"For the most part, the applications that are specifically designed for project organizing are way too complex, with too much horsepower to really be functional for 98 percent of what most people need to manage." — David Allen, Getting Things Done
For Mac users who want an easier way to make lists and stay organized. TaskPaper is a simple to-do list that’s surprisingly adept. Unlike today’s complex organizers, TaskPaper is just about you and your tasks. Requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later
Today’s task managers have evolved into complex database-like applications, TaskPaper provides an alternative that harkens back to simpler (and faster) times. With TaskPaper you just type your tasks. As you type, TaskPaper recognizes and automatically formats projects, tasks, notes, and tags. It’s this simple:
Inbox: - Put camera in car - Put pizza stone in car Groceries: - Milk - Eggs - Pizza toppings Yard work: - Rake leaves - Put away hose @done - Clean up garden @done
TaskPaper doesn’t force a particular system on you; it provides you with basic to-do list elements and then you use them as you see fit. Other programs can’t match the flexibility enabled by TaskPaper’s text based interface. Text is the most clear and compact way to display and manage your tasks on a computer.
TaskPaper’s powerful filtering system makes it all work. Filtering lets you to keep thousands of tasks in a simple text file and then focus on a select few when the time is right. TaskPaper’s filter system is simple, you can focus on a particular project or tag with a single mouse click, but it also supports an advanced query language when you need it.
"It's a very simple, but intriguing and original concept. I've been using it for a few weeks, and it's definitely worth a look." — John Gruber, Daringfireball.net
"Don't buy TaskPaper if you're looking for a sophisticated personal information manager, because it's nothing of the sort. All it can do is manage smart lists for busy people, but it does this very well indeed." — Giles Turnbull, MacUser 5/5 Rating
"Because, friends, TaskPaper is just about fiddle-proof, and, frankly, I know a lot of people who could benefit from that today." — Merlin Mann, 43Folders.com
"TaskPaper’s strength is that it lets you focus on crossing out those tasks instead of building a self-referential web of unfinished business which separates you from the cold, harsh reality of all the work you need to do." — Scott McNulty, Tuaw.com
"Taskpaper is awesome software; great balance of structure and free-form. Lists!" — Jack Dorsey, CEO Twitter.com
Visit TaskPaper's wiki to learn about related projects such as TodoPaper for Windows. To find AppleScripts that automate TaskPaper, such as creating next action lists. And to list and share your own TaskPaper related projects.
TaskPaper is designed as a paper-like alternative to existing GTD (® David Allen & Co) programs like OmniFocus and Things. If TaskPaper does everything that you need, then it is likely the best choice. If you want a more structured approach then both OmniFocus and Things come from a great Mac developers who are known for creating great apps. All these apps are free to try, see what works best for you.
Copyright © 2008 Jesse Grosjean. All rights reserved.
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