Getting Thing Doners!

[RT Wolf]

I'm finding I have a lot of project support material that's digital, and regular folders doesn't really cut it for me anymore. I'm also hoping to move to an online thing because I'm between computers so often, if possible.

I've been thinking about scrapbooking programs, so if anyone's got any recommendations, I'd love to hear them.

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any tips for setting up a digital (preferably online, but not essential, I can carry it on a memory stick, for example) reference filing system. Or just tell me how do you do it?

Thanks!

[Ilya]

I'm using Outlook. I've found this solution on the Net. Google GTD+Outlook for details.
It involves a trick, that makes Outlook contacts to pose as projects and tasks as GTD next actions.
I've digitized my paper archive with a scanner and a photo camera. All my GTD system lives in a separate Outlook file, that i carry around on a memory card.
I also use PDA, to capture tasks and ideas, while on the go, but this is not essential, there are a lot of solutions that allow you to do that, you can send SMS, leave yourself a voicemail, write down things and then make a photo of it, etc.
Usually GTDers despise Outlook, but it does the job for me.
I've experimented with Gmail, and other services, but since I have several hundreds of projects and tasks, it is pretty hard for me to switch the systems. So I stay with Outlook for now.

[RT Wolf]

Thanks!

Yea, I've got two systems setup right now, too. When I'm browsing around and find something that may be relevant to soem project, theme, topic or person, I copy and paste that link into an email to myself and then use labels to mark it (I use Gmail). PDFs and such are in a simple a-z reference folder with a new folder for every piece of info and so forth. I was hoping that htere might be a better system out there.

Thanks again for your reply, Ilya. I'm glad your systems are working well for you.

[silicon toad2000]

have you thought about making an access database linking to each piece of material. That could be as advanced and full of features as your skill allows.

[SamBeaven]

One cool thing I've seen people do is work on index cards, scan them and upload them to Flickr - there you can use tags in the same way as RT Wolf does with Gmail.

A memory-stick based alternative could be something like TiddlyWiki - a reusable non-linear personal web notebook, which is incredibly flexible for this kind of stuff. Gmail might suit you better though.

[norbert]

I simply have a folder on my laptop.

If I needed an online solution, I'd probably use a wiki software and an FTP client/account for storing files.

Both in a flat structure (A-Z) of course, just like offline project support material.

[Smarky]

GDTiddyWiki, this is awesome !!!

You an upload it somewhere if you want to use it online or put it on a memory stick, even better!

You can set up different subjects, tasks or projects to be in the main menu and store different references on each page, I use this has kinda a digital filing cabinet for resources, thoughts and ideas, basically anything i might want to look or think about later, but it allows me to organize it in a way related to the subject or project. So i've i'm working on something I can go there and read all the ideas, thoughts and resources on that in one click, brilliant!

http://shared.snapgrid.com/