Things Review and Giveaway
Us bloggers have a lot to do. We’re launching a new site, managing writers, writing articles and many other tasks. How do you keep track of all this activity? Way to many GTD apps have an immense amount of features that instead of helping you to be more productive, actually impede you of doing so. However, Things is NOT one such app.
The Sidebar
You’ll notice on the sidebar that you have Inbox, Today, Next, Scheduled, Someday, and Projects. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these do.
Inbox/Today
The “inbox” is for to-dos that you don’t know where to put . This is the place where you put items that either don’t have a due date yet or haven’t been assigned to a particular project. Personally, I haven’t used the inbox yet. The “today” tab is for to-dos that you want to accomplish… um… today. You’ll also notice that there will be a counter to the right of the word “today” to let you know how many to-dos you’ve committed to completing.
Next/Scheduled
The “Next” tab is for upcoming to-dos. These are tasks that you have to complete, but not today. You can have a number of to-dos in this tab and move them to “today” when you plan to work on them. The “scheduled” tab is also very useful. Here, you can schedule recurring or future to-dos. It’ll ask you when you’d like to move the task to the “today” tab so that you don’t have to worry about it til then.
Someday/Projects
The “someday” tab is pretty self explanitory: a task that you plan to complete… someday. Then, there’s the “projects” tab. This is one of my favorite tabs because as you can see in the picture, I’ve got some major projects going on. This tab allows you to create projects then assign tasks which will help you complete them.
Adding New To-Dos
Adding New To-Dos is a Breeze!
Adding new to-dos is exceptionally easy in “Things”. Use the keyboard shorcut control+spacebar to open this very nice modal window. Tags will auto populate as you write. You can also use the recent tags button to the right. This modal window will stay on top of all your other windows, just in case you’d like to add images or a URL.
The Grade
For me, the interface will either make me like or dislike an app. “Things” has a beautiful interface. Its smart use of icons makes it a pleasure to work in. The fact that I was able to explain its features in a couple of paragraphs makes it clear that “Things” will help you get things done; not distract you with its features. I love and wholeheartedly recommend “Things”.
Things (No pun intended) You Should Know
- Price: $49.95
- Runs on Mac OS 10.4.11 or later
- iPhone app available
Giveaway
The very kind people from Cultured Code are giving us two copies to give away. How do you win? Comment on this post to enter. This is NOT a random competition. We want your comment to explain why you want this app. “I want to win!” won’t work. If you make me laugh… your chances of winning are greater.
This contest will go til Thursday, October 15, 2009. Winners will be anounced and contacted on Friday, October 16, 2009. Please enter only once. My best to all of you!
Tim Smith is a music loving blogger and designer. He’s passionate about blogging and loves to share his thoughts and experiences for the benefit of others. Find out more on his personal site. Follow Tim on Twitter: @timothybsmith.
Wow, this is really awesome! It would totally come in handy for my Web Development and Design Major i’m starting next year.
I want this app because I can’t organize things so hopefully getting Things will organize me!
I should win because three’s a charm and I’m third to leave a comment.
Besides, I am soooo behind everything – laundry, returning books to the library, checkups, blog posts that it would be harmful to this planet if I wasn’t given a nice tool to finally make me do THINGS.
signed: Princess of Procrastination
I need something to help with the things of my life. Something that organizes things so I can find these things quickly and easily. I need something with an easy to understand interface so I don’t waste time trying to understand, when I could be doing my things. No application other than one called things should help organize my life’s tasks! I would love to organize my daily tasks in such a cute and simple application (thing) :)
my to do lists are always growing + include both things i need to do today + things i need to do sometime in the future. though i adore my post-its, i am tired of having to rewrite each of my lists when the short term goals are accomplished. this would be so wonderful!
I should win because I just finished my masters, am jobless, stinky (and getting stinkier!), and need a highly efficient piece of software to manage my extensive (and growing!) dirty pile of clothes and thoughts with memo’s a la “IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY DON’T PUT THOSE SOCKS ON AGAIN!”.
Please.
Sniff.
BAHA! I like the 5/5 fuel flames (or maybe it is a droplet of fuel?) Love it. Wait, there’s a competition? (shift to competitor mode)
I want to win! Why?
Because I am poor college student, wannabe blogger and work for demanding people :) I already am working on a “someday project”. What you may ask? I’ll give you a sneak peak…
I’m trying to make a bobble head comeback. Blogging is one of the best social networking/idea spreading tools of this generation and I feel that it is the best way to make a bobble head comeback possible. Please join me on my mission. This app would help organize all fundraisers, newsletters and blog announcements. Not to mention, help remind me when to do normal everyday tasks.
Since puns are really popular in this thread I’ll end with this…
Ultimately, the things I would do with Things is endless.
I’m just going to tell you one THING. I have tried many THINGS already and never really got used to anyTHING at all. There’s noTHING that really helps me put my THINGS together and I am always relying on someTHING made of paper, like post-its, to help me remember everyTHING.
I know I said more than one THING, but I really really want to win the THINGS app give away!!!
Thanks in advance!
=)
Since we live in a democracy (assuming we all do), I think ‘the people’ should have some influence on the outcome…
I vote for Gonzalo…. I can smell him from here ;)
@Megan
Heeeey!
Oh wait. That is me. Curses. I really need this piece of software!
I have like 9000 projects going on with 9000 things to do in 9000 different ways. I’d love an app that helps me actually get things done (read: launching) and allow me to dedicate my moleskines to drawing and writing, my grid dot notebooks for wireframing and designing UI elements as well as UX workflows and my whiteboard wall for making schematics so the people I work with stop normalizing everything into 9000 tables. I’ve tried triforcing, but it’s not powerful enough to get me to actually finish anything. Besides, if I end up liking it, I might bother management enough for them to bulk buy some Things to make people more productive and stuff…. Anyways, whatever your choice, may the force be with you…
∆
∆ ∆
DAMMIT!
PD: Also I want to win because I fill notebooks like mad to todo lists I end up losing. Go green and save trees by making me a winner! :D
I want Things because todo.txt is so 2004. It can’t handle all the intricate things I do like zombie killing, freestyle walking, remind me when to go push the annoying neighbors doorbell, or go visit Fuel Your Blogging. Things can help me accomplish all of those much better than my todo.txt files.
By the way, I love these app reviews, keep em coming.
Gonzalo,
Only looking out for your best interest and the loved ones around you :) hahha
Date: Oct 15, 2009
Tim Smith’s To Do List:
1. Read all comments.
2. Read Vilav’s comment.
3. Send an email announcing him as a winner.
Cheers
Vilav
ps. Since there are two Things to give away, I vote for Gonzalo to get a second copy (first one goes to me, as agreed). I mean, c’mon… this is biohazard. Sorry Vilav.
Phew! (checking off ‘remind them I should win’… seee? I was trying sooo hard to remember and actually do it that I forgot about the laundry, going to the post office and… hmmm what was #3 and #4? darn… anyone?)
I really need this app to help me organize my sharing of my favorite sites and blogs to my circle of influence and social currency stakeholders. I really need to stop wasting all those post-it note trees as they are becoming an endangered species. The rainforest will rebound if we stop cutting the damn post-it note trees in the Amazon, especially the Lime-Green and Orange ones.
Thanks for the opportunity! Here is my current ToDo List for everyday:
Things To-Do: !!High [Win Swag From Fuel Brand Network] #Work #Web #SuckingUp
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Blogging
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Apps
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Branding
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Creativity
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Interface
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Network TV
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Venture
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Coding
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Illustration
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Motionography
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Photography
Read and tweet best links from Fuel Your Writing
Check to see if Fuel Brand Network launched my new site idea http://www.fuelyoursuckinguptowinacontest.com :)
#Aloha
Things would help me out a lot, keeping my priorities organized and steps in order, especially when I start trying to create my own iPhone app later this year. I’ve been learning Cocoa Touch, and hope to start applying my knowledge soon, so Things would really save me from doing something silly like buying a whiteboard!
Haha, I also support Gonzalo! Help that blogger get organized so he’ll have time to take a shower for goodness sake! XD
Also, “lulz” for Kyle W. Freestyle walking sounds very tedious! ^_~
…I don’t know why my comments here keep using that picture. That isn’t really me. I use that picture on an RPG blog for my character, but… why is it getting posted HERE? O.o
They probably use Gravatar – “Globally Recognized Avatars”.
Great tool to add avatars to all your post by you or your guest. Makes site look clean and finished. Especially when the commenters have beautiful smiles like yourself :).
You can find more info here.
http://en.gravatar.com/
I highly recommend Gravatar as a way of keeping your social media branding of yourself/business consistent
#Aloha
To THINGs or not to THINGs… =D
One THING that’s a must is FUEL. I love your logo, sites and the incredible value you provide. Seriously, thank YOU!
Back to organization. I have yet to find a THINGs that can really organize me. I’m a bit like a whirling dervish with all that’s active in my life.
So. Maybe THINGs would be the THING that finally does this.
Ok, racing off to a meeting LATE because I don’t have a THING to organzie myself with!
Hurrah! Gathering all the faithful, marching to a whiff so powerful it has it’s own rhythm section! Who knew my lack of mental and physical hygiene could bolster my candidacy for web freebies? More reason to give me Things: I need to organise my troops, and bandy them around the Internet, like a web 2.0 Pied Piper of Hamelin, luring the online masses to march with corruption and decay!
Also, I need to remind myself to use less exclamation marks.
Cough.
YES GONZALO FOR THE WIN! haha
Great idea. I added your suggestion to my “THINGS to do TODAY” list.
I’m subscribed to the RSS. =)
Blog on,
Kate
This looks like a great app. I’d love to win a copy!
Best thing to do when getting a free Mac app: Gift it to Mac users because PCs still rocks!