We'd like your input on the Tasks part of Daylite.

What do you want out of Tasks?

What would the ideal Tasks screen for you look like?

Do you use GTD apps or other task management applications for your tasks instead of Daylite? What do you like about those apps? What's your workflow like in them?

Thanks,
Brandon

I would like to be able to enter tasks on the fly like omnifocus' inbox, then assign their catagories etc later. I haven't found a way to do this in daylite yet. is it possible?

The closest thing we have in Daylite is called "brainstorm mode". When you're in this view mode you can quickly input tasks by pressing the enter key.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5845/viewmode1ax0.png

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We'd like your input on the Tasks part of Daylite. What do you want out of Tasks?

I'll like to be able to have a summary task list where I can change the order by drag and drop, as priorities or circumstances change --- a running summary list to keep on one side of my screen.

Ever since version 3.x, I've missed seeing my calendar while in the task area. In my opinion, the due list feature is useless. Having all the columns I've set up in task view is essential, but I'd like to be able to have a one-day calendar on the side (kind of the reverse of the current implementation, which is a full calendar with a list of tasks on the side).

I really would appreciate adding not only date, but hours and minutes to tasks. I, for example, always have about 4 or five calls to make every day. Sometimes more. And with calls, you most often just get, "in a meeting, call back in 2 hours". I would then want to be able to add a time when to get back and se the task disappear until that time comes. Like the "remind me at" function. So just add after "due today", due tomorrow", "due next week" some more like, due in 30 minutes, due in 1 hour, due in 3 hour, and so on. And also add the possibility to write a specific time when editing the task.

As I said, this already works with reminders but if I am to get a good overview over my tasks I don't want things there that I shouldn't do until later.

By the way, I use a smart-list so that I only see my tasks for today or before today that isn't done.

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Ever since version 3.x, I've missed seeing my calendar while in the task area. In my opinion, the due list feature is useless.

Can you go into detail on why you find the due list unhelpful?

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Having all the columns I've set up in task view is essential

Which columns do you currently have set up?

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By the way, I use a smart-list so that I only see my tasks for today or before today that isn't done.

This is very useful information.
To everyone: What smart lists do you have configured in Tasks?

How do I get into "Brainstorming" mode I can't see it. I only have the first three buttons

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Altringer:
How do I get into "Brainstorming" mode I can't see it. I only have the first three buttons

You'll see brainstorming mode in My Tasks and any of your regular lists (not smart lists).

Hi Brandon,

Since you asked, here the Smart Lists I have configured for the Tasks view:

Completed Today
BY Creation Date (I edit the date on the fly)
Do TODAY
DO ASAP
Do Someday
Do Soon
(The above 4 are based on like named categories)
FU (for Follow-Up)
Leads
Recently Completed

I find myself going back to the Notebook application for tasks and even projects.

It's flexibility is more appealing than what Daylite presently offers in this area. You only need to try the app out or watch one of the videos to see what I'm talking about. It's a different animal than Daylite altogether though. I don't mean to compare them in this venue, but since you asked....

I find it frustrating that "done" sub-tasks still show up even when "status = not done" is selected.

The "dead" area in the lower right hand corner of the project and tasks window seems like a waste of space to me, or perhaps I just do not know how to utilize it.

I also wish there were customizable, perhaps smart list options for tasks in the calendar view. Another under-utilized area in my opinion.

I am trying to implement some of the GTD processes into Daylite (with the help of Marni and the remaining 75 pages of the GTD book) anything that could be added to Daylite to make this easier would be much appreciated.

I probably am not explaining myself very well here. Hopefully I said something useful....

WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF TASK
1. Separate Task called Phone Call...make so many and schedule these all the time.
Example: A scheduled phone call should act like this...drop down menu with customized choices like return call, call about order, schedule appointment, schedule meeting. Then it would automatically attached the person's name and organization (not only link them, but fuse the text) Schedule Meeting with John.

2. Drop down menus for all tasks, phone calls and appointments A. It saves me typing B. Most of my basic phone calls, tasks, or appointments are simple reminders

3. When I schedule a task, phone call, or appointment I would like the contact and the contact's organization to be automatically associated. In task view or calander view all I see is the "task." Also when these are synched with my Blackberry...all i see is the task.

4. Task View, A. Have the option to either gray out the completed task or put a line through
B. Icons colors for the different types of the tasks be different colors (customizable?)

Christian

Tasks should have a "Repeat" function. I would like to be able to have things like "Have Termite Inspection" show up in tasks each year. It doesn't make sense to use an appointment for this, because it doesn't HAVE to be accomplished on a specific date, I just need to be reminded each year to have a termite inspection!

I agree that Daylite should have a seperate task for phone calls. Once a call is scheduled it should attach to the contact, org and any projects or opps. This is an important feature for Daylite. ACT does a great job with calls.

Various people have many desires for tasks. My own are very simple. Currently, I use a Stickies note as a To Do list. I can easily add to, delete, and (most importantly) reorder just by dragging as circumstances and, therefore, priorities change.

Daylite is great. Indeed, it's invaluable to our business. But it's very useful to have that one simple summary list of upcoming tasks - that I can reprioritize in a moment. Just being able to reorder the notifications window by dragging would do it for me. Re-ordering the Tasks windows by changing priority, or date or whatever won't do it. It's the one-second reorder by just dragging that I'm asking for.

Have also sent this to Daylite as a request.