WingNews logo WingNews GitHub [2]
top | item 2497348

Ask HN: Best to-to list, outliner, task manager

1 points| owkaye | 15 years ago | reply

I'm seeking a simple to-to list, outliner, or task manager to help me list individual tasks -- and to sub-list in priority order the steps needed to accomplish each task.

I think a tool like this was posted here some time in the past, but I cannot remember its name.

If you have any suggestions for a tool that can handle this in a simple, effective interface please post it in this thread -- and let's discuss the pros and cons of each so I can figure out which is the best tool for my needs.

I seem to have a huge number of tasks to accomplish in the new responsibility I've taken on as a manager of a small farm property, and in between programming projects I would love to be able to go to a simple online tool and immediately see a complete list of all the tasks I need to accomplish -- along with the required steps needed to complete each task -- so I can focus on what I NEED to focus on and therefore become more productive.

Thanks.

12 comments

order
[+] gwy|15 years ago|reply
I've tried about a million, and have found Todoist.com and Workflowy.com to be the most aligned with how I manage to-dos.

They both allow hierarchal task lists like you want, and both have extremely clean interfaces.

Workflowy is particularly useful for focus, as it allows you to sort of "zoom in" on one task so you see only that task and its subtasks.

[+] owkaye|15 years ago|reply
I will start by looking at workflowy since you like its ability to focus on a single task when that's all you care about at that time. Thanks. (edit: I think workflowy may be the one I heard about here a while back, the name sounds somewhat familiar.)
[+] rmah|15 years ago|reply
I use a notebook and a pen. Very cheap, highly portable, super high resolution, infinite battery life.
[+] owkaye|15 years ago|reply
Please do not post time-wasting comments like this. I asked a serious question and I would appreciate a thoughtful and useful answer.
[+] owkaye|15 years ago|reply
I think this thread has served its purpose. Workflowy appears to be the ideal tool for what I need. If someone has a better suggestion please email me, my email address is in my profile. Thanks.
[+] ramynassar|15 years ago|reply
THings is a pretty good one, available on many platforms
[+] owkaye|15 years ago|reply
If you can post a URL and/or provide some reasons why you say this is a good one, that would be helpful. (edit: I found a program called "Getting Things GNOME!" that is probably similar to the one you referred to as "things". Thanks.)