Since my web hosting company provides MySQL and Perl, along with the DBI module creating this virtual todo list is pretty easy. It’s just a matter of creating the 9 tables in a database and writing some CGI scripts that will allow a user (me) to insert entries into the database. A word of note is that you should always use taint mode for Perl CGI scripts and untaint any data from web forms before running the SQL query. I’ve also limited access to the CGI scripts that manipulate the databases for obvious reasons. However I will allow everybody to view my lists, by creating a new MySQL user and granting the user viewing privileges (select privilege).

The nine lists are (if you haven’t already read the life hacking post):

1. A wish list: if people don’t know what to buy you for special days
2. A gift list: awesome gifts to buy people
3. Minute list: stuff to do if I have a spare minute
4. BHAGs: Big hairy audacious goals, enough said
5. Bucket list: stuff to do before you die
6. Grocery list: a grocery list
7. Recommended list: stuff people have recommended to me, i.e. books, movies, etc.
8. Rememeber list: stuff to remember
9. Ideas list: for when you have that really awesome idea

I also plan to import my bookmarks into a database and use this simple web interface to update my favourite sites. Hopefully this will help me keep a mental tab on things.