Astrid 3.0 Beta

[Tim Su]

Some of you may be wondering why things have been so quiet with Astrid
lately. There are a lot of reasons, but here's one of them: Astrid
3.0! Today I'm ready to share some of my work with the world. If you're a
programmer, I'd like you to help vet the new plugin system by trying your
hand at writing a plugin. If you're not, and you're feeling brave, please use it and
report any bugs or improvements that can be made.

What is Astrid 3.0?

It's a re-write of several components of Astrid, especially the data layer (how data
is stored). The upshot is a more pluggable, (sometimes) faster Astrid. While it
currently doesn't have most of the features Astrid 2.x does, I am sure that
its abilities will eventually far surpass its predecessor.

What does it have right now?

Astrid 3.0, out of the box, supports task importance, urgency, and "hidden until"
settings. I've written one example plug-in for tags, and am working on one
for reminders. That means, as of right now, no notes, RTM sync, timing,
Google Calendar synchronization. It also can't import your tasks from Astrid
2.x yet (though it's a separate app so you can still access your old
tasks). Plus, it's not very polished. Yes, there is a lot of work left to be
done!

Plugins? What Plugins?

Astrid can now be enhanced by third-party apps. This means that a lot of
stuff that was a central part of Astrid has now come outside and is
optional / upgradable. If you don't use tags, you never have to see another tag.
If you like tags a lot, someone could make a better tag plugin that is cooler than
the built-in one. Yay choices.

I came up with the following list of plugin ideas. If you would like to try
making a plugin, please reply with what you're going to do. It doesn't have
to be on this list at all! Feel free to e-mail me to discuss implementation and
give feedback. For some of these plugins, like RTM synchronization, most of
the hard work is done already and in Astrid 2.x.

• Tagging - add tags to tasks, filter by tag
• timsu: done with initial version!
• Reminders - tasks send alerts when approaching due dates
• timsu: in progress (plugins/reminders), doesn't work yet
• Notes - add one or more notes to your tasks
• Timer - time how long it takes to finish tasks
• Repeats - create a new task when an old one is completed
• GTD - categorize tasks into Next Action, Waiting For, or Someday/Maybe. @contexts.
• Backup - dump tasks to SD card, restore
• Remember The Milk Synchronization - 'nuff said!
• Google Calendar Integration - add calendar entries pertaining to tasks
• Photo Attachment - take a picture, attach it to a task
• Link to Contact - add a contact to a task, call or send e-mail when you complete the task

Links:

Astrid 3.0 APK (use your phone to download & install):
http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-3.0.apk

Astrid Tags Plugin (install to add tagging features):
http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-plugin-tags.apk

Astrid 3.0 Source Code on Github:
http://github.com/timsu/astrid-3.0

API Overview and Instructions
http://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power/web/astrid-3-0-plugin-overview


Ok have fun, be safe, e-mail the list with your questions!

Tim


ps: trying out github. Let me know how you like it. Launchpad is really slow!

[scoobie]

Congrads on the release Tim

On 13 Sep, 10:25, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:
> Some of you may be wondering why things have been so quiet with Astrid
> lately. There are a lot of reasons, but here's one of them: Astrid
> 3.0! Today I'm ready to share some of my work with the world. If you're a
> programmer, I'd like you to help vet the new plugin system by trying your
> hand at writing a plugin. If you're not, and you're feeling brave, please use it and

> report any bugs or improvements that can be made.What is Astrid 3.0?

> It's a re-write of several components of Astrid, especially the data layer (how data
> is stored). The upshot is a more pluggable, (sometimes) faster Astrid. While it
> currently doesn't have most of the features Astrid 2.x does, I am sure that

> its abilities will eventually far surpass its predecessor.What does it have right now?

> Astrid 3.0, out of the box, supports task importance, urgency, and "hidden until"
> settings. I've written one example plug-in for tags, and am working on one
> for reminders. That means, as of right now, no notes, RTM sync, timing,
> Google Calendar synchronization. It also can't import your tasks from Astrid
> 2.x yet (though it's a separate app so you can still access your old
> tasks). Plus, it's not very polished. Yes, there is a lot of work left to be

> done!Plugins? What Plugins?

> Astrid can now be enhanced by third-party apps. This means that a lot of
> stuff that was a central part of Astrid has now come outside and is
> optional / upgradable. If you don't use tags, you never have to see another tag.
> If you like tags a lot, someone could make a better tag plugin that is cooler than
> the built-in one. Yay choices.

> I came up with the following list of plugin ideas.If you would like to try
> making a plugin, please reply with what you're going to do.It doesn't have

> to be on this list at all! Feel free to e-mail me to discuss implementation and
> give feedback. For some of these plugins, like RTM synchronization, most of

> the hard work is done already and in Astrid 2.x.Tagging - add tags to tasks, filter by tagtimsu: done with initial version!Reminders - tasks send alerts when approaching due datestimsu: in progress (plugins/reminders), doesn't work yetNotes - add one or more notes to your tasksTimer - time how long it takes to finish tasksRepeats - create a new task when an old one is completedGTD - categorize tasks into Next Action, Waiting For, or Someday/Maybe. @contexts.Backup - dump tasks to SD card, restoreRemember The Milk Synchronization - 'nuff said!Google Calendar Integration - add calendar entries pertaining to tasksPhoto Attachment - take a picture, attach it to a taskLink to Contact - add a contact to a task, call or send e-mail when you complete the taskLinks:Astrid 3.0 APK (use your phone to download & install):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-3.0.apkAstrid Tags Plugin (install to add tagging features):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-plugin-tags.apkAstrid 3.0 Source Code on Github:http://github.com/timsu/astrid-3.0API Overview and Instructionshttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power/web/astrid-3-0-plugin-overview

[Mike]

Is the plugin framework written in such a way that plugin 'a' can
access the functionality of plugin 'b'?

On Sep 13, 2:25 am, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:
> Some of you may be wondering why things have been so quiet with Astrid
> lately. There are a lot of reasons, but here's one of them: Astrid
> 3.0! Today I'm ready to share some of my work with the world. If you're a
> programmer, I'd like you to help vet the new plugin system by trying your
> hand at writing a plugin. If you're not, and you're feeling brave, please use it and

> report any bugs or improvements that can be made.What is Astrid 3.0?

> It's a re-write of several components of Astrid, especially the data layer (how data
> is stored). The upshot is a more pluggable, (sometimes) faster Astrid. While it
> currently doesn't have most of the features Astrid 2.x does, I am sure that

> its abilities will eventually far surpass its predecessor.What does it have right now?

> Astrid 3.0, out of the box, supports task importance, urgency, and "hidden until"
> settings. I've written one example plug-in for tags, and am working on one
> for reminders. That means, as of right now, no notes, RTM sync, timing,
> Google Calendar synchronization. It also can't import your tasks from Astrid
> 2.x yet (though it's a separate app so you can still access your old
> tasks). Plus, it's not very polished. Yes, there is a lot of work left to be

> done!Plugins? What Plugins?

> Astrid can now be enhanced by third-party apps. This means that a lot of
> stuff that was a central part of Astrid has now come outside and is
> optional / upgradable. If you don't use tags, you never have to see another tag.
> If you like tags a lot, someone could make a better tag plugin that is cooler than
> the built-in one. Yay choices.

> I came up with the following list of plugin ideas.If you would like to try
> making a plugin, please reply with what you're going to do.It doesn't have

> to be on this list at all! Feel free to e-mail me to discuss implementation and
> give feedback. For some of these plugins, like RTM synchronization, most of

> the hard work is done already and in Astrid 2.x.Tagging - add tags to tasks, filter by tagtimsu: done with initial version!Reminders - tasks send alerts when approaching due datestimsu: in progress (plugins/reminders), doesn't work yetNotes - add one or more notes to your tasksTimer - time how long it takes to finish tasksRepeats - create a new task when an old one is completedGTD - categorize tasks into Next Action, Waiting For, or Someday/Maybe. @contexts.Backup - dump tasks to SD card, restoreRemember The Milk Synchronization - 'nuff said!Google Calendar Integration - add calendar entries pertaining to tasksPhoto Attachment - take a picture, attach it to a taskLink to Contact - add a contact to a task, call or send e-mail when you complete the taskLinks:Astrid 3.0 APK (use your phone to download & install):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-3.0.apkAstrid Tags Plugin (install to add tagging features):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-plugin-tags.apkAstrid 3.0 Source Code on Github:http://github.com/timsu/astrid-3.0API Overview and Instructionshttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power/web/astrid-3-0-plugin-overview

[Piligrim]

At task editing, due time always changes to current date/time and it
should be edited :(

[Tim Su]

Mike,

Yes this will work. Plugins can store metadata associated with tasks. This metadata is stored within Astrid, and is exposed with a ContentProvider. If plugins want to store private data, though, they can also do that by having a local data store.

All metadata is namespaced, so in order to interact with plugins, you'll have to know the namespace of the plugin you want.

For example, the tags plugin stores metadata with namespace "tdr:tags" and key "tag". If you wanted to read a task's tags, you could do that if you knew those values.

Tim

[Sieb]

Any news? It's been awkwardly quiet around the 3.0 release during the
past few weeks. I'm really looking for something better than OpenLoopz
in terms of GTD Capability but Astrid 2.xx is not up to the task.
Really looking forward to the 3.0.

On Sep 13, 6:25 pm, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:
> Some of you may be wondering why things have been so quiet with Astrid
> lately. There are a lot of reasons, but here's one of them: Astrid
> 3.0! Today I'm ready to share some of my work with the world. If you're a
> programmer, I'd like you to help vet the new plugin system by trying your
> hand at writing a plugin. If you're not, and you're feeling brave, please use it and

> report any bugs or improvements that can be made.What is Astrid 3.0?

> It's a re-write of several components of Astrid, especially the data layer (how data
> is stored). The upshot is a more pluggable, (sometimes) faster Astrid. While it
> currently doesn't have most of the features Astrid 2.x does, I am sure that

> its abilities will eventually far surpass its predecessor.What does it have right now?

> Astrid 3.0, out of the box, supports task importance, urgency, and "hidden until"
> settings. I've written one example plug-in for tags, and am working on one
> for reminders. That means, as of right now, no notes, RTM sync, timing,
> Google Calendar synchronization. It also can't import your tasks from Astrid
> 2.x yet (though it's a separate app so you can still access your old
> tasks). Plus, it's not very polished. Yes, there is a lot of work left to be

> done!Plugins? What Plugins?

> Astrid can now be enhanced by third-party apps. This means that a lot of
> stuff that was a central part of Astrid has now come outside and is
> optional / upgradable. If you don't use tags, you never have to see another tag.
> If you like tags a lot, someone could make a better tag plugin that is cooler than
> the built-in one. Yay choices.

> I came up with the following list of plugin ideas.If you would like to try
> making a plugin, please reply with what you're going to do.It doesn't have

> to be on this list at all! Feel free to e-mail me to discuss implementation and
> give feedback. For some of these plugins, like RTM synchronization, most of

> the hard work is done already and in Astrid 2.x.Tagging - add tags to tasks, filter by tagtimsu: done with initial version!Reminders - tasks send alerts when approaching due datestimsu: in progress (plugins/reminders), doesn't work yetNotes - add one or more notes to your tasksTimer - time how long it takes to finish tasksRepeats - create a new task when an old one is completedGTD - categorize tasks into Next Action, Waiting For, or Someday/Maybe. @contexts.Backup - dump tasks to SD card, restoreRemember The Milk Synchronization - 'nuff said!Google Calendar Integration - add calendar entries pertaining to tasksPhoto Attachment - take a picture, attach it to a taskLink to Contact - add a contact to a task, call or send e-mail when you complete the taskLinks:Astrid 3.0 APK (use your phone to download & install):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-3.0.apkAstrid Tags Plugin (install to add tagging features):http://cloud.github.com/downloads/timsu/astrid-3.0/astrid-plugin-tags.apkAstrid 3.0 Source Code on Github:http://github.com/timsu/astrid-3.0API Overview and Instructionshttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power/web/astrid-3-0-plugin-overview

[Tim Su]

I hear ya, dude. I decided to go back to school to finish my MS degree, and, between that and my day job, and fixing some of the outstanding issues in Astrid 2.x, free time has been scarce.

I won't complain, though. I'm hoping there's only one more Astrid 2.x release left, and then I can focus all of my efforts on 3.0. Please be patient!

Tim

--
Tim Su
Lead Engineer, Astrid & Todoroo
Todoroo, Inc | t...@todoroo.com

[takabanana]

Any updates on Astrid 3.0?

Looking forward to GTD and Toodledo support!
Would love to help with development too...

-taka

[Tim Su]

Thanks for the inquiry! I'm still plugging away at 3.0 - writing unit tests and finishing up the core set of plugins necessary for an alpha release.

The plugin API is not complete yet - I was working on it, but I realized that I needed to release something, so I decided to hold off on a public API and get plugins working with the private API for now, and then worry about getting the public API ready. Ideally, I'd like for the public API to work like the private API, since I really like it :)

Help with development would be awesome! There's so much that would be awesome to see in this version. The core code is looking pretty stable :)

Tim

takabanana wrote:

Any updates on Astrid 3.0?

Looking forward to GTD and Toodledo support!
Would love to help with development too...

-taka

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[Piotr Krukowiecki]

Hi :)

I'm using Astrid 2.10 and it's a very nice app. It's missing some
features that seems to be available in hopefully-soon-to-be-3.0 (i.e.
multiple lists). Is there a way to try it before it's released?

My phone is not rooted so I can't install .apk AFAIK. Building&running
it from eclipse should be ok for me, I got the HelloAndroid working,
so if there was a Building Astrid Howto I could try it out.

On 17 Gru, 08:40, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:
> Thanks for the inquiry! I'm still plugging away at 3.0 - writing unit tests and finishing up the core set of plugins necessary for an alpha release.

> The plugin API is not complete yet - I was working on it, but I realized that I needed to releasesomething, so I decided to hold off on a public API and get plugins working with the private API for now, and then worry about getting the public API ready. Ideally, I'd like for the public API to work like the private API, since I really like it :)

> Help with development would be awesome! There's so much that would be awesome to see in this version. The core code is looking pretty stable :)
> Tim

> takabanana wrote:Any updates on Astrid 3.0? Looking forward to GTD and Toodledo support! Would love to help with development too... -taka -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Astrid Power Users" group. To post to this group, send email toastri...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email toastrid-powe...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power?hl=en.

[Piotr Krukowiecki]

Hi,

I'm not sure if my previous mail was sent... in short I'm interested
in testing Astrid 3.0.

I got sources and compiled it in Eclipse and started in emulator. I'm
using Android 1.5 target (my cell phone has 1.5)

I have some questions:
- I'm mainly interested in multi-list feature. How to use it? I could
create a task but I've seen no "list" selection. Do I need to add a
plugin?
- I could not add a widget - another plugin needed?
- I've create a new task and selected "No 'Urgency", but when I
clicked Save it said "task due in 7 days". Is that correct?
- Can it be installed in real phone (from Eclipse build) if I have
Astrid 2.10 installed there?

On 17 Gru, 08:40, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the inquiry! I'm still plugging away at 3.0 - writing unit tests and finishing up the core set of plugins necessary for an alpha release.

> The plugin API is not complete yet - I was working on it, but I realized that I needed to releasesomething, so I decided to hold off on a public API and get plugins working with the private API for now, and then worry about getting the public API ready. Ideally, I'd like for the public API to work like the private API, since I really like it :)

> Help with development would be awesome! There's so much that would be awesome to see in this version. The core code is looking pretty stable :)
> Tim

> takabanana wrote:Any updates on Astrid 3.0? Looking forward to GTD and Toodledo support! Would love to help with development too... -taka -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Astrid Power Users" group. To post to this group, send email toastri...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email toastrid-powe...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power?hl=en.

[Everett Guerny]

You actually can install an apk file on a non-rooted device. You just
need to enable "Unknown sources" under Settings > Applications. The
package can then be installed using a file manager.

On Dec 27, 4:39 pm, Piotr Krukowiecki

[Tim Su]

Piotr,

I'm currently working on the multiple list feature (I'm assuming you mean Remember the Milk lists), so it's on a local branch and doesn't quite work yet. To answer your other questions,
- there's no widget yet. Astrid 3 contains mostly new code and so I haven't ported the widget yet
- Urgency - sounds like a bug :P
- you should be able to install it as Everett said on your phone. Build an APK, put it on the web somewhere, and have your phone download it. Since the package name is different than Astrid 2, they are completely separate applications with no shared data and can coexist.

yeah, there are some issues with Astrid 3, it's not really where I want it to be for a first release yet - but feel free to play around with it. The RTM plugin is what I'm currently working on. It's going ok, slowly.

Tim

Piotr Krukowiecki wrote:

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[Piotr Krukowiecki]

Thanks guys, I got it installed (using adb install - seems to be less problematic than putting apk on internet)

Tim, I didn't mean RTM lists, but just simple local lists. I don't use Remember the Milk.

I'm looking for a simple TODO/Wishlist/GTD app that supports following use cases/features:

1. "shopping list" / "next action" context
   * used to keep things to do now/today/tomorrow
   * widget to display the list on home screen
   * easy marking as "done"

2. time-based list
   * items are time-constrained, i.e. must be done by some time, or take place at certain time
   * calendar integration
   * widget and reminder - already provided by calendar?

3. other lists
   * different lists like "good ideas for presents for next Christmas", "ideas for improving Astrid" ;)
   * lists are not displayed in the home screen widget

Other features, in decreasing priority:
- adding new items quickly/easily (in case I need to note something / just got a good idea and don't want to forget it)
   * attaching/recording a voice message/picture would be nice
- sublist/projects/embedded lists (a list of Christmas presents for whole family - each family member gets his own item/action)
- "contact-type action" (idea from OpenLoopz or Shuffle) - easy access to a contact from an action

I've already tried several apps, like OpenLoopz and Shuffle, but Astrid 2.x seemed to be closest to my ideal so far. I can write what I liked/disliked in each app if anyone is interested.

[Odin Omdal Hørthe]

On Mon, Dec 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM, Piotr Krukowiecki
<piotr.kruko...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm looking for a simple TODO/Wishlist/GTD app that supports following use
> cases/features:

Oi! This is just what I also want. Please elaborate what you
liked/disliked with the other apps. I haven't set out time to think
about a todo-list program, but have found the ones I could find didn't
totallt fit what I deep down inside knew I needed. Also, syncing
without unautonomous services would be rather swell (I could always
set up my own server for it, I just don't like using proprietary
systems (ohwell, I've got a gmail address, but email is distributed
and open - I could, and will, easily switch)). :-)

--
Beste helsing,
Odin Hørthe Omdal <odin....@gmail.com>
http://velmont.no

[Jens]

Hi Piotr, hello all!

Perhaps you should consider to use a note-application also - for the
things that are not (time based) todos?!

I have used Evernote for my Christmas list this year (supporting
"attaching/recording a voice message/picture" already) and moved the
things over to Astrid if they became real tasks (buy XXX on
20.12.2009, 10:00...).
Of course your requests are useful - but from my point of view a TODO-
application is not a notepad.

Kind regards!

Jens

On Dec 28, 10:42 pm, Piotr Krukowiecki

> > Remember the Milk lists), so it's on a local branch and doesn't *quite*work yet. To answer your other questions,

> > On 17 Gru, 08:40, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:
>
> >  Thanks for the inquiry! I'm still plugging away at 3.0 - writing unit tests and finishing up the core set of plugins necessary for an alpha release.
> > The plugin API is not complete yet - I was working on it, but I realized that I needed to releasesomething, so I decided to hold off on a public API and get plugins working with the private API for now, and then worry about getting the public API ready. Ideally, I'd like for the public API to work like the private API, since I really like it :)
> > Help with development would be awesome! There's so much that would be awesome to see in this version. The core code is looking pretty stable :)
> > Tim
> > takabanana wrote:Any updates on Astrid 3.0? Looking forward to GTD and Toodledo support! Would love to help with development too... -taka -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Astrid Power Users" group. To post to this group, send email toastri...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email toastrid-powe...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power?hl=en.
>
> >  --
>
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Astrid Power Users" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to astrid...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to astrid-power...@googlegroups.com.
> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/astrid-power?hl=en.
>
> >   --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Astrid Power Users" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to astrid...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > astrid-power...@googlegroups.com<astrid-power%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>

[Piotr Krukowiecki]

On Tue, Dec 29, 2009 at 12:48 PM, Odin Omdal Hørthe
<odin....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Mon, Dec 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM, Piotr Krukowiecki
> <piotr.kruko...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I'm looking for a simple TODO/Wishlist/GTD app that supports following use
> > cases/features:
>
> Oi! This is just what I also want. Please elaborate what you
> liked/disliked with the other apps. I haven't set out time to think

Here's a quick list. I have used the applications for short time only,
so there might be some ways/workaround/misunderstandings in the list
below. Understanding some ideas like "context" or "next action" might
require knowledge of the application and/or GTD terminology.

Shuffle (1.3.1):
+ integration with calendar
+ open-source
- actions can have only one context
- action must be in some project to disappear from "inbox" (all new
actions go there).
- "next action" is not configurable - it always takes first action
from each project
- no widget

OpenLoopz (1.4.0.1):
+ action can have more than one context
+ subactions
+ priorities
+ special contexts: location (actions are displayed when close to
certain places), time (displayed on certain time), contact (connected
with a contact)
+ "next actions" configurable (it's just a context)
- no calendar integration
- no widget
- some other inconveniences connected with subactions
- not open-source
? "stale actions" - not sure is advantage or disadvantage...

Evernote (1.1.5.1)
- you need to register before first use...

From the list above I liked OpenLoopz the best - if only it was open-source...
Shuffle just didn't fit with me :/

Astrid is nice and has most of features I need. What I didn't like was
having only one list, so everything goes into the widget.

[Tim Su]

Awesome! I will take a look. I've cc'd the Astrid list, so if other folks are interested, I can make an APK.

Don't worry about leaving the Astrid project for now. I still need to work on the API, I'll get everything onto the public API once it's ready. For now, just worry about functionality :)

Did you want to push this to github? Or do you want me to merge it into the Astrid 3 development branch for now? It's probably easier to do that as long as we're not breaking each other I would guess.

I just wrote a lightweight database service layer for RTM to store lists. Let me know if you want to take a look at it, it's really simple to use.

Tim

Javier Fenoll Rejas wrote:

Hi Tim and Taka,

After strugling with some things, I think I have a first beta version on a contexts plugin for astrid. It still need a lot of work, mainlly in styling, and providing map funtionality to the contexts with location.

I also need to make the code independent from the main astrid branch, but for the moment it is easier to develop it within the main branch.

But I think it worths sowing it to you so that I know if I am moving in the right direction.

So please find attached the whole eclipse project.

The functionality so far is:

1.- Contexts details on task
2.- Asociate contexts to tasks
3.- Create, edit and delete contexts
4.- Simple filters by context

So far, the mayor issue I have found is that I needed to create a new table, as ther is no API call to create tables, I do it everytime certain object is created within the plug in and do nothing if the table already exists,, wich works ok but may not be optimum.

Maybe whenever I try to create the plug in as and stand alone project I found more dificulties :)

I hope you like it.
Javier

On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 5:10 PM, Javier Fenoll Rejas <jafe...@gmail.com> wrote:

ups I think I forgot to put Taka in copy in mi last email

Sorry :)

Javier

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Javier Fenoll Rejas <jafe...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Astrid Power Users] Re: Astrid 3.0 Beta
To: Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com>


In fact nearlly everithing can be seen as a tag somehow. List, contexts and even contacts can be stored as tags. 

But from my point of view, tags a more dinamic, and a tag does not exist by itself, I mean, when no more taks refer to a specific tag, it is gone, no longer there.

While lists can exist by themselves, I may have a list called 'PersonalTasks', and even if no tasks are associatd to it at a given time, I still want the list to exist, and want to be able to query it and see that I have nothing to do.

As I see it, it should be more or less the same with contexts.

More concrete, and regarding contexts that is what I am trying to build right now:

1- I want to have a predefined list of contexts, I should be able to create new ones and delete the ones I dont want.
2- I want to be able to select from a list the contexts that apply to a task.
3- I want to have several filters that take contexts into account.
4- I want my Astrid context to be able to store other information like geolocalization (to be able to display them on a map), etc.
5- I want to be able to syncronize my Astrid contexts with RTM ,etc. ontexts.

Because of 1 and 4 I think I need a contexts table, but I know this makes things more dificult to develop, and also in case of backup/restore.

I tryed to use the metadata table for that, then I created a list of contexts asociated with task -2, this way I have a list of context that persist, but i do not know if it is a good move, and also 4 is not covered.

So moving in that direction of having a new table (40% done) I ended up using some classes that are not really exposed on the Astrid plug in API (for accesing the database, etc.like importing com.todoroo.android.data.AbstractDao) this way I can build code that looks more or less the same as Astrid's one, wich I think makes it better to maintain in the future (as always will be linked to Astrid).

Then, I store the context name as metadata to asign contexts to tasks.

For me, if I do not build this kind of additional complexity to contexts, they are not more than a tag, and really no plug in is really needed for them, contxt woul just be a tag starting with @  for example.

How do you see it? Am I completelly wrong?

On Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 4:14 PM, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:

My view of plugins is that they should be as modular as possible in order to be re-usable. Say RTM (or some other external service) uses contexts - it can reuse the context plugin. Furthermore, people can replace context plugins  for additional functionality, I decided to go plugins because I'm pretty convinced that there is no one-size-fits-all task manager.

Lists:
 - what are lists, and how are they different from tags?
 - the "filters" activity shows all of the user's filters. A filter is just a SQL query - it could be tied to a list (i.e. select from tasks where list = 'zzz') but it doesn't have to.
 - I'm working on RTM Lists - I'm just implementing these as a RTM list id that is associated with each task.

Contexts:
 - there is a table for you, it's called "metadata" and it stores arbitrary key/value pairs. See the tags plugin for how to access the metadata table

Contacts:
 - this would be neat. I can totally envision a plugin for attaching a task to an action, like emailing or calling a contact.

Filters:
 - it is possible to let users build their own filters dynamically, since the request for filters is handled at run-time.

Next Steps / Subtasks:
 - I can see this being implemented as a plugin. One vision would be context-menu item for a task: "Create Followup Task", or "Break into Subtasks", and some sort of UI for picking an existing task or tasks that your task depends on. You wouldn't get the visual cue of having subtasks indented beneath tasks (this would require some work on the core code), but you would get the desired functionality, where dependent tasks are hidden until needed.
 - You might need to come up with an "is blocked" metadata item and whenever a task is completed, this value is re-computed for all tasks that have a link to the completed one.

One core feature I'd like to create is the ability to re-order plugins - for example, if users want to see their RTM filters first on the list. There just needs to be a UI for changing the priority of registered plugins. Right now this is not there.

Tim

Javier Fenoll Rejas wrote:

Hi Tim and Taka,

This seems like a great idea, I already started to build an contexts extension and already come to a point where I need to start doing some design decisions and 'ask' for some API functionality :)

Although Astrid 3 may be kept as and 'simple' to do list, building a plug in to support GTD could be great, my first question would then be, just one plug in? or a series of them (on for contexts,other contacts, etc...)?

In the same way RTM can be set up to be a great GTD tool, Astrid with proper setup and plug ins could also be great for GTD.

Setting up some lines to see what we aim/need to do seems like a great idea.

From my point of view, the integration with RTM could be a very good way to figure out how we need to start with things. I follow this doc on how to use RTM for GTD that gives some good ideas http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2008/05/guest-post-advanced-gtd-with-remember-the-milk/

So my first list of things we need is:

1.- Lists : being able to associate a task to a list/project. We will have some predefined lists, but users should be able to create new ones (how this could be synchronized with RTM?) Tim, are you already working on this for Astrid core? I have seen the Inbox, All tasks filters already there...

2.- Contexts : manage contexts and associate one with each task (in RTM does not really have  contexts, they are substituted by locations and also as tags starting with @  so here we have a point we need to be aware of when integrating with RTM) We should start simple here, then latter on we could think about integration with Locale, GPS, ...  So at first, create contexts (a name) and associate them to tasks.  We could provide a first series of contexts but users should be able to add/modify them. I already started with this, and I came to a point where I think I need a table to store contexts, Tim, how do you see creating new tables?

3.- In RTM, next and waiting actions are defined by using tags (I use for this tasks staring with _) but there is not really a definition of following tasks, and it is on the 'weekly' revision when you mark tasks as next. I do not know if we could define a 'parent task' (or several parents) and automatically assign the tag _na to a task once its parent is done.

4.- Filters. when everything else is working, having well defined filters allow to really focus on Getting thinks Done, (this is managed on RTM using smart list), I see not problem here with Astrid, we just need to define the proper filters, and maybe provide son functionality so that the user could build their own ones 'easilly'. So that if they create a new list, somehow it is taken into account on existing filters, or new ones cam be created easily.

5.- Although contacts are not really paramount for GTD, I really see associating certain tasks with contact very productive (what GTD is all about really)

6.- Then, once we have all this working, we could thing of extra functionality to simplify the weekly revision, and other GTD 'tasks'



Uff, quite a long email, should we try to


By the way...Happy and productive 2010
Javier

On Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 8:48 PM, Tim Su <t...@todoroo.com> wrote:

Taka / Javier,

I thought I'd get a discussion started with both of you - both of you are interested in implementing different components of GTD for Astrid.

Maybe you guys could figure out a set of things that are needed & a priority for them, so you can start working on stuff / asking API questions / etc? Below are both of your most recent e-mails.

---

There's not really specific documentation about creating plugins yet - the API is still evolving. The next step would be to check out the code for the current plugins (reminders and tags). Here's the javadoc (may be out of date):

http://timsu.github.com/astrid-3.0/

If you've used subversion, git should be a bit similar, but with some key differences. You can clone my repository, and if you like, sign up for a github account and push your own repository that I can merge from.

If the plugin API is insufficient (and it probably is), let me know and we can schedule in improvements. For example, the context menu when you long-press a task is loaded before the list is loaded, so right now there's no way to read information about a task and display task-specific context menu items, but it's something that would be easy to add.

Tim

taka torimoto wrote:

Hi Tim,

So I assume the Plugin model is still evolving - although mostly complete?
Is there a set of available APIs documented somewhere, or a sample "skeleton" plugin that shows the basics of how the APIs are used and how a plugin could work? My biggest frustrations so far with all GTD implementations has been:
1. Many do not allow automatic "hiding/showing" of subtasks that are not on "top of the list" - one method of GTD is how you can hide tasks that are in sequence, but are not "next" to do - but the next items in sequence automatically "pop up" when the Next item is done.  i.e. if you need to do A-B-C-D in sequence, there is no need to show B-C-D in your "Next Actions" list.  But as soon as A is complete, B should show up (get toggled from "hidden" to "show" in Next Actions).  Of course it can get more complicated if the required Context for each is different, and they can also be done in parallel.
2. Allow a VIEW that can show multiple Contexts: i.e.  If we have contexts: @PC, @Work, and @Home - if you are at work, you may need to see the Next Action view of both @PC and @Work since you have a PC at work.  Similarly, at home, you may want to see the Next Action for @PC and @Home since you have a PC at home.
3. Simplicity.  Some of the GTD applications on Android are WAY too complicated.  Entering tasks into the Inbox should be simple and quick and straightforward.  The processing screen should give the nitty gritty details.  Some of us forget our items quite easily if we dont write them down right away :-)

So yes, I'd be very very interested in helping out.  Started reading my first Android development book over the holidays... I can try looking at the Astrid 3.0 code (I'm familiar with Subversion - that's what I use at work) - but let me know if there is any sample code or documentation specifically in creating Plugins.
Thanks!

-Taka

Javier Rejas wrote:

Hi Tim,

I already got Astrid3 from github and was able build/run it on the emulator. I cloned the tags plug in and I am mplaying with it, trying to learn :) so far looks promising, but it not until you start to really build something usefull when you find a feaures you miss :)

There are a couple of things I would like to start working on.

1.- plug in for contexts set up.  Being able to create contexts, and later on add them to tasks selecting from a list. Create filter based on contexts and those kind of things.  In case a context refers to a specific location (like home for example), i would lke to be able to associate a coordinate on the map (using g maps?) to it, I need to llok at locale to see how this both things could be integrated, maybe define locations on locale and import them to Astrid? ,Maybe the other way around?

2.- A plug in to associate a contact/contacts to a task, and a role. I would need to conect to Android contect and link to them, also create a role so that you can specify if the contect is asociates to send him a emial, phone call, wait for some action from him,...

As you se, I still need some investigation and fine definition of the functionality I would like to create. Any ideas?  As soon as I start building something I will keep you posted on the evolution of things and the limitations I may find (hopefully none :)  )

[djnutz]

If you guys make the apk ill install this as soon as I get the email.
Have a G1 and Nexus. From the conversations everything souns great.
Quick question - is there going to be a linkification setting so that
addresses can be opened with maps (even in the notes of a task), phone
numbers pull up the dialer, web the browser, and maybe a long press to
share, email, copy etc the task?

Great work.

- Ryan

[Tim Su]

Tried out the plugin. A couple comments:

- first of all, great start :)
- I cleaned up the "Select Context" dialog a bit - change the icon for adding a new context, make the dialog always full width, cause it to refresh when you create a new context. I think these are simple things that add to the usability.
- Also, I had to clean up the Context Service class, as it wasn't working in the code you sent me. Not sure if you sent me an old version or what - but I added some methods that were required to read context data out of the db. I'm also storing context id's instead of names with the tasks, so you can rename a context and it works as you'd expect.
- I pushed my changes github in the master branch. If you aren't familiar with git, you want to do a git pull to merge from upstream. I usually try to have no uncommitted changes before I upstream, just so there's less likelihood of losing data.

In terms of maps integration, this is something that I had thought about way back for Astrid, but then I realized that Locale the android application allows you to assign actions to locations, and it handles all of the map picking for you. I decided to write a plugin for Locale instead of making my own map picking activity. What do you think about that?

The next thing then would be to optimize the list of "Filters" for contexts. Some filters that would be useful probably would be:
 - "Current Context(s)" - you'd figure out which contexts apply currently and when the user wants to filter by current context(s), you can automatically show tasks that are relevant
 - "No Context" - tasks without a context

Let me know if you have other feedback, and again, great work!

Tim

Javier Fenoll Rejas wrote:

maybe the best way would be to merge the classes I created with astrid3.0 github, I just created new files, the only thing I touched extra was the manifest file to add the new activities. Maybe a branch on astrid 3 gihub would do the trick, can I do it? Do you want me to do it?

I will add more functionality to the contexts plugin, the main thing I want to do is integration with maps, I have some ideas, but any functionality you may think useful is welcomed :)

Javier

[Javier Fenoll Rejas]

Hi Tim,

Yeap, I think I sent some old code, in my last version the location edit text is top justified for example, sorry :(

But in fact it is quite strange as I do not see the changes you talk about on the code that is in GitHub ¿?

My problem with locale is that some users may not have/want it now that it is nearly 10$.  So while I think a locale plug is would be great for what locale can do, some basic mapping on the contexts plug in won't be bad.

In fact I already have something with maps working, my idea is that the context location could be picked/searched within the map, and that later on, within filters, you could see a map with all tasks 'near' you, based on the contexts they may have associated.

I will try to do something, let you see it, and them we could decide if it worths it.

How should I proceed?  Create a branch on your github to upload my changes or just work on my machine and then zip them to you whenever I have something?

Javier