Keyboard shortcuts and actionlist (DO) workflow
I would like to make a case for a keyboard-only approach for working with Nirvana. Sofar there are some nice keyboard shortcuts that cover the functionality that is now available. Chapeau!! (which is French for hats off)!!
David Allen is very explicit in his preference for keyboard-only as far as the systems are concerned that support the GTD methodology.
In working on eProductivity (which is the Lotus Notes implementation for GTD) he has worked for years with the developers to come up with a way that the total workflow for the system can be controlled from the keyboard only.
Now, I realize that this may be hard to implement in Nirvana but it would be nice if working from a context list (like the "Calls" "list) could be with a workflow that is totally supported by keyboard shortcuts (example):
- focus on an action ("f" or mouse or "next" or something
similar)
- open an action ("o" or click on the notes icon) to open the
notes for the action (new note window, stack, original note like I
have suggested elsewhere)
- Make my notes from the call
- close and save an action ("s" or the save button)
- auto focus on the next action
I am not sure if this is the right way to do it. It will of course depend a lot on the way the notes will be implemented to support an audit trail in the action.
The basic idea is that you can work from a list and once started, the Nirvana workflow will let you work down that list and you can make your calls (for example) without having to touch your mouse again.
Man, that would be slick!...
I also want to make a point that whilst I may seem very critical, I am very eager to add my 10 cents to assist Nirvana in creating a killer GTD app. One that is born from people who actually use GTD in day to day situations and that is true to the GTD method. So Elbert, Christiana and all the other behind the screens: Keep up the good work!!
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Support Staff 2 Posted by Christiane Magee on 13 Mar, 2010 04:18 PM
Hey jos...
We are very much into keyboard shortcuts ourselves. I've made note of some of your ideas. Thanks for those suggestions.
3 Posted by Tyson on 29 Jul, 2010 11:21 PM
I also would like to request full keyboard support, meaning every action should have an associated keyboard shortcut. A couple of great examples of apps that have implemented this successfully are Gmail and Checkvist (www.checkvist.com, which I currently use). There needs to be a way to navigate through the tasks itself (such as pressing j & k in gmail to navigate through messages), and then a way to bring up the "more actions" menu so you can quickly and easily move, assign, archive, etc, a task.
This app looks really great in my opinion. With the addition of recurring tasks and full keyboard shortcut support I would definitely consider switching, even it meant paying.
David McLaughlin closed this discussion on 02 Feb, 2011 06:23 PM.