TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2011-02 > 1298564093


From: Rick Van Dusen <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Keeping up with research
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:14:53 -0800
References: <014401cbd431$425035b0$c6f0a110$@net>
In-Reply-To: <014401cbd431$425035b0$c6f0a110$@net>


For genealogy, pre-TMG, I used the Research Journal function of FTM. (I
haven't been doing much research, so haven't used TMG's equivalent
function.) For general to-do, etc., lists, I use the Tasks function in
Outlook, also the Calendar (Appointments) and Notes.

Since one of our house rules is, "If it's not in Outlook, it's not an
event,"* anything that involves a time and place is an Appointment, and
the memo section of the appt works fine for a list. The first example
that comes to mind is the annual Household Hazardous Waste collection: I
make an appt for that time, and then in the memo, I accumulate a list of
what I'm storing up to go. (There's good argument to make this a task
instead, since to add items to the list, I first have to find the appt.)

For library books (as an example), I use a Task. This pops up a
reminder, and the memo includes a list of books copied from the library
Website/my account. (I use Task because this is not as closely
associated with a time and place, more of a thing to do, with a due date.)

I also have Tasks for various stores, accumulating a shopping list for
each. (These are in a folder which doesn't produce reminders.)

I only use Notes for odd bits of info, e.g. the ink cartridge numbers
for my printer. These are generally more "permanent" than the Tasks or
Appts, which get filed after their dates.

All this synchronizes easily with my PDA (dock the device, push the
button, wait less than a minute). Therefore, all these appts, tasks,
notes, reminders are in the PDA and with me at all times (and things
entered in the PDA sync back into Outlook).


---------------
* The other hard-and-fast rule is, "If it's not in the hamper, it's not
laundry."





Teresa Elliott wrote:
> Hoping others will share how they do this too.
>
> I use a free program called StickerLite. It's like an electronic post it
> note. It can always be on top on your desk top.
>
> So when I am doing a task (today making sure I have sourced every ancestor
> on the 1930 census. I create a list of people who should be enumerated on
> the 1930 census, who are also my ancestors. I copy that list to a note in
> StickerLite. Then as I work down the list, I highlight the ancestors name
> and mark through it using the strike through font.
> Once all the ancestors are marked through, I can move to another task. The
> notes can be saved for later so I know what work I have done, and what work
> I haven't. With two monitors, I can keep the note I am working on open in
> one corner or I can lay it on top of another window.
>
> This is great when I am going to the library. I can make a list of ancestors
> for a certain geographical area and make sure I check them in every book the
> library has on that area while I am there.
>
> So how do you keep up with research you need to do? Any software other than
> TMG that helps you with the task?
>
> Teresa Elliott
>
>
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