What are the top five features you want to add to MLO?

[Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)]

Many people want to improve MLO with more powerful features to make it
even better. Please help me define what are the top features people
want to implement next. Everyone who wants to improve MLO can post
here the list of features they want but ... *only* after the features
they already like in MLO :-).

So the format of the posts in this thread is as follows:
1) What features I LIKE most in MLO (as many as you want )
2) Top five features I want to be added (please no more than five).

Please think of your top five features only. I know that it is hard to
select only five from your list but please try.
Let me start this thread myself as MLO user and not as MLO
developer :-)


1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------
- advanced filtering and views of to-do list - supper cool! :)
- parsing: "Call Katrin tomorrow 15pm remind me" - Ctrl+Enter in
Outline. No clicks to assign time
- hotkeys. Adding tasks to the outline is very fast.
- lightweight application: starts fast, works fast, not much memory
used.
- sophisticated recurring tasks (recur when any subtask is completed,
etc)
- Synchronization and collaboration (PocketPC, LAN data file, FTP,
Outlook)
- I can run MLO from USB drive (only mlo.exe is needed for this)
- Open/closed and included contexts
- assign context using assigned shortcuts (introduced in beta)
- complete subtask in order to create sophisticated "active"
checklists
- reminders
- easy project tracking
- Copy/paste outline as text (Task->Advanced->Copy tasks as text)
- Fast bookmarks in Outline (Ctrl+Shift+0 to set Ctrl+0 to jump)
- Zoom-in / Zoom-out to concentrate on particular project
- MLO community :-)


2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------
- Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
tasks)
- Task Dependencies (do not show task in To-Do until some tasks from
other branches are completed)
- Color Coding
- MLO analytics (statistics, graphs, reports how many tasks completed
last week etc, etc)
- PocketMod / iPhone version of MLO :-)


What is your list?

Andrey.
MLO user (and developer).

[Dmitry_N]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

- advanced filtering and views of to-do list - very nice!

- lightweight application: starts fast, works fast, not much memory
used.
- sophisticated recurring tasks (recur when any subtask is completed,
etc)

- Open/closed and included contexts

- complete subtask in order to create sophisticated "active"
checklists
- reminders
- easy project tracking

- MLO community

2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------
- Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
tasks)
- Task Dependencies (do not show task in To-Do until some tasks from
other branches are completed)
- Color Coding

- Neater interface.
- "Task shortcuts" - links from tasks to other tasks (a very-very old
plan of yours which has never been implemented so far, remember? -
http://improvement.ru/discus/messages/14/432.html)

[tomd]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO

- filtering and views, that's probably no 1
- adequate no matter whether you have complex or simple needs, quick entry of data
- auto archive, backups
- hoisting (zoom in, zoom out)
- complete subtasks in order
- can be run in Linux if need will arise

2) Top 5 to be added
- Color coding

It's a topic I didn't think about for a long time, so I have only one
top as above, some minor ones that come to mind right now are more
comprehensive xml export, progress icon instead of checkbox icon for
project items, richtext note field, ...

Tom

[Steve Wynn]

Top Features I like in MLO

1) Speed and ease of data input. I have to be honest one of the main reasons I stick with MLO is due to this reason. I can quickly enter a task without messing with check boxes, properties etc. Until I come to a time when I am ready to structure and plan a little more.

2) Advanced Filtering - Obviously a new addition but as I found on numerous occasions there is real power in this functionality. Things I thought I couldn't do, have been possible with a little bit of experimentation with the filtering.

3) Flat ToDo List structure - I questioned this aspect some time ago, but mainly because I wanted some form of grouping within the ToDo list. The flat structure combined now with the advanced filtering I think works really well. It keeps things simple.

4) Priority Algorithm - I know people have issues and difficulties with this aspect. But for me as I only order mostly based on urgency with importance playing a minor role. It works well and as I would expect it to work.

5) MLO PPC - I have a love/hate relationship with my PPC to be honest. I go through phases of using it all the time, to phases of just pushing it to one side. But out of all the applications I have used on the PPC, I have had the least amount of problems with MLO PPC. Especially Sync Wise. The sync seems robust, and I have no concerns about making changes either side, PPC or Desktop. With a lot of other applications I would only use the PPC side for reference as the two way sync is iffy to say the least.

6) Developers - I have yet to find developers more open and willing to take on board user comments, feature requests etc. I think they do a great job. Although features might not be as quick as we all want, because we all want it yesterday, the developers are always on the ball when it comes to bugs. This is what I think is the mark of good development, how quickly do bugs get resolved. Obviously MLO is pretty stable overall, but when we have had issues new releases fixing the problems have flown out. Bravo.

7) User group - I think there is a great bunch of people here. I have received no end of help, especially with Auto-Hotkey scripts. This just makes the use of MLO more enjoyable. We might be opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to the functionality we think should be in MLO, calendar for example, but I think we all have the same goal at heart. To make MLO a kick-ass product, that suits the majority of the users requirements.

 

8) Structure of the functionality, I don't know how to explain this but I suppose what I mean is the most used features are easily accessible. The advanced functionality is in essence where is should be, underneath the surface.  This can be a little awkward for new users, but at the same time I think MLO has the right balance.

 

Features I would like to see added,

 

1) Colour Coding, Flags, Separator lines. Anything to just highlight specific tasks within the ToDo list and Outline.

 

2)  Group option. I know we have contexts, but I view them as categories as such. You could have an item belonging to multiple categories @Computer, @Internet, @On-line etc. But it would only belong to one group, for example [Business], [Home] etc. Groups could be used for a number of things, Focus Areas for example.  Ordering could then be done via group then context. I sort of view them as higher in the structure than contexts. You can sort of do this with contexts at the minute, but having them as separate would allow for more specific functionality, reports etc.

 

3) Follow-up activities, mark a task complete and it creates a follow-up. I have an auto-hotkey script to do this at the moment but it would be nice if it made it into standard functionality. My thinking was a properties option, 'create follow up' so you could define which tasks require a follow-up.

 

4) Automatic rollover of tasks, configurable option.  Dated items automatically rollover to the next day either at the start of the day time wise or at first launch the following day. Ideally I would like to extend Midnight combined with this, so I could push the end of the day to 02:00 am for example. Shift working in mind.

 

5) Memo items - This can be achieved at the moment by just defining a task. But I would like to see memo items as a specific option. So anything defined as a memo a) Appears at the top of the ToDo List b) Appears in all ToDo lists regardless of options c) Roll's over to the next day if not complete d) Has no real options apart from recurrence ability, memo title, start/due date and notes. So generally you might put something on the list like 'Pickup some Milk'. You want to be reminded of this, but its no big deal if you don't do it. These memo items could also be used as annual reminders, events etc.  The key with these I think is their visability and why I think they should differ from normal tasks etc. It should be in your face all of the time and ignore any filtering apart from advanced options to hide memo items.

Well that's my top five at the moment.  But again really with most of these I have found ways to workaround which I think is actually quite a credit to MLO as a product.

 

All the best

 

Steve

[Luciano Passuello]

Here it goes!

What features I LIKE in MLO

============================
(oh, so many, let's try to keep it at 5)

1. Advanced filtering and Views
2. MLO PPC
3. Usability - quick entry dialog, keyboard shortcuts, clean interface
4. Automatic Priority - it really helps me as a guide to pick my
activities
5. Robust dated items/recurrence management

Top five features I want to be added

====================================
1. Filtering/views in PPC (even if not editable - e.g. define them on
desktop and sync views to PPC)
2. Color Coding
3. Task templates (with properties presets, such as effort, start
date, etc.)
4. Rich-text editing in notes field
5. Multi-Select/change properties all at once

I can't thank you enough for making this such a great product!!
Let us know anytime you need ANY help!

Best Regards,

Luciano Passuello
http://litemind.com
~Exploring ways to use our minds efficiently.

[xk15]

I found the idea very good. My results are:

1) what i like on MLO:
- all topics of your mail
- define project
- todo list view
- .....

2) TOP 5 for i wait:
- filter in outline view like in beta for todo
- simple reporting and printig (my way now: MLO --> MindMap --> Word)
- simple way to switch between task notes and properties or display in
one window
- colors for tasks or lines
- A GERMAN VERSION

3) What i dont like
- new design of beta version
- when i click on a task, the day an date are not display in the
outline list
- past days with daynames (monday, ...) in lists are not good - better
date (12.02.2008); for tasks in future it is ok.

thank you for the super job!

ciao - greeting from austria!

[blueSky]

1) More flexible goal setting eg Quarterly and six months goal setting
2) Much more flexibility on printing reports
3) Ability to adjust font size and colour to facilitate identification
of certain tasks
4) Ability to see the total number of Tasks - you can see number of
Tasks for each context but thats all
5) Bi-directional email links

[Iain]

Bearing in mind I don't, at the moment, use half the features that are
available, I like:

1. The option to keep things as simple or as complicated as you want.
2. Easy sync with PPC.
3. Decent PPC version.
4. Active development/user feedback.
5. It's a neat, small application.

Things I'd like to see:
1. Calendar. I'd love to be able to use MLO as normal, then pluck
items off the to-do list into a calendar. Even just to be able to see
tasks with start and end dates, so I can schedule other stuff around
them.
2. Keep it as simple to use as it is now. IMHO, as soon as you need a
manual to use software, it's got too complicated or fussy.

[mikemac]

Top feature I want added is task dependencies. When I enter a project
I can use the "complete in order" function but that isn't enough to
really capture the project the way it needs to get done.
Dependencies would be much better for entering a project with several
tasks, some of which can't be started until earlier ones are
completed.

The 2nd feature I'd like to see is a "project catchup" button. I
have several daily tasks I schedule under a project "daily tasks".
If I'm away from my computer for a few days, all of a sudden I have a
bunch of things that are several days overdue. There is a feature to
catch up each task, one at a time, to the current day. As an
extension of this, I'd like to see a feature to do the same thing for
all the tasks under a project.

[Nebari]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

I've been using MLO for a long time now and can quite honestly say I
love all of it, although the addition of the advanced filtering has
been a revelation! I recommend this software to all who will listen!
=)

I can't really point to specifics, although I would point out I love
the fact I can use the tool in so many ways either in a very simple /
lightweight manner, or in a more complex way if need be.

2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------

- Color Coding & Icons
- Color Coding & Icons
- Color Coding & Icons
- Color Coding & Icons
- Color Coding & Icons

This will make the tool perfect for me - I can't get across to you how
much this will improve things for me.

[BOC]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

- Small, easy to use program.
- It's never crashed on me, bogged my system down, and I've never lost
any data because of the program.
- Outlook sync based upon advanced filtering. I can send over the
tasks I choose (combination of open and completed), then sync to my
PPC to use PB & PI.
- Advanced filtering with groups and views that can be saved.
- AutoArchive. I like that my old tasks are cleaned out at an
interval I set and saved where I can go back and review if necessary.
- Autosave appears seamless and I don't know of an instance where it's
failed me.
- Backups - Daily, Weekly, & Monthly, but also saving X number of
copies. I haven't had to use a backup data file yet but it's
comforting knowing it's there (in multiples).
- Insert Date & Time. I find myself hitting F4 in other applications
by habit!


2) Top five features I want to be added (Reviewed feature list:
http://mylifeorganized.net/products/my-life-organized/features-plan.htm
and added some recent discussions)
------------------------------------------------

I had to think about what would change how I work and help me get more
done. List not in order.

1. #F809 Create history of completed tasks in Project notes

2. #F20 Multiselect in the outline

3. Notes field more visible (
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/14558cd302f8a2cf
) while not loosing access to properties.

4. Container for Outline view. My outline has grown and I think a
simple "container" system may re simplify my workload. I.E. a
definable containers such as Work (
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/1c05cdf58b77718b
). Maybe it's a function of having the top level task a larger text
so it's easier to drill down. . .I'm not sure I can even clearly
formulate the feature.

5. Very similar and they're probably based upon the same idea. I
would like to have a subtask be due X number of days after the task
above has been completed.
#F539 Advanced Timed Chain of Events
#F518 Task templates


DIDN'T MAKE THE SHORT LIST
#F43 Field "task assigned to a person" and view by this field
#F108 follow-up function for a task - ask to input new task once you
complete this task

[Ron Stockfleth]

Features I like most in MLO

1. Next Action generator for the To Do view (pre-Advanced Filters).
Only showing tasks in the To-Do view based on specific properties
(Complete subtasks in order, Start Date, To-Do visibility, open/closed
contexts, etc.) makes MLO a great tool for those practitioners of the
Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology.

2. Simplicity of entering and organizing tasks and their essential
properties.

3. Powerful program that runs on a small footprint. I can run MLO on
an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) with limited RAM, and still get great
performance. Not so with other applications I have tried running on
this particular form factor.

4. Licensing / Portability - I currently use 3 computers (desktop,
tablet PC, UMPC) with one MLO license and my MLO data is synchronized
seamlessly between the 3 computers using Offline Folders with Vista
Ultimate.

5. Recurring tasks are well thought out and highly useful

6. Advanced Filtering - Although I still prefer the standard To-Do
view (pre-Advanced Filters), I believe Advance Filtering will broaden
the user base to practitioners of productivity methodologies other
than GTD. However, the additional functionality of Advanced Filters
has made the program somewhat more complex and has caused confusion
among some users attempting to use the new functionality.

7. Portabiltity to Pocket PC Platform - This was THE reason for me
trying out MLO in the first place three years ago. But the desktop
application has improved so much over the past 3 years, that I
purchased a UMPC just so I could have the MLO desktop application with
me everywhere I go!

Additional Features I would like to see added:

1. Customizable goals (Today, Tomorrow, This Week, Next Week, etc.)

2. Ability to select contiguous or non-contiguous multiple tasks and
change task properties with one action.

3. Drag-and-drop tasks in the To-Do view - This feature would allow
the user to manually order tasks in the To-Do view to his/her liking.
This would be most helpful when the To-Do view is filtered by a simple
context (i.e. @Errands). It would most likely be not useful for any To-
Do view that includes a grouping of any kind

Ron

[matthias]

Things I like most:
=============
1. Filtering
2. Sync (especially the FTP option)
3. Input parsing
4. Hotkeys
5. Ease / speed of use
6. Support: VERY fast reaction for support emails


Things I like to see:
==============
1. Better handling of context inheritance
(don't remove all contexts when dragging a task to another branch
in the outline - just remove the old inherited ones and add the new
about-to-be-inherited ones,
don't remove all contexts when entering contexts by parsing, just
add the entered ones.)
2. Next actions to obey sorting rules - not just the order of the
outline
3. Search & REPLACE
4. Sync should be able to sync everything (filters, configuration) -
not just the tasks
5. Calendar view

Matthias

[Sergey Pavlenko]

Hello Andrey,

You've created interesting topic :)
So,

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

Almost all, especial
- the idea to get prioritized To-Do list from Tasks
- import from XML (allows me to create/edit templates of work
procedures)
- PPC version
- filtering
- lightness and simple interface
- new compacted layout
- and other comfortable features (reminders, parsing, etc)

2) Top five features I want to be added

----------------------------------------------
- task dependency on other tasks and resources
- time calculations for prioritization tasks (if i have deadline of
monthly report during business trip then deadline must be before trip)
- "Waiting" list for tasks which require external data/resources to
continue (if specified timeout occurs task returns back from Waiting
to ToDo list)
- workload calculations for reports and planning of feature
- visualization: Gantt chart (zoom project) and calendar (see
appointments)

And let me thank you one more time for your efforts and nice product!
Good luck!

///Sergey


On Mar 19, 1:39 pm, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

[Andy Red]

1. What features I LIKE in MLO:
--------------------------------------------------
a) Advanced filtering and views of to-do list - excellent!
b) Synchronisation with Outlook based on remembered filtered to do
list - this is genius - by using the filtering system you've already
developed for the To-Do list, you get more sync options than you could
throw a train full of geeks at!
c) Lightweight application: starts fast, works fast, not much memory
used - what a relief from all Microsoft apps, Solidworks etc.
d) Assign context using assigned shortcuts.
e) Complete subtask in order to create "active" checklists.
f) Easy project tracking.
g) Fast bookmarks in Outline (Ctrl+Shift+0 to set Ctrl+0 to jump)
h) Zoom-in / Zoom-out to concentrate on particular project
i) The MLO community.
j) Developers - good feedback and quality. Even if it is a bit slow -
better it's done well. **sigh** we all love it so much we want more
goodness now!

2. Top five features I want to be added (in priority order):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
tasks) YES PLEASE!
2) Colour Coding / Formatting of tasks / Icons. This would really help
finding your way around a long outline. I'd like to set the top level
tasks/projects as: BIG & BOLD. In addition, (with multi-select) can
make whole chunks or just individual tasks the colour/font/style of
your choice. New tasks inherit formatting of parents or siblings
(settable).
3) Task Dependencies (do not show task in To-Do until some tasks from
other branches are completed).
4) TIME Recording with MLO analytics. I'd really like to be able to
record the time I spend on billable work tasks, with good analysis and
reporting.
5) Rich text notes, with formatting retained from cut & paste
hyperlinks and webpages. Easy links to OneNote and Evernote pages in
notes.
6) Woops - slip another one in - I just read Steve's idea about
rollover tasks - like that too, good for recurrent daily stuff like
"Tidy Desk". Don't want it showing as overdue all the time if I've
forgotten to mark it complete.



On Mar 19, 11:39 am, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

[Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)]

Woow! I see people like this thread! :)

So much food for me to analyse what people use/like from implemented
features and what are the priorities for the next release planning.

Thank you for the feedback and for following the rules to post to this
thread.

Andrey.

P.S. blueSky and mikemac - you seem did not follow the rules to post
in this thread :) So before you say what you want from MLO can you
tell as what you use everyday and really like?

[Andy Red]

Great thread Andrey - good idea to limit it to 5. Thanks

On Mar 20, 4:28 pm, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

[Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)]

Yes I like it also and encourage other people to keep posting here. Do
not hesitate :)

> > tell as what you use everyday and really like?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[mlo_user_08]

Here's my two cents....

What I Like
-------------
1) Developers responsiveness to the community. Regular, quality
releases make a huge difference in terms of faith in the product and
it's future.
2) Synchronization, both FTP and local. Since everything just short of
my passwords are in my List, I need to know that it's backed up and
safe.
3) Simple, small, and feature adaptable. The product doesn't need a
manual (though it's sometimes helpful), lean (although it's a bit
slower with some more recent releases), and the features are adaptable
to the system I'm trying to implement for thought, reminder, to-do, or
reference items at the time.
4) Portability. I can carry my app, my files, and my license all in
one place. If I have to pave my machine and reinstall the OS, I'm up
and running in no time. No delayed license authentication, no
installation, no fuss and bother.
5) MLO community. I look forward to the email in the morning that has
the posts from the prior day.
6) An excellent PPC companion product with non-activesync
synchronization. I don't use Outlook, and the PPC is my on the go Do-
List.

What I'd Like
-------------
1) Color Coding (and Icons so I can make my folders look like
folders)
2) Multiple-Item Selection! It's a pain to pick each thing
individually and move them from my Inbox.
3) A Calendar View (READ-ONLY!) would be nice. It's difficult-- if not
impossible,to beat a well-organized list, but seeing the data in a
different View would have some value.
4) Faster synchronization with PPC. I can sync from the PPC to the PC
in ~60 seconds, but it takes a good 10-15 minutes when sending
modified data back down to the handheld. It works, but I need to plan
the end of my day accordingly.

Keep up the great work!
Looking forward to see what features we'll see sooner than later.

[Jay]

(A) what I like:
-------------------------------------------------------------
01) Advanced view filtering
02) Lightweight and fast application
03) Simple and intuitive interface
04) Easy project tracking
05) Shortcut fuctions / hotkeys
06) Multiple backupfunctions
07) ppc synchronisation (even ppc version differs in the meantimein in
To-Do view options against desktop version [no filtering])
08) direct developer-feedback
09) active community


(B) what I like to see (TOP 5):
-------------------------------------------------------------
1) Multiselect of tasks in the outline
2) Dependencies between tasks (follow up)
3) Local saved applications setting, no registry keys, which could
clean be synchronized (app settings, views, filters, context, and so
on), maybe in an INI-File.
4) Advanced analytics/statistics/reporting
5) Calendar (to overview appointments)

[DavidH]

Top Features I Like

The PPC version
Unlimited depth to which tasks can be nested.
Rapid entry parsing
Sync this view only with Outlook
Using goals to manage tasks and projects for the week, month, year
Keyboard shortcuts
Advanced filtering (though I still find this a little confusing)
Flexible reccurance (repeat when all sub-tasks are done etc)

My Top Five Desired Features:

Multiple select / drop & drag
Colour coding based on context or goal
Ability to set more goal periods; e.g. two weeks, quarter, 6 months
etc
Motivational reports
Sync follow-ups in Outlook with MLO. Currently only tasks in Outlook
(2007) get sync'ed, emails or contacts flagged with a follow-up don't
get synced.

[Jay Levitt]

What features I like (admittedly plagiarized from the best of the best):

- It's perky. MLO loads the whole program faster than Outlook can draw
its "New Appointment" window.
- It provides two views of the same data - outline (by project) and todo
(by context). That is the key feature that brought me here.
- The "Quick Entry" form is brilliant. There's a world of psychological
difference between "entry" and "processing/organizing", and I don't want
to be distracted by the outline for even a second.
- It has true, two-way, native sync with Windows Mobile and FTP
- It's keyboard accessible, which means it's scriptable with hotkeys.

- Open/closed and included contexts

- Powerful subtask semantics
- Reminders
- Insert date & time (like BOC, I hit F4 in TextMate yesterday)
- Developer feedback and community

What features I want:

1, 2, and 3. Teach the synchronization engine XML. It can be the
current MLO XML (expanded to include IDs), it can be some other XML, I
don't care. Heck, make it YAML if that's easier. Anything that other
programs can read and write.

[Soapbox]I can't emphasize this enough: If you can synchronize with MLO,
you can do EVERY OTHER FEATURE EVERYONE ASKS FOR. No, better; *We* can
do every other feature, so you don't have to.

We can do an iPhone version, a new UI, analytics, a web version,
collaborative groups, rich text, colors, icons, annotations, EverNote,
project management, dependencies, followups, wiki integration,
everything. It all follows naturally from open sync.

MLO hits the 70-80% mark of feature completion. As Microsoft learned,
the other 20-30% are different for every person. You can never possibly
satisfy any decent portion of that remainder with a single product.

MLO's light and robust enough to be its own platform; you wouldn't need
to go "convert" it into a database server. You already have the hard
part done - syncing. You just need a way to get data in and data out.
We can take care of the rest.

And if it doesn't become a platform, well.. frankly, Windows is on its
way out. It'll take 5-10 years, but look around at the coffee shops;
all the students are using Macs. Yes, you can run Parallels, and I'm
doing that - but that makes integration even harder, which will, in the
end, make Windows less important. Macs can run Windows apps, but
Windows can't run Mac apps. There are already hundreds of great, solid
programs that have no Windows version; check out OmniOutliner and
OmniGraffle. And, on the mobile side, WM6 is a dog, iPhone's already
kicking butt, and Android is coming. Unless WM7 is a huge improvement,
Windows Mobile is dead too.

I don't want to see MLO become the next HandyShopper. Please don't let
it die. Open it up a little.[/soapbox]

4. The PPC version would be infinitely more useful if I could do my
processing there. That means I need some way to easily add a context,
clean up the task properties and move them to the outline. On the
desktop, CTRL-M handles that well. I need something like that on PPC.

5. The UI is getting very "option-y"; every database and engine feature
is exposed as a checkbox. It's already confusing, and I'm a programmer!
We've learned a lot about how to expose a complex feature set in a
simple way; Office 2007 took some leaps, and other apps have innovated
as well. I'd love to see a real redesign - not by a programmer, but by
a UI designer. It'd be a huge chunk of work, though, and Delphi 7 may
not be up to the task.

Jay Levitt

[Rohan]

My favourite MLO features:
- extremely lightweight. I can't emphasise enough how good this is.
Such a tiny memory footprint, and super-fast. There are more feature
rich, prettier task managers out there, but are they as quick to start
and as quick to use.
- sync - robust and powerful. I sync to Outlook just so I can get my
tasks onto my PPC Today screen (and via SPB Diary they display very
nicely). And yes I do have MLO PPC, so perhaps I should put a MLO
Today plugin on my top 5 new list :) FTP sync is icing on the cake.
- recurring tasks are the most powerful, reliable and easy to use I've
found in any product
- concise, attractive single line display of tasks with all the
important info, good use of color for due/overdue, prefix/suffix, etc.
- compact display that you can keep open in a corner
- zooming - means I can easily combine my personal and work tasks in
one file, and zoom in on what I'm working on
- robust backup, archiving, auto-save and export/import features
- USB support - but would like it even more if it left no trace on the
PC you use it on, and settings were read from USB - hate having to
switch off one-click editing each time I'm at a different PC :)

Bottom line: MLO is a great product that has made me more organised,
and now I'm totally dependent on it - so thanks!

My Top 5 new features - not much new here, mainly +1 to other
suggestions
- extend robust Sync to include web-based services, eg. Remember The
Milk
- sync the new (ultra-cool) advanced views to the PPC version so we
can use them there (OK if they're not editable there)
- multi-select tasks for editing of common properties
- MLO analytics - there's some in the PPC version, but an enhanced set
for the desktop would be great. Motivational rewards too - similar to
Point Motivator or even some of the kids chore rewarders like
Handipoints (or is that too similar to what myLiveMotivator is going
to be?)
- rich text in the task notes. even if it's just keeping the format
of pasted-in text rather than a full editor

That should keep you busy for a while :)

cheers,
Rohan.

[wowi]

What I like:

1. light weight application, stable, causing no runtime problems as
many other applications do

2. different views on task list (hierarchy, todo, filtering, different
contexts, ...)

3. reminders

4. drag and drop of Outlook mails into MLO (suggestion for
improvement: allow also the dropping of a mail into an existing task)

5. active development and active communitive (even if I do not have
always the time to follow all new features and all discussions)

6. recurring tasks and the many possibilities to define their
behaviour


What I would like to see in future releases:

1. ability to define filters for the outline. Example: Show me all
active projects (status = "in progress") including their subtrees and
the path to the root. Other example: Show me only those tasks which
are not hidden by "hide branch in to-do-list". Maybe the filtering of
outline and todo could be combined as suggested in another thread
(which I couldn't find right now)

2. multiple select to modify properties of a number of tasks in one
step (both in outline and in todo)

3. rich text formatting in notes. Links to Evernote

4. colour coding of tasks

5. generation of pocketmod like reports

Wolfgang

[PetrH]

1)
- very powerful PocketPC version and great sync capabilities!! =
Essential thing to be productive anywhere!
- customizable hotkeys! no time wasted
- rapid task entry! no time wasted
- projects and to-do view = overview X processing view


2)

- Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
tasks)

- Color Coding
- Neater interface.

P.

[Stephen J]

Andrey,

I use MLO more than any other program I have ever used. It is always
open on my laptop and my PPC and has been for about 18mths now. I used
LB for a number of years prior to that but then changed from palm to
PPC and I am glad I found MLO.

I regularly read this forum (most days) but rarely post. Personally, I
think it is the basics of this program that make it work so well for
me and I do not have a lot of interest in many of the requested
features.

Top features I like:

PPC Version. This is a must for me
The concept of computed score and being able to sort by this
The fact that only next actions show up
Open and closed contexts and being able to select multiple contexts
for one task
All the flexibilities the properties allow. These are so simple and
yet so powerful.


Top Features I would like to see added:

The ability to show different columns in the outline and to do. Each
item has a whole range of information stored about it. Sometimes I
would just like to see it down a column.

The ability to visually schedule tasks by date. Some call this a
calender view. however, I have no interest in replacing my Outlook
Calender, I just want to be able to drag items onto days and create to
do lists for days or periods in advance. For me this would not be a
hard landscape but a planning tool.

The new advanced filtered views to be added to the PPC version. PPC is
a must for me and filtering is of little use until I can also see it
on the PPC. Currently I get the results I need by using a lot of
contexts. I don't need to be able to set up views on the PPC, just use
them. I have set up most of the views I want on my laptop, and if I
could see these on the PPC I could cut my contexts by around two
thirds

A better way to deal with tasks that I want to complete regularly but
do not have a set recurring pattern and don't need to be done on a
certain day. I currently have a range of reminder contexts for these
but I have never been able to deal with them effectively within the
software. I tried sciral consistency for a while when someone
mentioned it here, and it does a good job with those type of items
but, I do not want to use two programs.

[Martin.G]

I came across MLO through reading "Getting Things Done" and then
looking around for a practical PC-based implementation. Hence this
drives some of my likes and wants:

Features I like
____________

* A great tool dealing with a specific job, loads and runs quickly.
* Good value for money
* Creation of To Do lists (next actions)
* Reminders
* Ability to add task notes
* Recurring tasks - good flexibility
* Good help file
* Saving/reusing task templates
* A dedicated and positive user group

5 features I would like
__________________

* Option to have the start date for a task automatically set to
today. (The only thing that bugs me about the program is that the
start date automatically gets set to the due date when that is
entered.)
* I was expecting to see something which implements the "Waiting on"
part of GTD ("delegate it"). While you can achieve this my assigning
a "Waiting for" place, to my mind this is not the same as intended by
David Allen. In my mind I either expected a "Waiting on" tab next to
the "To Do" tab, and a check box to get a task displayed under the
"Waiting on" tab rather than the "To do" tab, or possibly a means of
colour coding the task to show that it is waiting on someone else to
report back. So if the forthcoming colour-coding would allow this
kind of feature, that would be fine.
* While I am reluctant to start suggesting significant new features
because you then start to lose the simplicity and speed (hence I don't
ask for rich text), there would be a lot of sense in integrating a
calendar
* Multi-select to change properties of several selected tasks (eg add
a week on to several due dates).
* Only 4 feature requests, the calendar counts as two.

[Swifty]

MLO is a great program and is open on my desktop all day!!!

The things I like best are:

* Very good synchronization with PPC. Never have a problem and the new
Sync Manager makes it even better.
* The MLO Community. The volume has gotten to a point of critical mass
such that almost any topic gets great input from a diverse set of
people. It's also one of the better forums on GTD and productivity as
well. Also the opportunity to have feedback from the developer and
contribute to the application is very motivating.
* Very fast and responsive.
* The New Filtering. This is opening up new ways to view my data every
day!
* Synchronization with Outlook. Although this could use some
improvement.


Here are my top 5 feature requests:


* Updated PPC version. Definitely need some of the new filtering
capabilities in order to be able to have similar views as the desktop
version. In general the user interface could use a re-design.... Some
often used capabilities such as assigning a weekly goal involve
navigating multiple screens and scrolling.

* Add "Today" and "Tomorrow" to the "This task is a goal for" list and
use a unique identifier or color coding to identify these in the
outline/lists. "Tomorrow" goals should automatically turn into "Today"
goals at 12am. I realize a lot of people use the weekly goal for their
hard landscape. But I like to have weekly goals established and then
identify Will Do items from this list. It doesn't always work to
assign a due date of Today (or Tomorrow) because this messes with
settings for recurring tasks with specific intervals. It also disrupts
tasks that have a very specific future due date but you only want to
add them to tomorrow's hard landscape even though they may not be
finished in a single sitting.

* More relational database capabilities. For Example I have my goals
under a separate top level parent from my focus areas. However, I
would like to have this data linked so that the pertinent goals also
show up under the focus areas itself. This functionality could be
enabled by a right-click and drag. When you release you would have
some choices such as Move..., Create Local Link, Create Virtual View, or
something similar. This would allow you to edit the data from either
location. A color coding or marker of some type could be used to show
that the data was linked.

* Provide formatting options for Task Notes. It only takes some basic
Wordpad style features such as fonts, font size, bold, bullets, etc.
to transform this into a more powerful outlining and planning tool in
its own right. Also, paste from websites and docs should keep their
basic formatting intact.

* Better integration with Outlook. First and foremost it would be nice
to engage with Microsoft again to understand the issues with current
synchronization. It is not consistent and it always takes at least 2
syncs for all data fields to be populated in Outlook.
I've had a lot frustration with getting MLO to work properly with the
GTD Add-in. MLO works properly to populate the correct UDF's in
Outlook but the GTD Add-in has a lot of problems accepting data from
an external application. There are many caveats and manual corrections
that need to constantly be made to keep this working. How about
striking up a dialog with their development team to rectify these
issues?
Better yet, why not create a simple MLO Add-In for Outlook that allows
for task generation when processing email? A first revision could
allow, for any given email, the generation of a task in Outlook
complete with a set of choices similar to what Rapid Task Entry
provides today (with the addition of Project selection, etc.) and a
selection of folders in Outlook to file the message. In addition
better two-way sync would allow the task to be synced back to MLO and
to its proper place in the outline hierarchy and with Project box
checked if appropriate, etc. This could be sold as a separate add-on
product to MLO sort of like the PPC version.


Additional Enhancement Requests that didn't make the top 5.

* A reporting module that allows for more customization over how
lists are formatted for printing.

* Multi-Select of tasks in order to change properties on multiple
items simultaneously.

* Drag and drop to add a link to an external file to the notes section
of a task.

* Allow view of multiple columns in the To Do view.

* Color coding of tasks and projects.


Thanks for the opportunity to get this all out in a single post,

Josh

[Martyn]

I haven't read anyone else's posts in this thread yet, so I apologise
if I am repeating other's ideas. I will read them all after I have
posted.

What I like:

1. Lack of colour coding -- it just adds more complexity to an
interface. Filtering is a better way to highlight particular tasks, in
my opinion. However, it would be fine as long as it doesn't have to be
used. I know that everyone wants colour coding, but I don't think I,
personally, would use it.

2. Speed of entering new tasks with Rapid Task Entry -- wonderful (but
see parsing options below).

3. Relative ease of navigating around a very long list of tasks. Lots
of helpful options here.

4. Continuous development and excellent responsiveness of Andrey.

5. Pretty much everything about MLO

6. I have tried many many other methods of organizing my time, from
tying a knot in my handkerchief to MS Project, and I still try new
software as it comes out, or major upgrades to software I have used
and discarded before, but I always come back to MLO. In fact, I never
leave it -- I use it in tandem with trialling other software. I am not
doing this because I want to change from MLO, but because I like
tinkering with new software -- much more fun than playing computer
games :) MLO is THE BEST software for keeping on top of my life, my
work, and my time.


New features that would make my use of MLO even better:

1. Timers to time tasks. Maybe each task could have a (user
selectable?) pause/play and stop icon next to it. Time would be
recorded somewhere. Does anyone use both Min and Max time required? I
would prefer "Estimated time required" and "Actual time taken" -- I
think these would be more useful for planning your day based on
historical data.

2. More parsing options, and abbreviations:

eg Example project Fri -rThu -l2 @Office -t30 -p -e4 i5 u2 -b5 -
cYellow -nAnd this is a note
-rThu = remind Thursday
-l2 = Lead time 2 days
-t30 = Time required 30 minutes
-p = This is a Project
e4 = Effort 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5)
i5 = Importance 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5)
u2 = Urgency 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5)
-cYellow = set colour to yellow
-n = Task Notes
-o = Complete subtasks in order
-b = Insert as child below Bookmark number 5 (this would override the
"Parent" option in the Rapid Task Entry box)

Defaults could be set by the user, or templates or "option sets" could
be defined, for example:
Complete report -t optionset1
-t = use a template or option set
Each option set could be a small text file, in this case called
"optionset1.txt", stored in the MLO program folder, with the parsing
options already defined. There are probably better ways than the text
file, though.

3. More commandline options (maybe like the parsing options above) so
that other programs can interact with MLO by inserting tasks and
templates. Especially, being able to insert a task at a bookmark would
be easier, I think, than having to know the Task ID.

4. Options to rearrange panels and/or show both Task Notes and
Properties panels at the same time.

5. Simple scripting to make custom "commands". I know we can use AHK,
but an MLO specific option would be preferable, and much simpler. A
"command" could be added to the menu or right click menu, as well as
having a hotkey. One example might be to make a right click option
(and shortcut) to mark a task as complete and auto-generate a new task
with a prefix of "Waiting - " and suffix of the date, and changing
context to "Waiting" (user configurable perhaps). It could be called
"Done and Wait" (sorry, I suppose that is a "sneakily added in extra
feature" I would like)


So what is the next step? Will Andrey make a complete list of the
desired features that it is possible to implement, and then put it to
a vote which ones get added first?

Martyn

[LondonTrader]

Favorite features

1. speed
2. reliability
3. unlimited depth of outline
4. zoom
5. filtering
6. Good Find system with instant results (this will be even better
when it works like google find)

5 Improvements I would like (yes I know I already slipped in an extra
one!)

1. Multiple Dependency
2. Multiple windows on same file
3. password (a basic requirement)
4. zoom on multiple branches
5. filter on highlighted items - means no need to create temporary
place/s to refine further and further a hot list - this function to
show only the items which were highlighted and can be repeated on the
resulting list

And for referral to the Pocket PC version department

1. Correction of Find bug in PPC version (requiring an initial
Tools, Database Info to make it work for some of us)
2. Get rid of Open entire outline PPC - too prone to select by
accident, then there is a long w-a-i-t. If a user wants this, there is
an Open all subtasks option.

L

[Looxer]

Hi Andrey,

Features I like about MLO
-------------------------------------
1. Lightweight application, hiding in the system tray and superfast to
load upon a hot-key press.
2. Allows me to fully control what I would see on my tasks list and
control the way tasks are prioritized. Allows me various views of my
outline in ways that I can see the big pictures and dive and focus on
the details as I see fit.
3. Advanced filtering - I have to admit I'm pretty occupied lately and
haven't had a chance to look at the new beta versions but from reading
about the new features - I can't wait to get my hands on the new
release!
4. Ability to link between tasks within MLO
5. The places/contexts - killer feature

Features I would LOVE to see in MLO
-------------------------------------------------------
1. MLO for iPhone !!! That would boost my productivity tenfold!
2. Formatting support in task notes - I extensively use the task notes
for reference and documenting progress of tasks. Formatting will
greatly help me there.
3. Collaboration - having the ability to send tasks to other people
using MLO and to get updates from them upon updates of the tasks'
status. I know MLO is focused on the personal productivity but being a
manager it would really help to be able and use MLO for tasks
management within my group.
4. Color coding
5. Exposing MLO to desktop search tools (e.g. Copernic, Google
Desktop, Microsoft Desktop Search, etc.)

Last but not least - many have said it before, but I think you guys
are making an AWSOME job here, being in touch with MLO's community and
constantly working on enhancing MLO while increasing your customers'
delight!

On Mar 19, 2:39 pm, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

> - Open/closed and included contexts

> - assign context using assigned shortcuts (introduced in beta)
> - complete subtask in order to create sophisticated "active"
> checklists
> - reminders
> - easy project tracking
> - Copy/paste outline as text (Task->Advanced->Copy tasks as text)
> - Fast bookmarks in Outline (Ctrl+Shift+0 to set Ctrl+0 to jump)
> - Zoom-in / Zoom-out to concentrate on particular project
> - MLO community :-)
>
> 2) Top five features I want to be added
> ------------------------------------------------

> - Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
> tasks)

[vikram.sjn]

Top features I like:
1. Its very fast, small, sleek
2. Its simple, and flexible
3. Computed score, and that can set both Importance and Urgency
Flat todo list, and outline
4. Zoom
5. Filtering

Top Features I would like to see added:

1. Calendar... or something such

I don't have Outlook, and don't want to use any other such calendar
tool - so what I want is some sort of alternative display that will
give me view of what I have planned in coming days or this week
(gantt, calendar, weekly schedule, whatever)... say for daily and
weekly planning. Probably people use Weekly / Monthly Goals for
this... but this does not give me a clear view, donno why but some
reason I am unable to use it properly (may be I think too much by the
calendar view)... as I cannot place the appointments there .... ....
well may be I am wrong in this - but still I will put this as number
one

2. Color coding, [and Icons] - I feel sort of blind when I see the
huge outline or todo list without colors to help me

3. Filters in Outline

4. Multiple item selection and property change

5. MLO Analytics


Some more...

6. Task Dependencies

7. More type of Goals

8. Rich text in task notes

[andreas_s]

Top things I LIKE:

1. FTP/LAN Sync - wow is that clever (for different computers AND for
group
work!), and I NEVER Lost anything
2. That deserves another point: I never crashed, I never lost data!!
And I
use every beta. ;-)
3. Filters (all possibilities from advanced filter now to computed
score,
to contexts...
4. Shortcuts! Defineable!
5. RapidTaskEntry, together with parsing
6. Fast, sleek prog with a very well balanced developer (with one of
the
best responsiveness I ever met)
7. Backup possibilities (and automatic too)
8. USBstick compatible
9. Text copy functions
10. Bookmarks
....

What 5 things I like to see next:
1. Colour coding
2. Multi selection (and being able to change attributes for all
selected)
3. Better "publishing" methods (I think about ipod and smartphone
access
possibilities, i.e. To a html-page, which gets published like ftp-sync
with
the press of a button). It is not urgent to have a full blown
PDA/smartphone version for all, since these devices get better in web
access - so a simple solution to "look into my todos from my phone"
would
be great.
4. Better printing options
5. Outline filter !

Great product, great activity. It will be a pleasure to pay for the
2.0 upgrade!
Cheers

[Mona-Lynn Courteau]

Dear everyone,

I'm a new person to MLO and am using it very simply so far. My workload is
so high that I'm waiting for the chance to sit down and think about it
properly, but joining this group has provided some really good quick tips.
When I was researching a task management software to buy, I found some very
good reports on the Web about MLO, liked the Web site, and heard that the
developer is active, so I went for it. I have no regrets at all. I have
looked at other to-do list software and this is one is the only one that
convinced me to pay and take the plunge.

Top 5 things I like:
1. It's very fast to open and never slow to run.
2. I have been able to use it to great effect in a basic way from Day 1
without a lot of study.
3. It's very flexible and has comprehensive possibilities for task
properties. I particularly like:
3a. "Complete subtasks in order."
3b. "Regenerate new task ... after each task is completed."
4. Attention to keyboard shortcuts.
5. The fact that it's supported and actively being improved.

Top 5 things I would like:

1. I use Outlook Express and would like to be able to turn an e-mail into a
task in MLO from within Outlook Express. Right now only the new version of
Outlook seems to have the ability to turn an e-mail into a task, but the new
Office suite slowed my computer to the point of unusability so I had to go
back to the 2003 version.

2. A calendar function is probably the only major thing the software does
not currently have that I'd like it to.

3. I would like to see somewhere on the Web site some kind of explanation of
what each of the bundled templates are (I'd never heard of GTD, Frank Covey,
etc): i.e. what they were designed to achieve and how their various
components are designed to work. I have not found the descriptions within
the templates themselves to be sufficient. I would also like better access
to other people's templates. I hear this already exists. Can someone provide
me with a link? I couldn't find it on the site.

4. I admit that the prospect of programming all my life into the software is
a bit daunting because I know the task list would get very long, and some
sort of icon or colour system would probably make it less scary.

5. I agree with the last poster that the printing options are not very
flexible. I found they didn't really suit my purposes when I tried them. I
wanted to fiddle with the default template but that didn't seem possible.

I would like to encourage the developer to ensure that MLO never suffers
from "software bloat," which I guess happens if it strays too far from its
original objective. To me, software bloat means two things: 1. It slows
down, and 2. Its strong functions get compromised or watered down so it's
not good at anything anymore.

And... I have a question for the people on this group which is not
MLO-related. I am looking for a well-supported e-mail software that I can
get to ask me each time whether I want to keep a copy of a message or not as
I send it, and also offers me the option of where choosing in which folder I
want the copy kept. Does anyone know of one? Please reply off-list as this
is not MLO related. Or, does anyone know of a good site that
discusses/reviews e-mail software?

Mona-Lynn

[Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)]

Thanks Mona-Lynn for your post!


I have also moved the answer to your off-topic question to this
thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/85c2e88d16d5dc9e

I set a special rule for this particular thread and I would appreciate
if there is no off-topic here. The thread will be useful for future
refference.
Thanks for your understanding.

Andrey.

On Mar 30, 3:18 am, "Richard Collings" <rcolli...@cix.co.uk> wrote:
> > And... I have a question for the people on this group which is not
> > MLO-related. I am looking for a well-supported e-mail
> > software that I can
> > get to ask me each time whether I want to keep a copy of a
> > message or not as
> > I send it, and also offers me the option of where choosing in
> > which folder I
> > want the copy kept. Does anyone know of one? Please reply
> > off-list as this
> > is not MLO related. Or, does anyone know of a good site that
> > discusses/reviews e-mail software?
>

> Clear Context does exactly what you want plus a whole stack more.  Highly
> recommended.
>
> http://www.clearcontext.com/
>
> Richard

[chuckdevee]

What I Like:
1 Intuitive UI that can be used in a way that is consistent with much
of GTD
2 Can be used on my IPAQ as well as my PC. (Very intuitive PDA
interface as well)
3 Hotkeys for adding contexts
4 Rapid Task Entry
5 Being part of the evolution of this product as new betas are
released.

New Features:
1 Remove the requirement for tasks to have start dates. (These can
still work well with the computed score methodolgy in its present
form)
2 Create more options for ordering tasks rather than the black box
'computed score' method used at the moment. Create a set of rules that
users could use to more transparently order their todo list. At
present, I use MLO more as an outliner than can segregate next tasks,
rather than an ordered to-do list because the computed score priority
doesn't quite work for me.
3 Create a Contexts tab in the Outline (in addition to the Properties
and Notes tabs) so that task categories can be easily seen and changed
in succession.
4 Multi select
5 Improve drag and drop behaviour in Outline so that hovering over a
tree node opens ONLY the next level down, not the whole branch. This
would make it much easier to drag things out of my inbox. Better still
(and in addition to this), have the inbox as a separate window that
can be displayed NEXT TO the Outline so that inbox tasks can be
dragged more easily across into the relevant place in the Outline. One
of my MLO bugbears is that moving tasks out of the Inbox tends to be
pretty cumbersome.

thanks for the opportunity to offer these suggestions.

[Alinda Helleman]

This is my input on this thread:

On 19/03/2008, Andrey Tkachuk (MLO) <for...@mylifeorganized.net> wrote:

So the format of the posts in this thread is as follows:
1) What features I LIKE most in MLO (as many as you want )
2) Top five features I want to be added (please no more than five).

 

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

- Light in resources
- A wonderfully responsive developer
- Intuitive in use
- Advanced filtering & grouping
- Advanced recurrance patterns
- Complete subtasks in order
- Reminders
- Synchronisation over LAN

- It's community

2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------

1> An extension of the complete subtasks in order, where the start and due date can be made dependent on the date/time of completion of the previous task.
2> Assign tasks to people.
3> Customizable project status.
4> Multi-select.
5> ???
 

--
Best regards,
                     Alinda

[Toes_NZ]

Hi All

What can I say, version 2 of this program is fantastic, I don't think
there is anything i don't like about it. [this is my cannot do without
task management program]

My Top 5 - In approx order [I left my reply late so that i could have
a good think].

1] Hide Future Days check box in the outline.

2] Delete items when viewing outline in any of the other views besides
all tasks [The specific view that i would like to be able to do this
in is by due date].

3] Move an items position in the outline, using the <control><m>
function while in the todo section or when in other views besides
outline

4] Some type of Calendar function [be able to select what tasks show
in the calendar]

5] Be able to password the program

NOTES
Some people have suggested that formatted notes is an important
feature to implement. I think this needs to be scoped out as to the
effect this will have on the size of the MLO data file and what impact
this will have on sync to ppc.

If this is implemented, i think it should be user switchable in
options, as i have used programs with formatted notes, but actually
love the way i can copy and past a formatted note into MLO & it
converts it to plain txt.

Last & just out of the top 5 [Got to slip one more in!]
6] PPC version needs to be improved to match where possible the
functionality and speed of the desktop version.

Andrey, Please sticky this thread to the top of the forum.

[mec]

This is a very nice post.

Synthetically:

What I like (just the main ones):
1. small and fast
2. run from an USB key
3. help to focus on relevant tasks when you have gigantic to do lists
4. flexible and customisable
5. reminders, also to my email inbox!!! (when you see many emails
about a delayed task, this really force you to do something!)
6. Developers "present" and responsive, i.e user oriented development

What I do not like:

ehm.. uh...ooh....?? ok I will think about this there is really
nothing I dislike beside, perhaps, the fact that I was tempted to use
since long it but I resisted just for the (for my pockets) relatively
high price. Now that I have bought it I do not regret any single penny
I spent!

What I would like to see:
1. Calendar (see the wonderful Essentialpim for an example of good
calendar application)
2. Export to Ical?
3. Better print templates (see ECCO for good print templates)
4. A better management of delegated or "waiting for" tasks (task in
standby since I am waiting for someone else acting
5. Multiselect

Thank you Andrey for this precious help to my working days.

Mario
Bets

[mec]

I was forgetting about something I really I am in love with:

*the colored rectangles showing when a task is due*

This really focus my view

Mario

[Hugo]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

1. Advanced filtering and Views
2. MLO PPC (but want to get an iPhone desperately - MLO PPC is the
only thing stopping me)
3. Great Sync
4. Hotkeys. Adding tasks to the outline is very fast.
5. Sophisticated recurring tasks (recur when any subtask is completed,
etc)

2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------

1. iPhone Version
2. Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
tasks)
3. Task Dependencies (do not show task in To-Do until some tasks from
other branches are completed)
4. Color Coding
5. MLO analytics (statistics, graphs, reports how many tasks complete
last week etc, etc)

Thanks
Hugo

[tomd]

Hi Hugo,
that's implemented already, see
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/8b5b6847ddc8d7c4?hl=en

[tomd]

My second, more thought-out shot, if allowed :)

I LIKE:
- filtering and views
- recurring tasks
- shortcuts for contexts
- task dependencies
- archiving and backups
- synchronization

I'D LIKE TO SEE:

- recording of time spent

- midnight shift adjustment possibility - not uncommon, I have seen it in at least four other programs I use(d)

- manual ordering of tasks in a todo view

- follow-up function for a task. Optionally, it would pre-fill with the first line from the note of the task that was just done, and inherit the note with first line deleted.

- custom columns in todo view

Moreover, notes for things too large or too general to include on the "i'd like to see" list:
New tree control (as it will bring all the neat features like multiple columns, color coding, different icon for checkbox (circle), etc.)
Statistics related enhancements, no matter whether it will be MLO Analytics, or through scriptability through a plugin, or more complete export.
Anything that goes towards data visualization and GUI enhancements.

[PetrH]

I forgot:-)

2) - drag and drop funcionality in pocketpc version

[Richard Collings]

> I'D LIKE TO SEE:
>

<snip>

> - manual ordering of tasks in a todo view
>

I'd definitely vote for this one (as I find it impossible to order things
into the order I want using the scoring tools). Did I see a posting from
Andrey at some stage to indicate that he was thinking about this.

Would also vote for

> - midnight shift adjustment possibility - not uncommon, I
> have seen it in at least four other programs I use(d)

> - follow-up function for a task.

> - custom columns in todo view

[brevious]

Hi,

What features I LIKE in MLO

============================

1. Light application - very stable
2. Easy to use - very intuitive
3. Views / Filtering
4. Zoom in
5. Active development and active community

Top five features I want to be added

====================================
1. Calendar or Graphic view
2. Color Coding & Icons
3. "Task" button in Outlook / Internet explorer / Office to send items
to MLO
4. Web synchronized (like new Evernote or Remember the Milk)
5. More Goals periods (for today, Quarter ect...)

Best regards, greetings from France.

FB.

[JeffH]

I really like MLO. I really like Andrei and his approach and
responsiveness. I didn't find the upgrade charge unreasonable. I
really like the new filtering capabilities. I want to be able to group
by has_recurrence. I have lots of recurring tasks that I would like to
separate out from the singletons. Thanks.--Jeff

On Mar 19, 7:39 am, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

<for...@mylifeorganized.net> wrote:
> Many people want to improve MLO with more powerful features to make it

> even better...

[vikram.sjn]

+1
I too require grouping by has_recurrence... to manage my lots of
recurring tasks

[James Mohr]

These have my vote:

- manual ordering of tasks in a todo view

- follow-up function for a task.
- custom columns in todo view

- native Linux version

regards,

jimmo

--
---------------------------------------
"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your
character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others
think you are." -- John Wooden
---------------------------------------
Be sure to visit the Linux Tutorial: http://www.linux-tutorial.info

[jamezzz]

I've only just purchased MLO, but I've evaluated it a number of times
throughout the years.

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
------------------------------------------------
- New Views feature. These filter views have are the main reason I
finally decided to buy.
- The Sync via FTP feature. I use this to sync between my work and
home. Almost as good as using some of the online task managers.
- The ability to hide a task or entire branches from the Todo view.
Use this for keeping tons of reference material, journal, etc.
- Being able to tag tasks as Projects and to mark them as Weekly/
Monthly/or Yearly Goals.

2) Top five features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------
- Calendar tab. The last major feature I think MLO is sorely missing.
- Ability to Schedule the Sync with FTP. Being able to sync with my
FTP site to move information from home to work is great....if you
remember to hit F9 before taking off for work. Since I always leave
MLO running in my task bar, I'd love to be able to schedule MLO to do
this sync automatically.
- Color coding would be cool.
- Text formatting in the Task Notes
- Polish the new Dependency feature!!

[mflanagan]

1) Features I LIKE in MLO
- hierarchical structure
- importance to parent
- To-Do list, based on importance (or scores, etc.)
- task notes
- reminders

2) Top five features I want added
- ability to disable 'recursive scoring' in Importance feature. That
is, if task 'n' has 'normal' importance, and its sibling task 'm' has
'more' or 'max' importance, and I'm not using computerised scoring,
then task 'm' and all its children of 'normal' or higher importance
should appear before task 'n' and all its children in the To-Do list.
- color coding
- task dependencies
- pre-written (template?) reports, etc. Perhaps based on an XML export
of my MLO schedule.

Thanks!

Regards,
Michael

[FG]

Top Features
1.Reliability
2.Speed
3.Ease of use
4. Multiple views

Top Requests
1..Multiple item drag and drop in outline view
2. Filter in outline viiew
3.Contexts embedded in right hand pane tab (as opposed to pop up
screen)
4.Color coding
5.Blackberry version
6.Analytics


On Mar 19, 1:39 pm, "Andrey Tkachuk (MLO)"

<for...@mylifeorganized.net> wrote:
> Many people want to improve MLO with more powerful features to make it

> even better. Please help me define what are the top features people
> want to implement next. Everyone who wants to improve MLO can post

> here the list of features they want but ... *only* after the features
> they already like in MLO :-).
>

> So the format of the posts in this thread is as follows:
> 1) What features I LIKE most in MLO (as many as you want )
> 2) Top five features I want to be added (please no more than five).
>

> Please think of your top five features only. I know that it is hard to
> select only five from your list but please try.
> Let me start this thread myself as MLO user and not as MLO
> developer :-)
>

> 1) What features I LIKE in MLO

> ----------------------------------------------
> - advanced filtering and views of to-do list - supper cool! :)
> - parsing: "Call Katrin tomorrow 15pm remind me" - Ctrl+Enter in
> Outline. No clicks to assign time
> - hotkeys. Adding tasks to the outline is very fast.
> - lightweight application: starts fast, works fast, not much memory
> used.

> - sophisticated recurring tasks (recur when any subtask is completed,
> etc)

> - Synchronization and collaboration (PocketPC, LAN data file, FTP,
> Outlook)
> - I can run MLO from USB drive (only mlo.exe is needed for this)
> - Open/closed and included contexts
> - assign context using assigned shortcuts (introduced in beta)
> - complete subtask in order to create sophisticated "active"
> checklists
> - reminders
> - easy project tracking
> - Copy/paste outline as text (Task->Advanced->Copy tasks as text)
> - Fast bookmarks in Outline (Ctrl+Shift+0 to set Ctrl+0 to jump)
> - Zoom-in / Zoom-out to concentrate on particular project
> - MLO community :-)
>

> 2) Top five features I want to be added
> ------------------------------------------------

> - Multi-select (drag&drop, change properties of several selected
> tasks)
> - Task Dependencies (do not show task in To-Do until some tasks from
> other branches are completed)

[mdzink]

My favorite MLO Features:
1) Task heirarchy structure
2) Complete subtasks in order
3) Intelligent prioritization

Top features I'd like to add:
1) Blackberry version
2) Web version with synchronization and links to Jott
3) Blackberry version :-)

[AK]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

- Small and fast
- Implementation of projects
- Context manager

- Advanced filtering & grouping

- RTE

2) Top features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------
1) Add "Collapse All" button to PPC version
2) "Don't synchronize this branch with PPC" option
3) Scheduled synchronization with PPC
4) Calendar

THANKS!!

[Derek D]

1) What features I LIKE in MLO
----------------------------------------------

1) PPC facility,
2) PPC rapid task entry
3) Everything else!

2) Top features I want to be added
------------------------------------------------

1) Natural planning for each project - each project would have a
standard note page with the 5 natural planning headers - i have to do
this manually at the moment.
2) PPC today screen shows MLO status, actions due / overdue etc
(similar to how task status is displayed on today screen in PPC).
2) MLO PPC shows what task to do next automatically in today screen
based on how much time is left in outlook/ppc diary.
2) Add "Collapse All" button to PPC version
4) Calendar - automatically synced with PPC/outlook diaries.

Great product MLO team - helps me to be "frighteningly" efficient.

[Andrey Ekaterenchuk]

I like:
1) power features from simplicity organizer (transformer's energy) :)
2) portable use (mobile for future)
3) templates (quick and efficient start for everyone)
4) beautiful community (thanks authors for templates!)
5) that all in one small program - MLO :)

I want to be added:
1) web-based version (independent of client platform) :)
2) dynamic layers/windows (or with attach/detach functions - like a
transformers)
3) horizontal split Outline view (one or more)
4) Gantt chart (useful for projects and strategic planning and
viewing)
5) aggregate & calculating fields

MLO, i'm lovein' it :)

[Mark Levison]

Top Features I love in MLO
-----------------------------
1) Fast, Lightweight application
2) Reliable - I've used many of the betas over the years and have never lost
data yet.
3) Sync to Outlook
4) Flexible outline system and separate Todo view. This is what set MLO
apart when I first found it and it still does
5) Kudos and his incredibly hotkeys.
6) FTP sync
7) Frequent releases
8) This community
9) Advanced Filtering

Features I want
-----------------------------
1) Rewritten tree with support Color coding, Fonts, Multi select etc. - I've
got a lot of patience for this one.
2) Sync to web app so we can view our days tasks (and perhaps enter new
ones) when not at our primary machines. This can also be your first stab at
support of mobile devices not called the IPhone/PocketPC. As an earlier
writer suggested an Open XML format with ID's would be very helpful.
3) Calendar view - I want to be see what tasks I've assigned to a particular
day. BTW show me an elegant way of doing this with Outlook and I will be
happy for now. Eventually I want to be able to add tasks via the Calendar
view
4) Better printing support. Two needs really. Without battling excel (my
current approach) I want to be able to print my entire outline for a
occasional review. **Most Important** Print out my current to do list (i.e.
current view) with Notes, Due/Start Dates etc.
5) Read Mark Forester's "Do It Tomorrow" and engage the author so that MLO
can become the preferred tool of the DIT world. Currently I've got some very
muddled thoughts around Task Diary, Current Initiative etc. Simplest thing
for now - a way of auto generating Outline of dates in the way that Steve
has recently discussed.

For me the Printing and Calendar are currently the most important and are
the ones I would fund first.

[SSintay]

I have to add my vote for the web based version as well. I have just
recently gotten a new job and I realize how incredibly powerful a web
based version would be.

Steve

[J.R.]

I would say web based but also some sort of wireless sync maybe to
sync any changes from your device to desktop and vice versa. InfoShare
List Manager does this and I think MLO could benefit from that feature
as well!

> > MLO, i'm lovein' it :)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[rickdob]

Web-based sounds awesome because then it would be cross-platform and
available from just about anywhere. Probably a hard chore to
accomplish from a developer's standpoint though.

~ Rick

[PJO]

I have a small and hopefully simple suggestion:

I'd like to have a built-in timer that could be used to track time
spent on tasks.

[Juan Ignacio Gelos]

http://mail.google.com/mail/#label/MLO/11b55fc218cc388a

Add a post to that thread with that ;)

Saluda atte.,
Juan Ignacio Gelos
Evolutio Software
ju...@evolutio.com.ar

[Juan Ignacio Gelos]

Sorry, wrong link (obviously).

PJO: post on THIS thread with your vote for that feature:
http://groups.google.com/group/myLifeOrganized/browse_thread/thread/9ebd899b2dd50994/77f918efa91f3ce5?lnk=gst&q=method+of+recording#77f918efa91f3ce5

I'll try to write a formal feature request and forward it to Andrey.

Saluda atte.,
Juan Ignacio Gelos
Evolutio Software
ju...@evolutio.com.ar

[alex.bsc]

Features that would make MLO perfect;

1. Calendar!
Based on the 'total work' it would be great if it could create
calendar appointments, hence 'plan my day' for me, chopping up larger
tasks into parts if necessary where these tasks are of high priority
and fitting them in given time slots.
Much like what 'TimeTo' does.
http://www.davidberman.com/software/timeto.php

2. Life Roles (Result Areas) - Work, Leisure, Romance, Self
Development etc etc, colour coded as in Life Balance. Plan your week
via Life Roles in the Calendar, and let MLO fill in this template with
actual tasks (i.e. point 1)

e.g. mon-fri 9:00-17:00 Work, 18:00-20:00 Personal Development,
weekends for Leisure time, etc etc, automatically filled with tasks /
projects marked as fitting such a Life Role. Again, split up as
necessary if a project or tasks is longer than the alloted time slot.
MLO could then track the dates and times that a given task occupied,
e.g. a task in Work was worked on on Monday 9:00 - 11:00 as well as on
thursday etc. etc.

3. a) 'Life Balance' type colour coding based on Result Areas, as well
as charting, so I can see where the most time is being spent in one's
life. I've noticed MLO is similar to LB, and such metrics would
totally kill the competition.
http://www.llamagraphics.com/drupal/

b) Chandler style colour coding is a possible solution for current /
next / completed tasks

4. User interface ideas borrowed from any of the following would be an
awesome boost;
fusiondesk, uorganized and tudumo, colour coding and charting from
Life Balance.

5. Graphically move tasks around in the calendar (much like in Outlook
2007), for a visual view of your week.

This is the ideal GDP / life planner app that I am currently looking
for.

[Richard Collings]

> Features that would make MLO perfect;
>
> 1. Calendar!
> Based on the 'total work' it would be great if it could
> create calendar appointments, hence 'plan my day' for me,
> chopping up larger tasks into parts if necessary where these
> tasks are of high priority and fitting them in given time
> slots. Much like what 'TimeTo' does.
> http://www.davidberman.com/software/timeto.php
>

Oooh yes.

> 5. Graphically move tasks around in the calendar (much like
> in Outlook 2007), for a visual view of your week.
>

Ditto

> >
>

[chrisleeuk]

5 Features I like:

------------------------------------------------------------
1. True GTD implementation.
------------------------------------------------------------

Nothing else comes close to MylifeOrganized for implementing the GTD
system that I love.

------------------------------------------------------------
2. Pocket PC version
------------------------------------------------------------


The Pocket PC version is a major plus.
Get task recorded right now, not later when can't remember it!

------------------------------------------------------------
3. Flexible Saved Filtering
------------------------------------------------------------


Sort and filter your data instantly with saved filters. Gives you
instant answers as to what you should be focusing on right now. The
flexibility of this allows me to make the software work how I think.

------------------------------------------------------------
4. Effective Search
------------------------------------------------------------


Quickly lookup information with the instant dynamic search.


Five features I want to add to MLO:

Ok so some of this is a bit pie in the sky, but I'm thinking about my
ideal implementation of MLO!

------------------------------------------------------------
1. Security/Encryption of MLO file.
------------------------------------------------------------


Very important to me, I want to limit who can view my MLO data. More
so on the Desktop than Pocket PC.

------------------------------------------------------------
2. Information Entries in the Outliner.
------------------------------------------------------------


Not everything in the Outliner is task. Its also useful to store
information on various subjects. Although you can mark a task as
hidden it would nice to make a specific distinction between a Task
entry and a Information entry. The option to switch a task to an
information entry and back again would be useful!

------------------------------------------------------------
3. Pre-Mark Tasks as Common template.
------------------------------------------------------------

Currently you can select to add a task as 'New from Template...'

It would be nice if you could mark a task as a Common Template.

Then on the task menu you could select 'New Common Template'
which would have a roll out menu listing the common tasks to add.

For example the list might have:

Ebay Sale
Work Project
Server
Database
Password

The above templates could have many sub items defined into a structure
to quickly add.

Just like templates are now, but quicker to find!

------------------------------------------------------------
3. Configurable Icons.
------------------------------------------------------------

Configurable Icons for each individual task would be very useful.
If they are implemented the option to include your own would be vital.
It would be useful to have defaults for Tasks and the Information
items described in point 2.

When used with Common Templates icons become even more powerful.

My Server Template could have a small icon of a server as its route. A
key for the 'Security' sub item. A book for the documentation sub tab.

------------------------------------------------------------
5. Better Task Notes.
------------------------------------------------------------

The task notes have limited functionality.

A better editor with bold, underline, coloring, underline etc would be
a big improvement.

It should also be possible to drag and drop tasks into the task notes,
which would then appear as direct hyperlinks to the outliner.

Another idea is 'instant hyperlinks'

You could give each task a 'Link Phrase'

When you type the link phrase into the task notes a hyperlink is
created that goes directly to that task.

So I could have details of the company in the outliner called 'The Big
Software Company'

I might type into the task notes 'This project will impact on the
contract for TBSC'

TBSC would be the link phrase and this would expand to a link to the
task for the 'Big Software Company'

The link phrase could just as easily be 'Jeff Smith' or 'Server 108'
providing an instant link to more detail within the task or
information entry.


As a developer I know this lot would be a lot of work, but I think it
would greatly improve the product to improve it.

Thanks

Chris.