I tried to run a paper-only system, but it didn’t end up working for me. I really needed the database-style approach whereby actions could be viewed both as part of their respective Project and Context.

What I settled on, however, was the free online SimpleGTD. It provides the relational database for viewing actions in their associated locations, but it’s simple enough that you don’t get bogged down with lots of fancy-shmancy features. In fact, I even use its “Printable Context Lists” page to carry my lists around in my Hipster PDA, and then once a day I synchronize my handwritten changes on the cards into the online system.