[MLO] Re: Lifebalance features into MLO + alternatives

[Christo]

I am finding MLO the best tool so far to achieve work/life balance,
although it does not really let me look back at the past.

Here is a relatively long and detailed description of how I actually
use the software on a daily basis.
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/a3f50d1a6eaa28b/5f7fb53229dbd937?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=christo#

In essence this boils down to
1. Capturing everything in one place and reviewing once a week
(Getting Things Done) (set priorities, contexts, due dates,
importance, but also delete and trim the list of things that are
clearly not going to happen). For me this is about 45 minutes every
week that pays off big time in not wasting productive time elsewhere.
2. Using contexts, filters and a few productivity tricks to look at
the list from different angles and making sure my brain is aware of
the most important tasks (Autofocus, 3 Most Important Tasks, GTD
Weekly Review, Zones of Focus etc.).
3. Using the software prioritisation calculator to push important
things to the top of the list (e.g. Birthdays have an overall higher
priority than work projects)
4. Having a routine review of a few key categories (@Hardlandscape,
@Tickler, @3MostImportantTasks)

The key for my own brand of procrastination is to find a new time
management fad every 4-6 weeks and try to do it in MLO. Currently the
ability to autoformat tasks in MLO with a custom format is kind of
neat to flag up the 3 most important tasks in any of the possible
views (in my current daily routine I have to decide what these are
first thing in the morning, before even opening email).

At the end of the day MLO is just a very powerful tool (kind of like a
ToDo toolbox on steriods - think Incredible Hulk). It is the
discipline of using it in a structured way that gives the results. And
the ability to forgive yourself if you have slipped, and delete those
things in the list that seemed to be a good idea at the time.

regards, Christo

On Jun 9, 8:02 pm, scoobie  wrote:
> Tim
>
> I think LB accept that the pie chart isn't scientific or that
> accurate. I think the idea is to remind you to spread your activities
> across the domains you should be working on.
>
> Can you expand a little on how you can implement this now in MLO?
> Do you mean setting reminders to work different types of activities?
>
> thanks
>
> On 9 June, 01:52, Tim  wrote:
>
>
>
> > Having paid for LifeBalance 3 or 4 -no maybe 5 year ago (it hasn't
> > changed since), and having tried to make it work for me x-different
> > ways, I can attest the balance feature of LifeBalance is overrated,
> > ultimately useless for someone who needs to prioritize first, and only
> > second gain balance in areas of hobbies and other low priority
> > 'tasks'.
>
> > But I know this gets philosophical.
>
> > Still, acknowledging the value balance, the aim to "Do some of
> > everything once in a while / do the rounds in the different areas of
> > my life/job" can be implemented simply and with much more control -
> > more accurate control, more tangible control, more definable control-
> > by using reoccuring tasks combined with other MLO features.  (See the
> > Fly Lady's Control Journal template for some examples.)
>
> > As for "Do some of everything in rotation so that I achieve weighted
> > balance X" -also known as the "oh no, my pie-charts don't match"
> > prioritization method, well, that's a nice idea that ends up being
> > silly in actual practice.  It takes a huge amount of micro-management
> > to determine the value/contribution of each task -only to end up with
> > statistics that are very vague and most likely incorrect.  Getting
> > things done (not the methodology, actually getting thinsg done) is
> > tangible, has concrete benefits.  Getting things done in all areas of
> > your life is tangible, has concrete benefits.  Being "balanced" in
> > your life makes sense.   But applying that principal at the task level
> > does not.
>
> > And it totally screws up working by prioritization.
>
> > That said, some argue that prioritization is also a lost cause, that
> > we're fooling ourselves.
>
> > On Jun 8, 12:32 pm, scoobie  wrote:
>
> > > One of the big differences between MLO and Life balance is the graphs,
> > > pie charts feature in LB.
> > > Its been much requested (by me) for MLO.
> > > The best response I've seen is MLO will get statistics at some point
> > > in the future.
>
> > > On 8 June, 14:50, Dirk  wrote:
>
> > > > Hi,
>
> > > > Currently looking at GTD tools, but as this is a new area for me, I
> > > > have two questions and hope someone can assist:
>
> > > > 1/ Does anyone have insight whether LifeBalance features can be fully
> > > > handled in MLO, and whether the same effective and efficient screens
> > > > approach can be achieved through or is planned for future inclusion
> > > > into MLO?
>
> > > > 2/ Re alternatives, anybody knows of a published shortlist of the best
> > > > or most competitive package out of the + 100 GTD apps?
>
>

[MLO] Re: Graphics Bug

[Alexis]

Does nobody ever dragged a column like icons left from the captions
column? I find this hard to believe!

Alexandra
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[MLO] Re: Multiple Instances How to?

[Alexis]

I want:

- see more than one view at once. Have the possibility to view at
least two tasks and their properties (notes etc. to compare etc.) at
once. The current state means a vast limitation compared to outlook
where you can open an endless number of tasks and view them
simultaneously.

- drag & drop tasks between two views. If contexts are missing to be
visible in that view those could be automatically added (for
example).

- drag & drop tasks in the To-Do List (in same window). Do i really
have to change all those importance, urgency, due date parameters to
repriorize my tasks? I mean importance or computed score is relative.
What happens if something more important is to do? Maybe a good idea
would be the possibility to copy those computed-score relevant
properties from one task to another.

Think simply of Outlook, where you can run multiple instances of the
same PST-File. Every change you make in one window is instantly
performed in the other window too.

Alexandra
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[MLO] Re: sync + outlook sync

[MikeM]

I have tried a couple of products.  Gladinet which maps a network
drive to your Windows Live Skydrive and Dropbox which virtualizes
their web storage to a folder on your system.  The Gladinet product
(free version) had problems with performance and especially with our
company VPN it would restart the service each time I would connect
with the VPN.  Files would disappear from the folder view but would
still be there on the Skydrive.  All and all not a very satisfactory
experience.  The Dropbox solution on the other hand worked without a
hitch.  The Dropbox solution is free for 2GB and then you pay to get
more space and it is a pretty good premium.  Since ML files are fairly
small I get by with the free 2GB version.  I have it mapped to my home
machine and my work machine.  It makes it available in both places.

I hope to see more and better solutions in this space.  I really don't
mind paying for space in fact I like to support things that I use but
$99/year for 50GB and $199/year for 100GB seems a bit steep.

Anyway I promised to report back...

Mike

On Jun 3, 6:00 pm, Gordon  wrote:
> I set this up a couple of hrs ago, and so far, so good.
>
> MLO on desktop machine syncs to Outlook every 10 min. It's set so that
> only that machine can sync to Outlook. A copy of the .ml file is on
> each machine, and they're connected w/ Windows Live Mesh. I've used
> MLO on both machines now with no trouble. Backup files can't be synced
> with Live Mesh (it won't touch .bak files) but . . . not sure I care.
>
> The real test might well come when I'm offline somewhere with the
> laptop.
>
> Gordon
>
> On Jun 3, 12:34 pm, XO Online  wrote:
>
>
>
> > Interesting concept.
>
> > On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 8:08 AM,  wrote:
> > > Gladinet's Cloud Desktop- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
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[MLO] Re: Multiple Instances How to?

[Mark Levison]

On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 6:56 PM, Richard Collings wrote:

>
> I don't think it allows you to open the same file more than once - I am
> still on a much older version when you open a second copy of MLO and then
> try and open the .ml file that you have open in the first instance, the
> focus just switches to the first instance.
>
> This has been a much requested feature and as fast as I am aware Andrey has
> not responded to previous request - which I normally take to be a 'No'.
>
> Whether the recent changes make this facility easier to implement or not, I
> don't know.
>
> If it was implemented,  then I would upgrade in a flash - as I find the
> current methods available for moving tasks around in the hierarchy just
> don't work for me.  I frequently find myself wanting to work though a list
> of tasks, moving them to different locations and then doing various things
> to them there once I can see them in context.
>
> There are two options:
> *  drag and drop is very slow and you lose your place in the original list
> *  Ctrl + M which allows you to move stuff a bit more quickly without
> losing
> your place - but you have not control over where the item goes when you
> drop
> it on a task/folder - it always gets added at the end of the list and you
> can't make any adjustments to it once it is in its new home.
>
> If MLO allowed you to open the same file twice and allowed drag and drop
> between the windows, then I would upgrade in flash.


Yes but since applications open files as a monolithic entity you would have
the problem that the last writer wins. Do you really want multiple instances
of the application? Or multiple views of the same data in memory? The
difference while seeming subtle is vast.

If I understand what you're saying you need a way to see the two different
parts of the tree at once and move data between them? Is that right/

Cheers
Mark

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[MLO] Re: Multiple Instances How to?

[Richard Collings]

I don't think it allows you to open the same file more than once - I am
still on a much older version when you open a second copy of MLO and then
try and open the .ml file that you have open in the first instance, the
focus just switches to the first instance.

This has been a much requested feature and as fast as I am aware Andrey has
not responded to previous request - which I normally take to be a 'No'.

Whether the recent changes make this facility easier to implement or not, I
don't know.

If it was implemented,  then I would upgrade in a flash - as I find the
current methods available for moving tasks around in the hierarchy just
don't work for me.  I frequently find myself wanting to work though a list
of tasks, moving them to different locations and then doing various things
to them there once I can see them in context.   

There are two options:
*  drag and drop is very slow and you lose your place in the original list
*  Ctrl + M which allows you to move stuff a bit more quickly without losing
your place - but you have not control over where the item goes when you drop
it on a task/folder - it always gets added at the end of the list and you
can't make any adjustments to it once it is in its new home.

If MLO allowed you to open the same file twice and allowed drag and drop
between the windows, then I would upgrade in flash.

Richard


> -Original Message-
> From: myLifeOrganized@googlegroups.com 
> [mailto:mylifeorgani...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alexis
> Sent: 10 June 2009 1:32 p
> To: MyLifeOrganized
> Subject: [MLO] Multiple Instances How to?
> 
> 
> 
> It would be nice to have multiple instances of MLO regarding 
> the same .ml file. So one could see 2 different views and 
> maybe drag & drop between them. There is an "Allow Multiple 
> Instances" - option to check in the options/behaviour menu. 
> But how does it work?
> 
> Thank you.
> Alexandra
> > 
> 



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[MLO] Re: Pls advise if it is worth upgrading to MLO PC and pocket PC 3.0 from 2.0?

[Nick Clark]

I would say it depends! 
The main advantages I've found are: 
the addition of the folder structure, so that your organising structure doesn't 
have to be based on tasks.
The option to changes the font, which makes the system _much_ better on a VGA 
screen, and probably on a qVGA screen too. It's much more pleasant to use as 
you can see more.

So is it worth the price - for me Yes.

Nick 

-Original Message-
From: Chris 
Sent: 10 June 2009 17:33
To: MyLifeOrganized 
Subject: [MLO] Pls advise if it is worth upgrading to MLO PC and pocket PC 3.0 
from  2.0?


Hi,

Love mlo - use mainly on WM5 device, and a little organizing with the
desktop.

Only use for lists though and organizing these within the branch
system.  Has the pocket pc version got enough improvements to justify
£30 upgrade??

TIA

Chris





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[MLO] Re: MLO 3.0 What are you doing different?

[Mark Levison]

Thanks to Jon and BOC - these are very interesting and are inspiring me to
play around with all the new features.

On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM, s2sailor  wrote:

>
> Ok, here are some of the things that I've done differently with MLO
> 3.0:
>
> - I use a red flag for todo today
> - I have a custom theme set up with different fonts, formatting and
> colors to visually help me organize things better


Could you describe or share that theme with us?

Cheers
Mark

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[MLO] Discussion on mlo-for-blackberry

[Gourami]

Is there any intention to add blackberry support for mlo? This is
better than the software I use at the moment on the blackberry but...
the bb support is a prerequisite for me to swap back to mlo

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[MLO] Re: No folders in seachresults

[Vanav]

I don't agree. Search keywords may be only in folder name, not in a
task name. So search should be able to find folders too.

On Jun 10, 8:14 am, "jaydog@googlemail.com"
 wrote:
> Hello Andrey,
>
> I like the new folderfeature very much. It gives you more
> opportunities to organized your outline.
> But it would be more usefull if these folderelement would not be part
> of the searching results (or could be excluded with a checkbox)
> because they are pure organisational units. Folders are not relevant
> for tasksearches.
>
> Greets
> Jaydog

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[MLO] Re: MLO 3.0 What are you doing different?

[s2sailor]

Ok, here are some of the things that I've done differently with MLO
3.0:

- I use a red flag for todo today
- I have a custom theme set up with different fonts, formatting and
colors to visually help me organize things better
- I've set up auto formatting rules for on hold and waiting for and
then have assigned a custom icon for each.  In my job I track many
small projects.  This provides me with a quick way to see which items
that I am waiting on or have on hold for a reason.  The reason is
documented in the notes section
- I use folders as a collection device.  To me, this small change
starts to move MLO from just a task manager into a project manager
tool.  To take this one step further, in addition to a checkbox and
folder, I would like to see a third option, a bullet.  This would
allow me to define lists or enter items within a folder that are not
tasks.  I currently use a folder and put the details in notes, but I
think this addition would move the program further into the project
manager tool realm.

Items that I think would further enhance the tool (most mentioned in
other posts):

- add an attachments tab for URLs and file links - a separate tab with
a unique icon when there is an attachment associated with a task would
be more helpful
- have a todo view that would allow us to manually rearrange the tasks
- have a way to directly enter a task into MLO from a cellphone (by
speaking).  On the drive home, I frequently remember things I need to
do and need a hands free entry method.  What I do now is use Dial2Do
and Evernote.  I have Dial2Do setup so when I call, I speak the task
needed and hang up and it automatically shows up in my Evernote
account.  I then manually move it into MLO.  This is my single most
desired feature.  An Iphone client to enable manual entry and task
viewing is a close second.
- the GPS location notification idea mentioned earlier would be very
cool.  I can't count the number of times I've driven by a hardware
store and realized after I was home and back on MLO that I had items I
could have stopped and picked up.

I have neglected to provide feedback to the development team, but
simply put, I could not perform my current job without MLO.  I use it
and rely on it constantly throughout the day.  For me, it is one of
the KEY tools that I need to do my job and organize my life.  Evernote
is the other.

Thanks,
John

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[MLO] Pls advise if it is worth upgrading to MLO PC and pocket PC 3.0 from 2.0?

[Chris]

Hi,

Love mlo - use mainly on WM5 device, and a little organizing with the
desktop.

Only use for lists though and organizing these within the branch
system.  Has the pocket pc version got enough improvements to justify
£30 upgrade??

TIA

Chris
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[MLO] Re: No folders in seachresults

[s2sailor]

I frequently search on folders only.  I occasionally want to review
the whole group and not just a specific task.  If this is implemented,
please make it checkbox selectable.

John
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[MLO] Multiple Instances How to?

[Alexis]

It would be nice to have multiple instances of MLO regarding the
same .ml file. So one could see 2 different views and maybe drag &
drop between them. There is an "Allow Multiple Instances" - option to
check in the options/behaviour menu. But how does it work?

Thank you.
Alexandra
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[MLO] Graphics Bug

[Alexis]

If you do Custom Formatting of an task it does not affect the whole
line (row) of the task if the order of the columns has been changed in
the To-Do list. If you drag the icons to the left of the tasks caption
you see
what i mean. Same for the name of the groups.

Formatting start in the middle of the list which looks kind of
strange.

Alexandra
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