Useful internet software, websites and blogsites.: Tracks - An Advanced “Getting Things Done” Application

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Tracks - An Advanced “Getting Things Done” Application

via MakeUseOf.com by T.J. Mininday on 3/11/09

Whether you are in school, college or becoming an adult and enjoying the family life, everyone is busy. With technology taking over our world, it's making us even busier. Having open contact with email, phone and several social networking sites, communication is easier than ever which has made life even more hectic.

Along with this same technology however, comes many many ways to keep track of what you're doing and everything else organized as well. Online to-do lists, tasks and several different versions of online calendars has taken the pain off somewhat.

Tracks is not just another version of my aforementioned examples, it adds some very nice functionality and is much more advanced than anything I've seen previously. Open source and running on Ruby on Rails, it includes its own web server for use on any Windows, Linux or Mac PC. Below are some highlights.

You can create several different categories and create your own set of tasks for each. In the screenshot below, you can see that this example includes Office, Email, Errand and Internet. Each with their own set of tasks, which are then displayed in a completed section at the bottom. Re-organization and customization has limitless possibilities as well.

Along with a simple tasks view, you also have project sections that may include their own set of tasks along with them. One ongoing project that almost all of us experience, is maintaining our car, like the example below shows us.

Adding tasks to each category or project can't be any simpler. On the right hand size of each page, you'll see a simple Ajax add column, for quick and easy entry. All entries allow you to add the context of each task, project (if applicable), tags and of course due dates. After a task is entered, due dates change color as they come closer and closer to their specified expiration.

Monitor your progress in nice and clean charts. See how well you are keeping yourself consistent and motivated.

Want continuous updates sent to your RSS reader of choice? There are plenty of options for that as well.

Want to keep other members of your family on task? The application is also built for multiple users. Each user will have their own set of projects, contexts and due tasks.

Since Tracks includes a web server, it's also important to note that you can access your information from any compatible web browser. The proper ports would need to be opened on your firewall, but it is very simple to do, and makes Tracks even more useful.

As I said before, keeping on task these days can be a daunting task. There is way to much to do, to see and to accomplish in our daily lives. In the old days, an appointment book accomplished most of this. Using pen and paper however is becoming a thing of the past and something like Tracks takes care of all that, and much much more.

What are some of your favorite "To Do" or task tracking sites? Do you see any benefit of Tracks over other similar products?

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