Quantum Forest logs are written by Luis A. Apiolaza in Christchurch, New Zealand and powered by TextPattern.

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Overkill and back to basics
Published Thursday March 9, 2006 · Permalink

I decided to revise my old post on using a Palm for GTD. There have been a few changes during the last year or so, which justified a closer look at what I was doing:

Firstly, do I need an ‘AJAX based’ collaboration suite to keep my to-do list? Most likely not, a piece of paper will do. Actually, this is my permanent struggle:

Thus, my current work flow now has Outlook/Entourage that synchronises with my Palm Tungsten T3, which I carry with me all the time. The Palm just acts as a diary with alarms. The only added software is still Agendus Pro (which I have not bother on upgrading) and Bonsai (which I have not used for a while, but that I will try again).

So now there is synchronisation and consolidation (Outlook/Entourage and the Palm are mirror copies), I can carry this thing with me (the Palm) and if the Palm dies (as it did during the weekend for some strange reason) there is always the chance to check my items through internet, either using the Microsoft Exchange or connecting to my computers using Remote Desktop Client.

Back to internet services

Anyway, with my current system out of the way, I want to explain why I did not go for an internet service. The main reason is because I need to keep things easily accesible for when I am offline. Yes, I could try to access some of these services via my mobile phone, but it would cost a fortune to see things in a very small screen. In addition, a lot of the AJAXy interface would not work. Most services do not allow for synchronisation with a PDA.

There are also other issues like: Can I trust the data to the company? Will it go belly up in the next three months? Can I save or export my data in another format, so I’m not stuck using an unreadable mess?

If the programs or services promise to deliver collaboration features:

Another question, Can I run it under my control? I always prefer something that I can install in my server over some ‘hosted by a start-up solution’. Yes, I am a bit paranoid about losing my data, but shit happens and one learns.

Finally, do not believe all the hype. 37 signals may be the poster child for that amorfous web 2.0 label. However, I do not think that their programs are of much use, and I rather prefer the software delivered by other companies. I mentioned writely (the equivalent to 37’s writeboard) before. There is also Zoho Planner, which is certainly nicer than any other web planner that I have seen. So, if you are interested in web software shop around.

PS 2006-03-17. In another example of reducing complexity, Rui Carmo got really excited about using Tracks for GTD. A week later he dumped the whole thing for Outlook and Citrix. The latter to allow for crossplatform access.

del.icio.us tags: gtd productivity webservices.

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Implementing GTD in Palm
Published Tuesday April 12, 2005 · Permalink

My previous post mentioned that I got David Allen’s ‘Getting things done’ (GTD) book. One of the central tenets of the system is the ability to keep a brain dump in either paper or electronic form, so one stops worrying about pending things. David presents his version of using a Palm for implementing GTD. However, his approach is overly complex for my situation, so I only use two projects lists and three context ‘to do’ lists:

There is no need for separations like @Computer, @Net and @Calls, because I always have access to computers, net and phone when I am at home or work. If something can be done at any place it will go to my @Home list. The larger the number of lists the bigger the chances that one will miss checking some of them. Although I could use Palm’s Tasks, Calendar and Contacts applications, I find that their integration is very poor. I certainly prefer to use link to Agendus Pro; it is not perfect, but features much better integration between applications and it uses my Palm’s default databases. It also allows attaching icons to ‘to do’ items—feature which I use to classify tasks within lists—and linking people to items. In addition to these simple lists in Agendus, I use Bonsai to outline my most complex projects (this includes less than ten projects at the moment).

PDAs are excellent for reviewing information and reminding me about meetings and tasks (what would life be without the alarms?). Nevertheless, they suck at typing information in, so I often carry a Hipster PDA, which is a fancy name for a bunch of index cards (5×3” or 127×76mm) clipped together with the smallest binder clip one can find. Well, that and a pen or pencil.

The item that I have not yet implemented is a tickler file, because still seems too much work and some of the benefits can be obtained just by including things in a calendar. I may change my mind on this one, depending in how the system works for me. Incidentally, I found a large number of tips on GTD at 43 folders.

PS 2006-03-13: I have updated the workflow in this post.

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The constraints of technology
Published Thursday February 17, 2005 · Permalink

During my bus rides I have finished reading (using ereader) two novels by Cory Doctorow1: Eastern Standard Tribe and Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom. In both novels Cory describes compelling worlds where technology—meaning pervasive SMS messaging, permanent net connections, cloning, deadheading and brain backups—‘just works’.

My previous post on the limits of netbanking left me thinking of the contrast between Cory’s novels and real life. Where do these differences come from? I mean, apart of time for perfecting and delivering any of the described technologies, the two main issues seem to be interfaces and reliability.

Interfaces in real life are not transparent but many times are barriers that interrupt the user accessing the underlying technology. Rarely something works without any modification when just out of the box. We need to configure accounts, setup servers or providers, learn a new interface, etc; all this so we can start enjoying the promise of technology. Concerning reliability, Would you go deadheading or restore your mind from a backup? Would you trust your life to a computer running windows or PalmOS for that matter?

And talking about technology

I finally managed to use my old Psion travel modem with my Tungsten T3. I followed the instructions in this page but completely ignored the use of EasySwitch, that kept crashing my Palm. Now I can update the quotes and weather forecast in AgendusPro and write emails in my palm and then send them using the travel modem.

The Fitaly virtual keyboard has made my life easier, although I am still getting used to the strange new position of the letters.

1 Thanks to Cory for making his novels freely available under a Creative Commons licence. I would have not been able to buy the novels in Hobart, and ordering them through Amazon or Barnes and Noble would have been terribly expensive: more money on postage than on the books. The novels can be downloaded in many different electronic formats from Cory’s web site.

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Beam me up Orlando!
Published Wednesday June 16, 2004 · Permalink

As I mentioned some days ago, I bought a PalmOne Tungsten T3. I have slowly been exploring (and discovering) software and hardware features.

Yesterday, I went to K-mart and saw a Kodak digital lab. I was starting to pull the SD card off my PDA when I realised that the lab had an infrared port. A few taps and I was in ‘photo’ beaming Orlando’s pictures to the lab. A few seconds later I had photo quality prints of the cute boy. I really love when technology works without any hitches!

Green boy

I have also been testing and buying some additional things for the PDA: Agendus Pro, a calendar replacement (which I bought, it is very good value); Bonsai, an outliner (which I am testing but I have not bought yet); and Handbase a database that I am starting to evaluate. I have also purchased a Krusell leather cover for the PDA, which has good quality, although it can not be used while synchronising, and Brando’s WorkShop Screen Protector. This screen protectors are great, washable and the delivery took only four days from Hong Kong. Before I purchased Brando’s products I tried with Belkin’s clear screens, but they were too short for the T3 and not worth the money, so I took them back to the shop for a refund.

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Internet shopping and poor service
Published Tuesday June 1, 2004 · Permalink

Eleven days ago I decided to purchase a Palm Tungsten T3 PDA. Searching for dealers offering the PDA for under the recommended retail price (A$ 799) I came across Quickbuy.com.au. Their offer was interesting, A$610 including postage, product in stock, delivery time between 1 and 5 days depending on location. They were very quick to take my credit card details—and charge the card—but a week later nothing had happened. I gave them a call and, surprise!, they did not have any PDAs in stock, so I would need to wait a further two weeks (or more) to receive my PDA. I immediately cancelled the order and requested a written confirmation (an email in fact) that the transaction was cancelled. The email did not arrive, so I needed to call again to ‘remind them’ about the email. In addition, it took five days to receive the refund in my credit card. In summary, my shopping experience was a disaster.

I then contacted discountmobiles.com.au last Thursday, ordered the PDA for A$10 less than in quickbuy.com.au, and I received it this morning (Monday). Guess which company will receive my future business; no, it is not quickbuy.com.au, because they suck.

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