43 Folders

Back to Work

Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

Join us via RSS, iTunes, or at 5by5.tv.

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

The wow factor

Hi folders,

I don't mind about being a bit controversial and maybe I don't get it yet because I am just starting with GTD, but I really don't get it the way Merlin wants to work. I am glad that it works for him and I am not criticizing, but it doesn't appeal to me.

I don't like QuickSilver at all; to me it is a more modern way of using the command-line interface we Mac users hate.

If I would have a black screen with only a cursor on it, nothing tempts me to get started with GTD. The success is totally dependant on my personal drive to get something useful started.

GTD seems pretty exiting, but why is it wrapped up in such a boring office-like interface like kGTD or iGTD offer? Where is the wow-factor we contemporary Mac users love?

The GTD-system I dream of is much more like Apple's FrontRow, or the interface of the Apple TV. Huge simple icons invite you to Collect, Process, Organize, Review or Do. If one is chosen, its icon whooshes to a corner, clearing the screen for menu items to invite me to the next step. Inviting me to do next actions, showing me all files related to a project, syncing with iCal, you name it.

I know I should train myself to daily empty the in-box, bring up the tickler file, view the calendar, etcetera, but why couldn't my GTD application bring that up daily?

Being male, I am familiar with the seductive power of beauty. It can be very distractive. For that reason, I understand Merlin Mann in choosing an entirely black screen to avoid distraction. But I believe we also can use the seductive power of beauty to get things done.

I am a graphic designer and I would love to team up with programmers to cooperate in such a project, to build a 2007 worthy, next generation GTD app.

Terry

mdl's picture

I don't like QuickSilver at...

TerryVog;8914 wrote:

I don't like QuickSilver at all; to me it is a more modern way of using the command-line interface we Mac users hate.

Um... I've been a Mac user since 1985 and I think the introduction of UNIX and the command line was one of the best things ever to happen to the Mac.

TerryVog;8914 wrote:

If I would have a black screen with only a cursor on it, nothing tempts me to get started with GTD. The success is totally dependant on my personal drive to get something useful started.

To each his own. For some people, however, a black screen with a cursor is exactly what is needed to get started.

TerryVog;8914 wrote:

The GTD-system I dream of is much more like Apple's FrontRow, or the interface of the Apple TV. Huge simple icons invite you to Collect, Process, Organize, Review or Do. If one is chosen, its icon whooshes to a corner, clearing the screen for menu items to invite me to the next step. Inviting me to do next actions, showing me all files related to a project, syncing with iCal, you name it.

Why not a GTD video game?

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

Popular
Today

Popular
Classics

An Oblique Strategy:
Honor thy error as a hidden intention


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Cranking

Merlin used to crank. He’s not cranking any more.

This is an essay about family, priorities, and Shakey’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best thing he’s written. »

Scared Shitless

Merlin’s scared. You’re scared. Everybody is scared.

This is the video of Merlin’s keynote at Webstock 2011. The one where he cried. You should watch it. »