytime schools.

The best of education is now able to be created by anyone and enjoyed by any student.  Not surprisingly, Apple has convinced the three largest publishers to join in the revolution.  They have hitched their wagon on Apple's iPad success and it just might work.  This recent data confirms the usefulness of iPads in raising student test scores.

So what's the catch?

The only one that I can see is the $500 barrier of entry.  To take advantage of all of these initiatives, a student has to use an iPad.  I say, "no big deal".  Having used an iPad for over a year, I can say that it's a revolutionary device. The distance between teacher and student no longer has the screen of a laptop to obscure collaboration.  This means fewer video games during class (oh yes, that happens in every 1x1 program that I've seen) and a better distribution of class content than ever before.  Schools need to find creative ways to finance the use of iPads for its students.  I realize that this is easier said than done.

David Sparks of MacSparky has the best summary of Apple's event that I found in prep for this post.  Like all things that Apple commits itself to, their education initiatives will take time to evolve.  They might not be perfect but if anyone can improve education, it's Apple.

This should be fun.

My Review of GoCal Calendar App

I recently saw a link to a new iOS app called GoCal from LightRoom Apps.  After I sent out a tweet conveying some curiosity about the app, LightRoom was kind enough to contact me and then provide a demo code in order to try it out.

Does it live up to the positive reviews it's been receiving on iTunes? Read on for my take on GoCal.

GoCal is not a universal app, meaning that you do have to purchase one for the iPad and another for the iPhone.  This isn't ideal but it has several nice features, including:

• A beautiful icon (admit it, icons matter)


• A unique UI that's easy on the eyes


• Some iPad views that no other calendar app has (see below)


• A fast sync with Google Calendar (a must for me)


• Large input buttons for fast input

Here is a photo of the unique view within the iPad version:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's rare to find a three column view in landscape mode.

I'm now using GoCal as my calendar app of choice.  It's good looking, syncs quickly and does not crash.  In order to give it a try, click here for more info from LightRoom.

 

Here is my video walkthrough of the app:

How iCloud is Like the Holy Spirit

Apple officially released iCloud and there seems to be a lot of miscommunication about what it is.  We know what it's not:

• It's not a website (although you can certainly go to icloud.com)


• It's not a place


• It's not a browser


• It's not a search engine

So what the heck is it?  Well, it's sort of like the Holy Spirit.  In a Christian theology of the Trinity, the Father creates, the Son redeems and the Holy Spirit holds it all together, sanctifying all of creation.

iCloud holds it all together- your calendar, your address book, your photos and documents.  It's the fiber of memory between your mobile devices and the thread that keeps your data backed up.

I imagine that in a few years, people won't even think about iCloud because they'll take it for granted.  Christians have been doing this for centuries, focusing more on the Father and Jesus.

Maybe it's time for techies to get to know iCloud.

Maybe it's time for Christians to get to know the Holy Spirit.

If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor.
- Saint Charles Borromeo