I, like most people, have multiple projects going on at any given time and keeping things straight between them all is an organizational challenge. Most of my career was in project management in the corporate environment, and I'm well familiar with the concepts and MS project and such. These days life is a bit simpler (sort of) and I'm looking for a simple way to manage the various bits of information.
One of my great frustrations in this regard is that I have bits of project information floating around all over the place. Post-it notes on the computer monitor, spiral notebooks, 3x5 notebook I carry in my shirt pocket, ms word documents on one of the three different PC's, voice memos on my android, etc.
What I would like is to have a simple task list program of some sort that can be installed locally on the three PC's and my android phone. And then have the data stored on the cloud I suppose, so that it is always updated regardless of which PC or phone I use to access the data.
One simple example would be a purchase/research list of things to buy when at Home Depot. I am in HD frequently because of some of the projects I'm working on, and inevitably my list of things to pick-up or research when at HD is on the white-board in my shop. The white-board is just a bit too big for my pocket though. So I'd like to be able to access said list while in HD from my phone. Similarly, I may think of something I want to add to the list while working from one of the three PC's. I really dislike 'typing' on the android 'keyboard' so I try to do as much entry from the computers as possible. Sometimes I'll record a voice memo on the android then put it on the list when back at the computer.
I was doing some searching on this subject and came across drop-box which if I understand is an application that facilitates storing 'things' on the cloud? It provides a limited amount of free storage space with any extra costing X dollars. I understand that one can use the cloud for their calendar, contact list, emails, etc but at this time I'd like to just get started with said task or to-do lists.
So I guess I need a task-list app from Google Play as one component of the system? Can this app be installed on the three PC's and the phone? Any suggestions for such an app?
And the second component is drop-box. Is drop-box an app that is located on the PC's and the phone or is it located in the cloud?
And the second component is drop-box. Is drop-box an app that is located on the PC's and the phone or is it located in the cloud?
Dropbox is one of my favorite services. In the most basic terms, it allows you to drag and drop any file into a Dropbox folder on your computer or mobile device, a "copy" of which is then auto. uploaded to Dropbox's secure servers. You always have a local copy of your files on your computer, so don't need a net connection to retrieve them. It also auto. syncs and backs up any files in your Dropbox folders. Files placed in the "Private" folder are uploaded via an SSL secure connection, and encrypted on Dropbox servers. The "Public" folder allows you to share any file by right-clicking to get the URL address. You can even host a website in Dropbox's Public folder, which is also great for testing purposes simply by dragging and dropping web files or folders into the Public folder.
Its strongest feature is that all your computers or mobile devices that have Dropbox installed can share and sync. the same content. Any additions or changes to one Dropbox device, is reflected in all.
You get 2G of FREE Dropbox storage by default for a new account, but can get additional free storage by using a referral link such as this for an additional 250MB Free storage. You can get this link from anyone who currently has an active Dropbox account. Make sure to install the Dropbox app on all computers you want to share and sync your files.
Plus, you can also get an extra 500MB of Free storage by installing the Dropbox Android or iPhone/iPad app, and enabling "Photo" uploading. This is a very handy feature in that it will auto. upload all photos and videos on your mobile device to Dropbox. This way, you will have copies of your mobile photos/videos on any computer that has the Dropbox app, without having to transfer them manually. But you're not limited to just media files. You can easily transfer any type of file from your computer to your mobile device, or vice versa, by a net connection automatically. The Dropbox mobile app also gives you the option to upload files using only WiFi, to avoid using your mobile data.
Following the above will give you a total of 2.75G of Free Dropbox storage to get you started.
I'm not too much of a computer geek. But Dropbox is the easiest app to use. Create a Dropbox directory in every computer you want the information to share with and Dropbox on every smartphone you want that info to share and the files you put into Dropbox at any location is instantly (almost) shared on those computers and smartphones.
I scan anything of any potential of importance and I have access to it on my smartphone.
I share my kids computers and mine on my smartphone. Important mail can be scanned by my kids and I have access to it right away on my computer or smartphone.
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Wrace - There are a number of systems like what you describe. I personally use gmail and they have task lists that are part of their calendar that stays on the cloud. On my individual PC I have a gadget that is part of google desktop search that has a to do list and a notes. This stays on the computer.
I have heard of drop box, but use the MicroSoft free skydrive system that automatically backs out the documents I have specified on my PC. Apple has Icloud. You can put your Apple-centric stuff on that for free. And lately Verizon also offers cloud storage for free.
I find the google applications very solid reliable ones and intend to keep using them. They do not have an auto back up ap like dropbox or MicroSoft at this time though. They have google docs, but that is a bit different.
Evernote is probably the most popular PC/Smartphone app for task management and there is an Android app for it. There are other similar task apps as well that work with PC and Android. Put it on all three PCs and your phone. Dropbox also - as stated - works well - and any file you create and put in your Dropbox folder on one PC will sync with the Dropbox folder on any other PC or device it is running on- plus you can access it by internet on a non-connected computer or device. With this you could even list tasks in Notepad and have them show up on all of your devices. Dropbox data is stored locally (on at least one or more PC and/or phone) and the files are also stored on Dropbox in the cloud.
As others have mentioned, Evernote is awesome and can do a lot. For just plain dead-simple list management you might want something "thinner" like Wunderlist or even OurGroceries or Remember the Milk. I use Our Groceries to keep different lists of things to get at different places so I have one for Auto, Lowes/Home Depot, Groceries, and Camper. That way when something comes up I add it to the appropriate list so I don't forget. Evernote can do that as well, but to me it's not as clean/simple in Evernote (I'm a "check it off the list" kind of guy and the Android version of Evernote doesn't do checklists that easily. I use Evernote for pretty much everything else (serial & model numbers, sizes of things, account numbers, misc addresses that I want to have but not as a contact, etc.)
DropBox also has a Photo folder.
When you drag and drop pictures into it a photo album is automatically created. You can have various folders within the Photo folder.
You do a right click on that folder to copy the link then mail it to your friends.
You may want to try ChecklistPro (it's in the Android Market). It integrates with Dropbox. You can edit checklists on your PC (using comma delimited files and any spreadsheet program). You can download checklists from the web or make your own. You can take your checklists anywhere on your phone.
Dropbox is one of my favorite services. In the most basic terms, it allows you to drag and drop any file into a Dropbox folder on your computer or mobile device, a "copy" of which is then auto. uploaded to Dropbox's secure servers. You always have a local copy of your files on your computer, so don't need a net connection to retrieve them. It also auto. syncs and backs up any files in your Dropbox folders. Files placed in the "Private" folder are uploaded via an SSL secure connection, and encrypted on Dropbox servers. The "Public" folder allows you to share any file by right-clicking to get the URL address. You can even host a website in Dropbox's Public folder, which is also great for testing purposes simply by dragging and dropping web files or folders into the Public folder.
Ok thanks for the links. I'm working on installation now and have a question. I've installed drop box on the pc's and the phone and I've read through the instructions (pdf). When I log into the dropbox site it shows a Public folder, a Photos folder, and the getting started pdf. There is no private folder? Do I have to create another folder and if so how do I ensure it is actually private?
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So I'd like to be able to access said list while in HD from my phone. Similarly, I may think of something I want to add to the list while working from one of the three PC's. I really dislike 'typing' on the android 'keyboard' so I try to do as much entry from the computers as possible. Sometimes I'll record a voice memo on the android then put it on the list when back at the computer.
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