Now that class has started back up and I'm taking 19 credits and working 2 jobs, I'm always looking for the best way to keep track of things I need to do. 30 Boxes has become my favorite to-do list manager. But that's not actually it's purpose, it's a calendar web app, but that's what makes it so great.

The most important part of a to-do list item is when the item needs to be completed. Enter 30 Boxes. Its easy, one-line calender entry and tagging lets you enter an item in seconds, then it displays it on the day it needs to be done by with color-coded tagging for a great visualization of what's ahead.

I tried using iCal with MobileMe after using 30 Boxes for a long time, but it wasn't that helpful. I realized it was because of how I used 30 Boxes. I used it to keep track of when things needed to get done by. I know my class schedule, I know when I go to work, I don't need to see it on a calendar everyday. What I needed was to put special events that aren't part of my daily schedule, which isn't worth using iCal or Google Calendar.

30 Boxes allows me to see in a glance when out of ordinary events are coming up, when homework is due, and when exams are coming up so I can get mentally prepared. It shows me weeks at a time and gives me the time of the event right there, making a week-view option unnecessary and less efficient. I know iCal and gCal have month views, but it's not quite the same.

Color coding helps you visually comprehend what kind of events are coming up. I make exams red because they're the most important. When I see red coming up, I know I need to pay attention to it and prepare. Green is for homework, so I can see how much homework I have due soon. And I usually use blue for my job at the athletics video office because we do things at weird times and it's good to expect it. And if you have something that doesn't fit on a calendar, like a "someday" to-do item, just use 30 Boxes's actual to-do list feature!

Plus 30 Boxes has an iPhone version of it's site, proving the same fast typing interface to add an item. No fooling with Calendar's scroll wheels just to enter a date and time, just type it in.

It's the little things that make all the difference.