The Getting Things Done (GTD) method of organizing tasks is a favorite among productivity seekers, and many apps support it. Firetask might be simple, but it still manages to fit in the core elements of GTD.
GTD works by following a simple three-stage approach to managing tasks: collect, organize, and review. Firetask mirrors this approach nicely, with an inbox for collecting items, a Focus section for putting them into projects, and a Review section to scheduling those tasks on a calendar. The interface is simple, making the whole process very quick and painless--after all, spending long chunks of the day tinkering with a GTD app isn’t quite as productive as actually doing your work.
See your next actions, with everything in your inbox, and drag tasks between due dates.
Firetask 2 uses the concept of tagging. As you type out your task, you can add details to it without having to tab to other fields, simply by using tags. For example, if you want to create a task called “Book a flight” with a due date of Monday to a project called Vacation, simply typing “Book flights #Vacation #Monday” will create the task. Although fast, we found this a little tricky: in particular, if Firetask doesn’t understand some of the criteria, you won’t see an error. So, for example, if you haven’t already created a project called Vacation, the app won’t warn you that your tag wasn’t added.
Importantly, the app now includes the ability to sync tasks across many devices. The only real downside is the lack of filtering. In the Today section, for example, you can’t filter all the projects in a category called Work--you have to go to the Categories section. Although this makes the app easier to understand, it means it lacks a little flexibility.
The bottom line. Whether you’re getting started with GTD or already on the wagon, Firetask makes quick work of keeping up with your to-do list. And there’s even a free trial to see if the app fits your workflow.
Mac OS 10.6 or later
Simple implementation of GTD. Tagging makes task entry faster. Syncs with iOS devices. Free trial.
Lacks flexibility in filtering.
sgallant04
May 12, 2012 at 4:03am
Hi I read the review of Firetask in Maclife mag. I highly regard good reviews in maclife. I did give Firetask a go in trial mode and while I'm new to GDT I found the software visually lush, but lacking basic UI control elements of being on the Mac. In comparison I also tried both OMNI task & things. Little oddities in fire task like no command-delete to delete….seriously? NO delete hotkey? only w/ mouse action and not even standard hotkey mapping? Also only search from the app, not integration w/ universal system wide search via Spotlight? … I DID LOVE LOVE LOVE the auto #tagging, but that feature alone just couldn't bring me the rest of the way when I can't delete w/ the standard keys and use spotlight to find tasks, especially at a price so close to Things which does support all those elements.
I was hoping to find in Firetask tagging features the todo(s) functional equivalent to Fantastical auto recognition to calendar entry. For the moment I'll buy a license to Things for todo's and I'll keep on eye on Firetask Mac development.
