43 Folders

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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

bengoshisan's picture

Trying to find "the right...

Trying to find "the right software for GTD" may be missing the point. In a podcast with Merlin Mann David Allen said something like if you can't do your GTD on paper, then you can't do it at all. It does not mean of course that you must do it on paper -- but if you know how to do it, then it does not matter what your tools are, whether its hifi or lofi, computer or paper.

As for the Terminal, it can do wonders. I use both QS, terminal and the Finder, depending on what needs to be done.

 
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