Input needed for the next Chaos update (which will be later rather than sooner)
Due to some family issues the next Chaos update may be further down the road than anticipated. I've given ygor permission to modify the older versions.
That leaves the good news :) Since I'm getting a new release deadline (hahaha guideline.) I should have time to add more features.
The new version is going to be Chaos OoASIS --order on an infinite scale (yes I know my acronym has extra letters. :P )
This version will be in excel. It will be 2 page per week. The dates will be fully fluid and I'm working on adding a 'important day' tracker that will automatically add in B-days, and static holidays.
The major upgrade to OoASIS is that it will have more project specific pages. The pages will have a title or label you give them as you have a new project. The project page gives them plenty of room to be defined, but they can be scheduled by referring to the page number you give them.
So please give me input on what you might like to see in the new update.
1. classic or letter?
2. Task lists on the weekly page or monthly page with month/week/daily tasks broken down on it?
3. Menus on the weekly page or on a separate page?
4. Project specific pages--what type? I like craft specific pages and dh likes music pages (he plays & sings)
5. what home life specific projects? child behavior chart, romance/date/spouse communication, menus/medication....
6. Anything else you would like to see.
Thank you for any input.
Cheryl
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I'm planning most of that
I was going to make a new Dynamic Template - separate from the rest - that includes some new ideas like list entry and such.
That would allow it to be ANY page size.
What do you think ?
Or would you prefer to keep it a spreadsheet ? My only grouch is the difficulty in getting multiple page sizes out of one spreadsheet.
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"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin and Hobbes/Bill Waterson)
I have no problem with
I have no problem with having resize feature. You may tinker to your hearts content on either version as either a spreadsheet or a dynamic version. It might be just what someone is looking for--different strokes for different folks.
I personally wouldn't use a resize feature. One of the principals behind the Chaos design was that the overall design was tailored to page size and daily/weekly/etc use. Using a resize feature just results in an ill--fitting page that isn't designed for its purpose: it will work, but it won't be as functional as something designed for the space/size (think freestanding bookshelf vs built-ins.)
The best reason to go letter is because you need to get more info on a page. Resizing a classic design just results in giant type and oversized grids. It doesn't really add anything to the functionality or planning ability.
Classic planners are more portable. They track less information or else have it more spread out. Resizing letter designs usually results in teeny tiny pages with lines too small for writing.
Cheryl
Excellent points
I will cogitate on it a bit more.
My resize goal was not intended for extremes -- letter to classic or versa vica -- but more toward something like a choice between classic, A5, and compact. The main problem being different height-to-width ratios on all those sizes.
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"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin and Hobbes/Bill Waterson)
Suggestions for Next Update
Cheryl, I've been using your Chaos Contained for about 9 months now and am delighted to hear about an upgrade.
Size - either 8 1/2 x 11 or 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Tasks - both! There are things that need to happen on a specific day and things that don't have a due date (or that are low priority that can sit until you get to them)
Menus - weekly page
Project - nothing I can think of
Home life - child behavior
Thanks!
Georgina
I've only been using your
I've only been using your chaos planner for about 3 months, but I absolute LOVE it. I've started affectionately referring to the binder that I keep it in as "My Life". I'm pretty sure it's not what you had in mind for it when you designed it, but I'm ADHD and your planner (with a few very minor tweeks) is the ONLY one I've ever managed to use with any degree of regularity. I just love how it's got everything, but it's not too complicated with 4 million tabs and teeny tiny places to write in that don't actually have anything to do with my life (i.e. expense tracking and such).
Anywho, I'll stop praising your work long enough to throw my 2 cents in:
- I greatly prefer my planners to be letter size (it's just too hard to write in otherwise)
- For me, task lists should be on the weekly pages (I never remember to look at the monthly page, so they never get seen where they currently are)
- Menus on the same page as the weekly planner
- Is there any way there could be a larger margin on the inside edge? I find it a little hard to write things in on Wednesday as it's so close to the rings of my binder.
Other than that just keep up the great work and thank you sooooooooooooooo(deep breath)ooooooooooooo much. I just really love this planner you've created!
I'm Just Starting ...
... with a brand new CIrca system, and I'm putting together pages. Yours are looking very useful.
I'm a full-time Mom with several part time (at home) jobs. Here are my comments on your questions:
1. I'm using both Classic and Letter; Classic for shopping lists, address books, and other mobile thins, Letter for project planning, idea sheets, etc. Most of your pages would be in my "Classic" book.
2. I plan to put tasks on a separate page(s). I'll be printing out my Google Calendar once a month; I won't be using daily or weekly pages at all. [When I used daily/weekly planners in the past, I found I had lots of wasted paper. I am far less time-bound than many.]
3. As with 2, I would want menu planning on its own page, with shopping lists. BTW, I only plan dinners.
4. Project specific pages, definitely. I knit, sew, make chainmail, and am a beginning woodworker. I'm also doing a lot of work on our house remodel. I wouldn't expect sheets from you for all those crafts, but a general project sheet would be great.
5. My kids are 9 and 14, so the sheets I need for them are:
- sheets where I can list details on their activities
- chore chart blanks
- contact pages for their friends' info
- a pre-printed power of attorney (while my kid is sleeping at your house, you can get her medical care ...)
--Liz