What would you want out of to-do list software?

I

Insomniac

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Mar 3, 2007
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I use Basecamp right now for most of my to-do needs. The todo functionality is as nice as you need, everything is ajax and there isn't a hell of a lot wrong with it. I can't seem to find any software out there that is as advanced as I want, but has enough of a simple interface that it won't get in my way. Here are the things I'd want to see, what can you guys think of?

The ability to create multi dimensional lists. eg.. I can create a sub list of items when I realize an existing task is too complex.

Be able to expand and collapse lists and sub lists.

Create template lists or sublists. You could for example create a template related to setting up a new server, which saves you from rewriting the list.

Simpler resorting of lists as well of items in each list.

Ability to prioritize 1-5 all lists and all items within lists.

The ability to share (read. or read/write) a an item and it's children with a particular email address.

Be able to create rolling lists. For example, I create a lists for each day of the week, and therefore know that I need to do a followup on something a few days later. The rollover would move tasks from days that pass into the next day if they aren't completed. Therefore I wouldn't have to reorganize those tasks.

The ability to set sublist as hidden until a certain task is complete. Therefore removing clutter from a task until the initial steps are taken.
 


Thinking of building one? I just finished one (Slackk.com, won't link it directly as not to whore your thread) but I just focused on simplicity and quickness.

For me personally, I don't want something that's going to require a learning curve or anymore than a few minutes of my time to create goals / todo lists.

*But* my site is more of a service for your avg person and not business owners - So a more serious demographic like business owners would probably require something more like what you're describing. Though I've used my own site for a few projects and it works pretty well.

edit: Definitely one thing that's practically an absolute necessity is a smartphone app (iphone / android) for any type of service like this.
 
Sharing the list & assigning certain task items or sub-items to a shared user. Forced reminders set at X interval once an original due-date is missed.

Having someone kick my ass when I don't follow up on a task.

I've been looking for a good, simple, to-do list with sharing, but haven't found a good solution. I don't need Gantt charts or anything, just a shareable list, with deadlines and sharing/assigning capabilities.
 
johu said:
Having someone kick my ass when I don't follow up on a task.
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Actually, I had an idea for that a while back. You would enter your phone number into the system, and then the number of your wife/girlfriend/mother/brother. If you miss a deadline the system would spoof the caller ID of one of the other people listed and call to nag you. Since you have no idea if the call is real or not, the frustration of being nagged by a computer should drive you to complete the task.

Basecamp is pretty decent for assigning/sharing, but when you have 10+ active lists it gets rather daunting.
 
I use TeamworkPM (it's better for my needs than Basecamp - cheaper too) for my main project tasks for my business and then will use Toodledo to keep my personal to-do's. It has a website, firefox plugin, and an iPhone and Android app. Toodledo pretty much does anything you can think of.
 
Insomniac said:
Actually, I had an idea for that a while back. You would enter your phone number into the system, and then the number of your wife/girlfriend/mother/brother. If you miss a deadline the system would spoof the caller ID of one of the other people listed and call to nag you. Since you have no idea if the call is real or not, the frustration of being nagged by a computer should drive you to complete the task.
Click to expand...

haha, not a bad idea. the route i took was to intentionally inflict the fear of the app sending embarrassing facebook and/or twitter messages to your wall. tomorrow should be good, 100 new members today from stumbleupon - going to be some wall posts made I'm sure.. ;)
 
dreamache said:
Thinking of building one? I just finished one (Slackk.com, won't link it directly as not to whore your thread) but I just focused on simplicity and quickness.

edit: Definitely one thing that's practically an absolute necessity is a smartphone app (iphone / android) for any type of service like this.
Click to expand...

Either I'll build one, or pay to have it developed - or nudge someone else to add the features I want. I don't want to create a business model out of this.

Slackk looks pretty interesting, though not quite as simple on a per item level as I'd like. I think I saw another app out there with a pretty similar interface. I do think I'd have a hard time managing the amount of items I currently do with it. Currently I have a total of 22 active lists and 109 active tasks.

Good call on the iphone app.
 
dreamache said:
haha, not a bad idea. the route i took was to intentionally inflict the fear of the app sending embarrassing facebook and/or twitter messages to your wall. tomorrow should be good, 100 new members today from stumbleupon - going to be some wall posts made I'm sure.. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah I like that, though knowing facebook I would have a pretty big fear of being shutdown. I don't feel like they quite get the humour in an app telling everyone you were caught jacking off.
 
Rexibit said:
I use TeamworkPM (it's better for my needs than Basecamp - cheaper too) for my main project tasks for my business and then will use Toodledo to keep my personal to-do's. It has a website, firefox plugin, and an iPhone and Android app. Toodledo pretty much does anything you can think of.
Click to expand...

The price is the same for me, and I use Campfire integration to do things like post when fraud signups come in and things like that.

Toodledo looks alright, but overall too cluttered. I don't really want tables and I don't want 3/4 of the information displayed to me unless I'm creating or editing an item.
 
Insomniac said:
Yeah I like that, though knowing facebook I would have a pretty big fear of being shutdown. I don't feel like they quite get the humour in an app telling everyone you were caught jacking off.
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haha damn good point. i think i'm actually going to tone down the potential quotes a bit to avoid that issue.
 
joevis said:
To-do lists promote bad memory habits. Use it or lose it!
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I've read in numerous books that planning increases productivity from 25-200% and based on my own experience I'm inclined to agree with around an 80% improvement in my own situation. To-do's are a great way to plan that works for me, and they definitely decrease the amount I procrastinate. If I wanted a better memory I would allocate some time each day to memory exercises.
 
Insomniac said:
I use Basecamp right now for most of my to-do needs. The todo functionality is as nice as you need, everything is ajax and there isn't a hell of a lot wrong with it. I can't seem to find any software out there that is as advanced as I want, but has enough of a simple interface that it won't get in my way. Here are the things I'd want to see, what can you guys think of?

The ability to create multi dimensional lists. eg.. I can create a sub list of items when I realize an existing task is too complex.

Be able to expand and collapse lists and sub lists.

Create template lists or sublists. You could for example create a template related to setting up a new server, which saves you from rewriting the list.

Simpler resorting of lists as well of items in each list.

Ability to prioritize 1-5 all lists and all items within lists.

The ability to share (read. or read/write) a an item and it's children with a particular email address.

Be able to create rolling lists. For example, I create a lists for each day of the week, and therefore know that I need to do a followup on something a few days later. The rollover would move tasks from days that pass into the next day if they aren't completed. Therefore I wouldn't have to reorganize those tasks.

The ability to set sublist as hidden until a certain task is complete. Therefore removing clutter from a task until the initial steps are taken.
Click to expand...

I could probably build this in a day or two. After I catch up with my clients I'll create it. I already have plans on creating a project manager better than all the ones currently, because they all seem to be missing something... might just be me. But when I make it I'll toss it up on produck.org to be a place holder until my final project is complete.

But I must finish my current clients first :(
 
I'd like a software that takes everything on your to-do list and does them.
 
I use Solve360. Nice little package. Basically CRM + Project Management, rolled into a simple, intuitive product. Doesn't do some of the things you mentioned in the original post, but works perfect for what I need it for. Way better than the 37 signals products IMO. Project Pier, Remember the Milk also might be worth a look.
 
Seems like everyone wants to make a todo list software these days...

I've been planning one, very similar to the one the OP wants, just never kicked it into gear to make it...my biggest problem would be creating the android app, since i hate java...but i'll get it done.
 
Maybe a feel like MindManager that lets you Map everything to see the bigger picture and drill down.

The ability to import/integrate other documents/applications similar to MindManager (Excel,Word, PowerPoint, Webpages, etc..). For example if I'm working on Project A and performing steps 123 and want to track the results of those steps I could include/integrate a separate spreadsheet to assist with that.
 
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