Go Twitter, and Please Remember the Milk

I want to briefly place a spotlight on a couple of applications that I've recently begun to utilize. Both applications are fairly popular, with several thousand people bookmarking each on del.icio.us . Neither of these are sponsored ads, and I hope they don't read as such.

Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ )

When I first saw Twitter, it seemed like nothing more than a MySpace with ADHD.  The Twitter home page features the public timeline, a continuous feed of what everyone is "twittering" right now. A few examples (names censored):

XXXX:  watching yankees/red sux game

XXXX:  今日も早くから仕事。外は思いのほか涼しかった。

XXXX:  A wise man once told me to go home and have a gin and tonic.

XXXX:  Time to head home...I can do no more good here!

The first impression upon me was not very high. In fact, I still don't really understand the public timeline aspect, except to show that, in fact, people really are using the service. 

The strengths of Twitter, in my opinion, are its ease access using multiple platforms (IM, SMS, Web) and integration with other services.  Through Twitter, a user can follow a particular feed from a user and receive notifications through their IM or phone instantly.  For example, I can chose to follow ESPN, and get breaking sports news through Google Talk.

Along with getting feed updates from ESPN or Woot!, I plan to use Twitter to store up random thoughts throughout the day / week, and make a compilation post to this blog whenever my twitter bubbles over. You can chose to follow Ankhorahil to see my thoughts as they happen, or simply wait for the compilation post here later.

Remember the Milk ( http://www.rememberthemilk.com/)

Remember the Milk, henceforth referred to as RTM, is an online task management system. While still in Beta, RTM feels highly polished and performs its stated purpose very well.  Users can have different categories of tasks, set priorities, and specify due dates using natural language ( e.g. "Go to the store tomorrow"). The RTM homepage is uncluttered and intuitive providing immediate access to tasks due today, tomorrow, and yesterday (or further overdue). RTM also allows for sharing between tasks and task lists, making it very useful for families and small organizations.

RTM is also highly inter-operable with other services, and this is where it has the potential to become a true "killer app". RTM provides XML and iCal feeds, as well as modules to be integrated with Google Calendar, iGoogle, Netvibes, and the OS X Dashboard. RTM can be updated through email and IM (using Twitter or IMified) and has a mobile version for web-enabled phones.

There are definitely some signs of the Beta in RTM, mostly cosmetic and other minor issues that do not affect the overall utility of the application.  I believe that these folks are heading in a good direction, and will probably be bought by Google soon. Wild speculation is why you're here, right?

Anyway, it's time to head home, have a gin and tonic, and watch the Red Sox crush the Yankees.