I've been using OF since it was first released, and bought the iPhone version when it was released. I learned the GTD process and made a serious try at using. It just didn't make sense for me. The vast majority of my work is structured for me. The number of tasks I have is relatively small. I don't have many, if any, large complicated projects. I've come to the conclusion that all I really need is a simple straightforward task list.
But I've got OF and I still use it. I've tried others, including the to do list in iCal. But have come back to OF.
The main reason is the event capture capability and the linking to email. Most of the stuff that I really need a task manager for comes to me in email. Most of it is peripheral to my main job. Being able to process the email, identify the task to be completed and put off in OF to deal with later when I have time is really important to me. And it is crucial that I have a solid link back to the email, as it usually contains information or documents I need to complete the task.
The clip-o-tron 3000 feature is the best I've tried. It and the quick entry feature make OF worth it for me. And being able to capture tasks with my iPhone when away from my MBP is another plus.
The display of the task list is preferable to more simplistic task managers, even though I don't need to do anything with "focusing" or creating a bunch of perspectives.
After trying to use a variety of contexts, I've gone to a simple list. I have four contexts. The major one is "Anywhere". It is what I use for most tasks.
I have another that is labeled "Email". This is pure personal preference. I use it for emails that I get that I can't deal with immediately, or establish a task from. It is for email that I want to read and deal with later. I could use a folder in mail.app, but have found that I prefer to create a task with the clip-o-tron that gets put in with the rest of my other tasks.
The third context is "Waiting" for tasks that I am waiting on someone for a reply.
The last is "Maybe" for those ideas and tasks that I might do someday.
With essentially one context, Anywhere, I've created a simple task list.
I still have several life areas of responsibility in the project view and under each I have a Single Action list folder titled with "(area of responsibility) - to do" and use these as the projects assigned to tasks. I may eventually abandon this and just have one project folder of single action lists titled to do.
As an aside, I also use OmniOutliner as an organizer and copy emails into outlines on numerous topics to which they apply. Between OF and OO I am able to be very organized and follow inbox zero technique easily and very quickly.
OmniFocus is probably overkill for me. I don't know if I would spend the money if I had to do it all over again, but it is possible to structure it as a simple task list. And the powerful quick integration with mail.app is what makes it worthwhile for me.
I find the use of OF, OO, mail.app and iCal a better solution for task management, organizer, and mail management than the other good option, that is, going completely with Google Mail, Calendar and Tasks.
But I've got OF and I still use it. I've tried others, including the to do list in iCal. But have come back to OF.
The main reason is the event capture capability and the linking to email. Most of the stuff that I really need a task manager for comes to me in email. Most of it is peripheral to my main job. Being able to process the email, identify the task to be completed and put off in OF to deal with later when I have time is really important to me. And it is crucial that I have a solid link back to the email, as it usually contains information or documents I need to complete the task.
The clip-o-tron 3000 feature is the best I've tried. It and the quick entry feature make OF worth it for me. And being able to capture tasks with my iPhone when away from my MBP is another plus.
The display of the task list is preferable to more simplistic task managers, even though I don't need to do anything with "focusing" or creating a bunch of perspectives.
After trying to use a variety of contexts, I've gone to a simple list. I have four contexts. The major one is "Anywhere". It is what I use for most tasks.
I have another that is labeled "Email". This is pure personal preference. I use it for emails that I get that I can't deal with immediately, or establish a task from. It is for email that I want to read and deal with later. I could use a folder in mail.app, but have found that I prefer to create a task with the clip-o-tron that gets put in with the rest of my other tasks.
The third context is "Waiting" for tasks that I am waiting on someone for a reply.
The last is "Maybe" for those ideas and tasks that I might do someday.
With essentially one context, Anywhere, I've created a simple task list.
I still have several life areas of responsibility in the project view and under each I have a Single Action list folder titled with "(area of responsibility) - to do" and use these as the projects assigned to tasks. I may eventually abandon this and just have one project folder of single action lists titled to do.
As an aside, I also use OmniOutliner as an organizer and copy emails into outlines on numerous topics to which they apply. Between OF and OO I am able to be very organized and follow inbox zero technique easily and very quickly.
OmniFocus is probably overkill for me. I don't know if I would spend the money if I had to do it all over again, but it is possible to structure it as a simple task list. And the powerful quick integration with mail.app is what makes it worthwhile for me.
I find the use of OF, OO, mail.app and iCal a better solution for task management, organizer, and mail management than the other good option, that is, going completely with Google Mail, Calendar and Tasks.
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