Simple systems

My Palm based system has become so simple that it hardly rates a blog any more. I use the built in datebook and the built in todo list for most stuff. Projects still go in memos and I move items into the other two apps as needed. I'm using pedit but really could do this using the built in app. The only other thing I'm really using is manana (and I can't get the keyboard to give me the ~ over the n right now.) I'm using that because I can switch over in jpilot to view that database in the regular todo tab. Same thing with pedit's p32db. I've experimented a bit with big text files and dumping the results into jpilot but I really don't think I need it. It's likely that I'll give up on MobileNote at some point. Since I started using jpilot, I really don't need a lot more.

I've also been getting more out of Accounts and Loans. One of the reasons I really like that program is that it dumps info into memos, so you don't need a separate conduit. I can dump the entire registry into a memo as a comma delimited file. Now that I finally have a spreadsheet program, in Open Office, I just do my finances there. It gives me a way to check ANL and make sure I haven't put in a duplicate. Had some problems this month as it showed that I didn't have much left in the account. But the bank showed plenty. Finally figured out that I'd forgotten to enter the deposit for Jeffrey's paycheck. Went ahead and paid a few more bills. I like doing my finances in my Palm more than anything else. I can tell exactly where I stand.

When Getting Things Done is hard work

I've had a project on my list for over a year and a half. It really doesn't sound like much of a project--just three items. The first is "Research how to recycle Macs". The second item is "Call to find out times for Mac recycling". The last item is "Take Macs to recyclers". The project is to clear out the last of my Mac recycling stuff. I took in a bunch of old Macs to rebuild and hand out to folks. And I did find homes for some of it. I was left with a lot of stuff that I couldn't find homes for, taking up a lot of my upstairs space. When you live in an 880 sq ft house, you need that space!

I thought about loading up the pickup, taking a day and just moving all the stuff downstairs and taking it in a single trip. Jeffrey was a bit reluctant. He doesn't handle these stairs well, having hurt his shoulder when he slipped on them a few years ago. And the truck gets poor mileage. He suggested that I take them in the car, even if it took a few trips. That sounded like a good idea. Somehow I couldn't get myself to give up a weekend day to load the car up, then drive out on a Monday to the recyclers. I could not make any progress and the item stayed on my list, month after month.

I had an idea this last week. I have vacation time coming that I need to use up. The weather has stayed fairly clear. I tried to take two days off mid-week but got turned down. When I talked it over with workforce, they suggested I take this Monday and Tuesday off. Perfect--a four day weekend! And I could still have my weekend time free. I had a number of other things planned for the time off, things that had also been hanging around on my lists.

So, I started to tackle things yesterday. Since I'm still on my regular hours, and since the recyclers is closed during lunch time, I got off to a late start. I loaded the car to the gills and headed cross town. That makes it sound so easy, as you don't get the full flavor of lugging each monitor, each computer, each printer, down those stairs and out to the car. By the time I hit the recyclers, it was too late to do a second load. I had lots of great ideas--load the car again when I got home or first thing Tuesday morning. None of that happened as I ran into some major unpleasantness getting my hair cut and the rest of the day was gone.

I tackled the job again today. Loaded up the second load, also from upstairs. It included two ancient laser printers, very heavy. This time, I managed to make pretty good time and got there as they opened up after lunch. It seemed like I might have time for a second load after all. I was pretty confident that I could do it. Jeffrey and I discussed leaving the stuff I had stored under the house, as it really wasn't in the way.So I came back for the last load, about 7 all in ones that were thankfully downstairs. I got them loaded quickly enough that I had time to dig out the Macs stored in the basement. Managed to convince myself to take in the last OS 6 machine too. Got there in plenty of time. At long last, the task is done. I feel like someone should throw a party for me.

I could have tackled a lot of easier, less important jobs. I could have checked off a lot more items. When you finally get that one hard, draining task done, it's worth a dozen of the easy ones. Figure out what it would take to make that happen.

More tools

I'm still getting a feel for Linux programs. I've found a good website editor, Screem. And I like The Gimp. It has some nice filters that even a novice can figure out. I'm starting to remember those old obscure commands. I still run across things I haven't figured out, like why I can't get the REM command to work for Remind. I'll figure it all out eventually.

Mostly, I try to use the tools I've installed, instead of looking for new software. There are a couple of programs I'd like to try for GTD. Then I compare them with j-pilot and manage to restrain myself. It really does work well. I'm not using the p32 database in pedit right now, but it's nice to be able to sync with it if I want to. I may break down and try Splash Money again. I don't care for it, but I don't have a way to read ANL databases any more. It would be nice to be able to export to .csv and use the spreadsheet in Open Office. I've looked at GNUCash and Grisbi and they're just not what I want. So I'll keep looking at financial software.

I'm happy enough with all this that I'm starting to think about getting a ThinkPad to use it all on. I like ThinkPads and they are pretty cheap on Ebay right now. I should be able to install Ubuntu on one easily. Mac hardware is nice, but when you are on the trailing edge, the higher price hurts. I completely forget what kind of computer I'm working on when I use Linux.

Plain vanilla

I'm finally moving towards a plain vanilla system. I'm using j-pilot now and it seems to lend itself towards that. I am thinking hard about the amount of linking and formatting that I am doing right now. I'd like to pare it down a bit. I'm also trying to use templates more in Memoleaf. I just haven't figured out the best way to structure raw data. I'm going to be looking over my system and see where I can make changes. My index card tickler file seems to be the best way to do things at work. I'd like to work a bit more from the computer at home. I've kicked around a few ideas. I don't mind spending time to think about my system. Usually I come up with some good ideas and can streamline it a bit.