Testers Wanted for Smaller Emergent Task Planner Design

Testers Wanted for Smaller Emergent Task Planner Design

New ETP Form Factors There are two new form factors for the Emergent Task Planner: half-size A5 and quarter-size A6. I actually accidentally made the A6 version first, having read the wrong line of the ISO 216 paper size table, and was wondering why it looked so small…oops!

I don’t use this size at all, so I’m wondering if anyone out there would like to give me early feedback on the design. I suspect some things might be too small, and people with binders may need additional space on the left-hand side for hole punching. So if you’ve got a desire to test, leave a comment here or shoot me an email via the contact form, and I’ll send you a fresh PDF to download from send you an invite to the the super-secret Design Prototyping Area (in Basecamp), where you can download the PDF and participate in the design discussion.

For North American users, I’d be interested in hearing what smaller paper sizes are most useful to you.

Thanks for anyone who can spare some time!

UPDATE NOV 24, 2010: Testing is closed. We should have a new version of the A5 and US Memo (5.5×8.5″) up soon.

26 Comments

  1. Silvio 14 years ago

    Hi, Great tasker :) I like the A5 size, it fits into my Levenger agenda. Few notes please: 1-The small circles on the right side are always confusing; Are those for progress? to be hashed? 2-Do we have to re-write some of these everyday? if it is recurring? Because one of the major focus derail reasons are when tasks become habits, they start to be annoying. This is just a comment, I know it’s up to the leader to manage habits from convergent thinking, but I would like your experienced advice.

    Regards, Silvio

  2. boomer 14 years ago

    I would like to test the A6 size!

  3. Eric 14 years ago

    I am a NA based global nomad. I use a Japanese B5 notebook as my primary notebook. I like the A5 planner concept. I also use the compact calendar on the inside cover to schedule my trips.

  4. Linda J 14 years ago

    I would love the A5 it would fit with my planner. If you need a tester I would step up for it.

  5. Author
    Dave Seah 14 years ago

    Awesome! I’ll be setting up a special Basecamp project and put you all in there so you can download the prototype templates and comment on their use. If you have an issue with seeing/sharing your emails with a group of testers, you will have the choice to opt-out. Will set it up later tonight!

    • Lynn O'Connor 14 years ago

      I very much want to be a tester on this product! I have been trying to figure out a way to use the Emergent Task Planner in my current “Next Action/Calendar/In-Box” notebook which consists of a Circa Daily Scheduler (2 pages per day), pages for notes (In-Box), printed out ICa (2 to a page) –and I use the plastic circa jr. covers, as without a heavy cover the note books is quite light and easy to put in my bag. So I really want the ETP in a size that will fit this Circa Jr. notebook (I am not positive of the size, its something close to 8×5 –I’ll check that out. Anyway, please send me a PDF of the form so I can start testing it right away. Thanks.

  6. Josette 14 years ago

    I’d be happy to test the A5, right now I use the regular size on a clipboard then fold in half for taking around on the days I’m not desk bound. I’ve tried different things, but I’ve discovered that I just like paper.

  7. Sue Thomas 14 years ago

    I’d be interested in testing both of them! I’ve used both of those sizes at different times.

  8. Tim 14 years ago

    Hi David – I’d love to test too..

    Thanks!

  9. Rachel 14 years ago

    This is perfect timing! I’m currently searching for the perfect task planner for 2010 and came to your site for ideas. I’d love to be able to test both sizes. Currently I use a planner with A6 sizing but I’m not sure I’m sold on the smaller sizing.

    Thanks Dave!

    • Rachel 14 years ago

      Whoops – I meant I’m looking for the 2011 calendar year. Thanks!

  10. John 14 years ago

    Hi David, I would like to give it a go if you don’t mind. I am a teacher at a small school in Tokyo. I have used the other task planner and generally enjoyed it, but frankly I always end up with some wasted space.

    I thought about resizing and printing, but it never comes out correct. We use the alternate sizes here for certain papers, so it might be just the ticket.

    Even though I am not a web designer, teachers have serious time/project management issues and some of your ideas have been very helpful.

    Thanks

  11. Jim 14 years ago

    I love these forms. I’ll test!

  12. Amanda Pingel 14 years ago

    @John: your statement “Teachers have some serious time/project management issues” made me laugh. I’d like to nominate it for understatement of the year.

    Dave: I just realized that my beautiful shiny new planner is about the right size for the A6 (it’s a little bigger, but I hope that will leave room for the holes in the margin.) I would be happy to test for you.

  13. Moose 14 years ago

    Hi Dave, Ahhh my two favourite sizes… I’ve in the past printed out your designs in these sizes so yes! I would love to be a tester!

  14. Jorge 14 years ago

    Well… I might as well comment on preferences in the basecamp site if you give me access :)

  15. PenAndInk 14 years ago

    I’m interested in testing, although I typically use 8.5 x 5.5. I believe it will print 2-to-a-page with no problems.

  16. JohnK 14 years ago

    I sent an email on the contact form but got an error… I would like to try both sizes and see how they each work for me…I have a couple of projects coming up that they could help with. Thanks John

  17. Agustín Martín 14 years ago

    I have actually been using the A5 size for a while. I just love that size, so I printed the A4 version scaled down. I would like to try this A5 version and compare it with the one I’m using now. Cheers, and thanks for all the great tools you have given us!

  18. Phil v. Sassen 14 years ago

    Great work! Would be happy to help!

    Best regards from Berlin – Germany,

    Phil

  19. Xinyi Wang 14 years ago

    I’d love to be a tester! Here in Singapore letter sized paper is almost non existent, so A5/A6 would definitely be helpful!

    A6 seems a reasonable size to add to my mini monthly planner, but the font/ grid size seems too small for comfort.

  20. Aude Morisset 14 years ago

    Great work ! I would be happy to help !

    Best regards from France

    Aude

  21. Peter 14 years ago

    Hi – I’m trying to locate a Emergent Task Planner in Excel format. The couple of links on your site are old. Do you know where I can find an Excel version? Thanks peter

  22. Suzanne 14 years ago

    I would like to test the A6 version. I’d just like a little something I could even fold up and carry with me as I walk around to the various labs at work. I’m an engineer in Florida.

  23. Jim 14 years ago

    I like your work. Can I please get a copy of both versions — to see which might fit best into my “reporters” notebook. thanks. jim

  24. Author
    Dave Seah 14 years ago

    Peter: I don’t think I made an Excel version of the Emergent Task Planner, so unless someone has made a variation of it I don’t know about, it doesn’t exist. Sorry!

    Suzzanne, Jim: We’re pretty late in the testing, so I’ve closed it off. We should have the A5 (and US Memo) versions up soon. The A6 still needs work.