Comments on: Organization, economies of scale, and a bit of Autodo http://www.nnyman.com/personal/2007/01/26/organization-economies-of-scale-and-a-bit-of-autodo/ Niko Nyman's blog on shifting topics. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:09:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Niko http://www.nnyman.com/personal/2007/01/26/organization-economies-of-scale-and-a-bit-of-autodo/comment-page-1/#comment-17690 Niko Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:52:42 +0000 http://www.nnyman.com/personal/2007/01/26/organization-economies-of-scale-and-a-bit-of-autodo/#comment-17690 <p>Something like that is destined for version 4.2alpha of Autodo. ;) I said the todo list would show only a limited number of todos at any given time. The limit could be "tasks that can be done today", and I've dreamed to lay the tasks out on a daily calendar layout. So you're basically asking for the same thing, but also with a week view and maybe a month view, too. ;)</p> Something like that is destined for version 4.2alpha of Autodo. ;) I said the todo list would show only a limited number of todos at any given time. The limit could be “tasks that can be done today”, and I’ve dreamed to lay the tasks out on a daily calendar layout. So you’re basically asking for the same thing, but also with a week view and maybe a month view, too. ;)

]]> By: Henkka http://www.nnyman.com/personal/2007/01/26/organization-economies-of-scale-and-a-bit-of-autodo/comment-page-1/#comment-17673 Henkka Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:29:55 +0000 http://www.nnyman.com/personal/2007/01/26/organization-economies-of-scale-and-a-bit-of-autodo/#comment-17673 <p>Some wishes for the Autodo which sounds like a nice idea - or a totally different approach for consideration.</p> <p>I've also been toying with an idea of an automated personal resource/todo list/calendar. I'll try to explain the thoughts so far.</p> <p>Usually I know when a certain task needs to be done and how much time it needs to be completed.</p> <p>Currently I'm using (or trying to use) the Outlook calendar to accomplish my resourcing and todos, but I don't use the todo list. When a project starts at work, I divide the different project tasks to several chunks (2h-3/4 day) which I place in the calendar before the deadline.I also try to place all other small todo items with a 15-30 min slot to the calendar. So far so good.</p> <p>But everything changes - as usual - so it would be very nice if the calendar could reorganize itself according to the changed parameters - be it a chaged deadline or new tasks that are more urgent than the older ones.</p> <p>The benefits for using my calendar as the todo list for larger tasks is that I get visual feedback how big certain tasks are and not just their priority. And when you look at the calendar in week view, it usually is quite comprehendable.</p> <p>So, what I would like to have to enhance my current system:</p> <ol> <li><p>Adding a task: I input the task, estimated time for it and the deadline. -> The program divides the allocated time on my calendar into suitable chunks, depending on the task size - and possibly reorganizes my previous markings so that all different tasks are in large enough chunks that you get the flow going when you start to do something. All little tasks could get their own day, or then be spread evenly for mornings or according to my preferences.</p></li> <li><p>Well, if something changes it does the same thing as in the first step. Sounds quite simple.</p></li> <li><p>I also need a way to mark certain elements in my calendar "fixed" so the system knows that these can't be moved (e.g. client meetings).</p></li> </ol> <p>In other words, I need and an autofiller and defragmenter for my calendar :) Or an Automated Tetris Calendar.</p> <p>Phew, I hope you'll get my idea. This probably goes a bit beyond of what a todo list usually does, but I guess you can always make wishes ;)</p> Some wishes for the Autodo which sounds like a nice idea - or a totally different approach for consideration.

I’ve also been toying with an idea of an automated personal resource/todo list/calendar. I’ll try to explain the thoughts so far.

Usually I know when a certain task needs to be done and how much time it needs to be completed.

Currently I’m using (or trying to use) the Outlook calendar to accomplish my resourcing and todos, but I don’t use the todo list. When a project starts at work, I divide the different project tasks to several chunks (2h-3/4 day) which I place in the calendar before the deadline.I also try to place all other small todo items with a 15-30 min slot to the calendar. So far so good.

But everything changes - as usual - so it would be very nice if the calendar could reorganize itself according to the changed parameters - be it a chaged deadline or new tasks that are more urgent than the older ones.

The benefits for using my calendar as the todo list for larger tasks is that I get visual feedback how big certain tasks are and not just their priority. And when you look at the calendar in week view, it usually is quite comprehendable.

So, what I would like to have to enhance my current system:

  1. Adding a task: I input the task, estimated time for it and the deadline. -> The program divides the allocated time on my calendar into suitable chunks, depending on the task size - and possibly reorganizes my previous markings so that all different tasks are in large enough chunks that you get the flow going when you start to do something. All little tasks could get their own day, or then be spread evenly for mornings or according to my preferences.

  2. Well, if something changes it does the same thing as in the first step. Sounds quite simple.

  3. I also need a way to mark certain elements in my calendar “fixed” so the system knows that these can’t be moved (e.g. client meetings).

In other words, I need and an autofiller and defragmenter for my calendar :) Or an Automated Tetris Calendar.

Phew, I hope you’ll get my idea. This probably goes a bit beyond of what a todo list usually does, but I guess you can always make wishes ;)

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