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Does anyone know any apps like OmniFocus I could use for my MacBook Pro but is free?
- Thread starter Hieveryone
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There hardly are any, basically it is something like Reminders (built-in) or some sort of text based solution like todo txt. Every other piece of software is payware (Omnifocus and 2Do are really good apps and definitely worth the money) but that's the only route if you want to do more and/or want to have a good look and easy to work with application.
I've been looking into OmniFocus these last few days and I was wondering how you would run your life on it. Could you give some details as to how you use it?
I tend to write long notes and find that OF (again in my limited testing) does not like these long entries.
[doublepost=1486421114][/doublepost]Wait i think i have the answer http://www.asianefficiency.com/task-management/omnifocus-and-evernote/
What types of notes are you entering that the notes field (the little icon to the right of the item) isn't sufficient. If you're doing much longer notes I'd put a base entry in OF, create your notes in a separate app like word, then drag the item into the notes field to create a shortcut within OF.
As far as usage, sure. I've been running OF for about 6 years now. I dump most everything that comes to mind, to dos, reminders and even long multiyear projects into Omnifocus (OF). You can dump everything into the inbox at first as it comes to mind and then when you have some free time, hash it out into its own project or action. The default shortcut (I think) to invoke the quick input window is ctrl+option+space even while using other apps. I use this probably about 20-30 times a day as quick thoughts pop up to save for later.
Stuff that has an item associated with it can hang out in OF as well. For instance if I need to reply to an email or complete a PDF, I can drag the file into the item in OF and the link will show up there, so I don't even need to remember where I put it. More importantly, I can save it and walk away if something else comes up, but it'll still be in OF and I'll know it needs to be completed.
The most important part are probably the date/time related items. Most anything can sit in OF, important things that are due at a certain time. Use OF to capture the data and give it the due date of the item. OF can, optionally, publish a calendar subscription that you use to connect to your calendar of choice (I use BusyCal). Now these items will be managed in OF but you can see their due dates on the calendar.
OF for iOS is just as powerful as the desktop companion though not free, also worth the price. They have a free sync server but you can use your own webdav server (which I recommend, just to maintain control of your data).
If you are really hardcore you can use location based context. For instance you can have it remind you of your grocery list when you're at your local grocery store. Encryption/Password options are also available.
here are two links to get started, the first is from the Omnigroup, the second (paid) option is from the guy who invented the GTD methodology and how to apply it to OF.
https://inside.omnifocus.com/gtd
http://gettingthingsdone.com/2014/09/new-omnifocus-2-setup-guide/
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. This is really helpful as I have been looking for a place to put all my thoughts, to-dos, research projects etc.
From what I've been researching this morning it seems that having both OF and EN and linking together could be the way to go.
Could I ask how you go about structuring your multi year projects in OF? Is it just task and lists?
Well, sort of. I'd usually create a project and then depending on what I need to do, I'll create another project nested within or a couple of individual actions and when they need to be completed.
If you create it as a project you can add and remove items as necessary, but ask Omnifocus to remind you to review the item periodically (i.e. once a month , once a year, once every two years etc). This is great if you're afraid you will forget about a certain item.
OmniFocus is life-changing. Lynda.com has excellent tutorials for both the Mac and iOS versions that get you in the GTD mindset.
You can also make a folder that contains projects. I sometimes have large projects that run 2-3 years. I make a folder for such a project and then make Omnifocus projects for each stage for example.
So I have just started to use ToDoist https://todoist.com It's free and has most of the features that OF has plus all the apps are free. I think I might be using this.