Freeware

iGTD: The Way GTD Should Be

Developer: Bartek Bargiel
Version: 1.4.5.6
Price: Free
Operating Systems: Mac OS X

Download iGTD Here

As Simple or As Complex As You Want

What Does It Do?

Plain and simple, iGTD is an application that is designed to help you get things done, hence the name. It shares some similarities with David Allen’s acclaimed Getting Things Done action managing methodology, but you’re not bound to that action management style if you find that it doesn’t suit you. In other words, iGTD is a life organizer that can really help your life get back on track if you feel you have too many tasks piling up.

Is It Easy to Use?

The real strength of iGTD is that you can use it however you want. You’re not bound to any particular style of action management and you can use as many of the features that you feel you need. Nothing is forced on you, making the program as sparse or as complex as you want — which is a great benefit if you’re like me and you want some leeway in how you use your software.

While the program is relatively easy to use once you get used to it, iGTD can be a little complex when you first start it up. There are lots of buttons to push here, and new users may become a bit flustered. Luckily, Bartek realized the complexity issue and included a web based help file with a wealth of information to get you started. I used many of the resources on his site, including the handy “How Do We Use It?” section, and I found all of the information to be extremely helpful in getting started.

Does It Work Like it Should?

I had a few problems getting iGTD Leopard Fix #3 to work properly. It kept coming up with SQL errors which prevented the program from creating any new contexts, projects or tasks. However, the previous Leopard fix worked flawlessly. Knowing the author’s dedication to this project, I’m sure that any problems with Leopard Fix #3 will be ironed out in no time.

Aside from the SQL showstopper, I’ve not had any other problems with iGTD, and it works flawlessly. No crashes, no glitches, just smooth sailing.

Organizing your tasks and goals is a snap, although there are a few features that could use improvement. I’d like to see the due date picker snap back to start date when I create a new task. Also, the interface, while somewhat attractive, could use a bit of polish, which I’m glad to see is part of the revision for iGTD2.

But those are minor points, and in the grand scheme of things, iGTD is a fantastic program. It integrates with just about everything on your Mac, it’s snappy quick to respond, it can be customized however you please with a plethora of preferences, and it’s an extremely well thought out program that makes organizing your tasks as simple as thinking of things you need to do. A click here, some typing there, and you’ve got the month planned out in an instant.

Good Points?

There are two major benefits of iGTD that I absolutely love. First, the fact that you can use the program how you please is a big, big, positive in my book. I hate being bound by some arbitrary method of doing things, especially with a program that is as personal as this one.

Secondly, iGTD has an amazing list of all of the programs it integrates with. Since it was programmed in Cocoa, it can mesh with a lot of Apple’s default programs, Leopard, and more — but it also has features that allow you to sync with nearly every web browser for the Mac, nearly every mail program for the Mac, other personal organizers, and software favorites like Quicksilver [review], TextMate, Yojimbo, and VoodooPad. Fantastic!

Problem Areas?

Aside from a couple of interface issues and the Leopard Fix #3 SQL problem, iGTD is practically perfect. Other than a couple of nitpicks, like the fact that you can’t customize font size or background color without a restart, I honestly can’t think of any real problems with this program. Bartek Bargeil has created an amazing program and he really should be proud of his work.

Recommended?

Maybe I shouldn’t have started my GTD month with such an amazing program, as its going to be difficult for any other apps to match the power and usability of iGTD. I never thought I would find myself using one of these Getting Things Done types of programs, but I’m absolutely sold on iGTD. iGTD is highly recommended even if you’ve never thought you needed a life management program. There are quite a few programs that I never use again after reviewing them, but iGTD won’t be one of them.

Download iGTD Here

- Eric Norton