Text Simple Planner, Managing Tasks With Text Files
No fancy apps, plain and simple, just a text based planner.
This post is for those that love the utter simplicity and flexibility of text linked_files (.txt), the following are some advantages you might have heard of :
-
You can open text linked_files literally anywhere (your phone, your tablet, your desktop computer …etc) and they are supported by every operating system I know of (talk about cross-platform).
-
You don’t need any special software to open text-linked_files (no calendar, planning apps …etc. none of that nonsense), hell you can even use a browser (not that you would particularly want to do that).
-
Completely open format.
-
No vendor lock-in. (thanks to bullet points 1, 2 and 3) This is extremely important: i.e. do you want to be forced to purchase a copy of your favorite planning software just to be able to open your notes? or do you want to be monitored 24x7 to be served with “better ads”? better ads, for who? Nah. (Here is more info on the benefits of open formats/technology
-
Dead simple interface. What you see is what you get, and it ain’t pretty, no fancy colors or multiple fonts or … you get the point. I personally don’t care too much about these except when you have to send it to other people and they complain (so you have to put a nice ribbon around it).
So a while ago (a couple of years ago) I started to use text linked_files to handle my day to day planning, it was a bit rough at the beginning but over the years the system has evolved and has gotten more efficient, to the point where it might actually be useful to others (though nowhere as developed as Todo.txt or other applications).
Here is the default directory setup with folders and text linked_files, plus spreadsheet and drawing linked_files (I know, I know, I cheated but sometimes these are useful for formulas, tables, block diagrams …etc, plus they are open tools):
and here is my personal setup in use (note that I keep a reference of old linked_files simply by appending a date at the end, current linked_files are undated):
notes_templates
├── ideas_projects
│ └── ideas_projects.txt
├── inkpad
│ └── inkpad.xoj
├── license
├── quotes
│ └── quotes.txt
├── readme.md
├── spreadsheet
│ └── spreadsheet.ods
├── textpad
│ └── textpad.txt
└── todo
├── calendar_todo.txt
├── pending_todo.txt
└── recurrent_todo.txt
And I just keep a simple text editor open to edit the linked_files directly (I am using Geany).
Finally here is a brief snippet illustrating how each one of these text linked_files looks like (I loosely use Markdown for the syntax, just for aesthetics) and how I use them in my real day to day planning (If you haven’t done so, go on and download the template setup from my Github account, otherwise the next paragraphs might not make much sense, you have been warned, hey).
camilo_ideas_projects.txt
**********************
# Ideas and Projects #
**********************
***********************
## Quick Guidelines. ##
***********************
Only project ideas and ongoing projects should be here,
the rest should be moved out and stored in our textpad
for reference.
**********************
## Current Projects ##
**********************
----
### Assorted book summaries (part-time).
----
Ongoing transcription of book summaries from finished
common books.
[...]
*********************
## Future Projects ##
*********************
----
### Search Notes Script - Add support for ODF formats.
----
It can search in all text linked_files as well as open
spreadsheets and other open office documents.
[...]
camilo_quotes.txt
**********
# Quotes #
----------
## 2016 ##
**********
Perfection is impossible. Improvement is our goal.
Listen attentively and ask questions. Always give
others the benefit of doubt.
Have a general intuitive understanding of physics,
and a deep understanding of a single specific area
of research.
While proprietary technology will probably continue
to be our standard for product development, our
efforts to grow open technology as a viable
alternative will plant the seed that will inspire
future generations to bring about change.
[...]
camilo_textpad.txt
************
# Textpad #
-----------
## 2016 #
***********
----
### C and C++, a couple of notes.
----
C is designed to model how the hardware processes the
information (forcing the programmer to understand the
hardware details) C++ is designed to model how the
programmer/user thinks when designing complex
applications (while still allowing those
interested/curious to peak under the hood.)
#### Practical usage.
[...]
----
### KiCad Libraries
----
It's actually not bad, KiCad actually has more
flexibility than any other CAD software package
(don't all open source programs always do :)). You
just have to keep in mind what official libraries
are (in Altium, KiCad, Eagle or any other PCB Cad
package) and what they will always be: a starting
point. Never a personal manufacturing-ready library.
You can always use the official libraries as a
starting point (and having good official libraries
- github is a great move in this direction -
streamlines the process because you can copy and
paste good components) but you should always make
sure you build your own personal libraries with
only the components you need.
[...]
camilo_calendar_todo.txt
******************
# Calendar Todo #
-----------------
## 2016 ##
******************
[...]
----------------------
### Wed 03/16/2016 ###
----------------------
* Transcribe your quotes
Took a while, let's clear them more often.
> Done.
* See if we can finish the notes templates blog post
Lots of info, will take a while...
> Done.
[...]
----------------------
### Thu 03/17/2016 ###
----------------------
* Solidify cat RCL spreadsheet for KiCad.
Based on IPC standards.
camilo_pending_todo.txt
*****************
# Pending Todo #
*****************
[...]
-------------------------
### Unscheduled Tasks ###
-------------------------
* Fix music mp3 tags.
* Do taxes.
[...]
camilo_recurrent_todo.txt
******************
# Recurrent Todo #
******************
--------------------
### Monthly Todo ###
--------------------
* Unison Synchronization of all devices.
* Transcribe your personal quotes.
[...]
------------------
### Daily Todo ###
------------------
* Work on book summary.
* Learn about KiCad (tasks in order).
* Practice accordion.
[...]
--------------------
### Sundays Todo ###
--------------------
* Do Laundry.
* Clean/organize Room.
[...]
As an added bonus, I also have been working on a couple of scripts to help me manipulate these text linked_files (e.g. find text, create new annual calendar …etc).
Let me know what y’all think, hope it helps some lost soul somewhere out there.
enjoy and share with others :)
Leave your comments below (or comment directly here).
Thank you for your feedback.