PNC/RML: Geeks Bearing Gifts

Final Project, Spring 2009

by Kelly Thormodson

WII-FM (What’s In In For Me)

I keep lists. Lost of lists. Usually on small pieces of paper shoved in my pocket or handbag.

As with everything, lists are going high tech. They are going Web 2.0

Remember the milk

Remember the milk is an online to-do (task) list manager. It allows you to keep your running list of items to do in one online location accessible from any computer with Web access.

http://www.rememberthemilk.com

Remember the milk…first lookclick on the Signup link to start (it’s free)

RTM (as it is commonly referred to)

Allows you to set up tasks Assign due dates Make repeat tasks Help section and weekly blog available for

additional information and assistance You can add contacts and create group task

lists Can be used with other web applications

Services

You can use RTM on its own or as a gadget in Gmail, iGoogle, Twitter, Google calendar, Netvibes, and there is a mobile version available for use with a web-enabled mobile device

My personal preference is iGoogle as you can see from the next slide

RTM on iGoogle

RTM on iGoogle

With the iGoogle gadget I get my RTM list when I log into iGoogle so I don’t have to go to the RTM website

I can add tasks from the gadget I can mark tasks complete, postpone or edit

from the gadget as well

Use by libraries and other organizations Based on my literature and general web

searching I couldn’t find any libraries or other organizations using RTM

There are probably groups out there using it who have not openly advertised or published about it

I imagine that if an organization were to use RTM for a group/project task list application that it would work

It would probably work best for a smaller organization or department

All contacts in the calendar would need to agree on how it will be used and agree to check it everyday

RTM would work for group project tasks, assigned by a project leader or by the individual

Small hospital libraries could use if for day-to-day work tasks, especially if there were a variety of volunteers assisting throughout the day

Check the RTM, mark complete when done, next person checks the list and goes from there

Ease of use

RTM is fairly easy to use. I picked it up quickly but there are nuances I

have yet to figure out Help section is available, if you are patient

enough to search it (I’m not)

Where to go from here personally…

I will keep using it. I really like it. There is a RTM Pro version available for

$25/year which allows you to sync to Blackberry and iPhone

I think that if I were to upgrade my phone I would invest the $25 to have my to-do list with me anywhere and always up-to-date

Where to go from here professionally

I just went to a larger institution where RTM would not work. But if I were in a smaller organization I would seriously look at this for Daily checklists for students or volunteers. Project assignments to staff members. It is easy and free. It is worth a look.

Remember the milk

http://www.rememberthemilk.com

Thank you

Kelly Thormodson, MLIS Coordinator, Education & Research

Hardin Library for the Health Sciences

University of Iowa

600 Newton Road

Iowa City, IA 52242

kelly-thormodson@uiowa.edu