Custom flag autoformat assignment rules | Feature needed

[MG]

Hi all,

I have been trying to automate flag assignment to my tasks in MLO Win version, but could not manage any workaround for that.
I would like to suggest MLO Team to create an autoformat way, one could have available, to allow to format tasks with custom flags just by changing contexts, tags or particular caption.

For example, imagine I create a custom flag with a name of person and particular icon.
If I want to autoformat such task(s) to be assigned the previous created flag, by their context, tag or caption property I found it impossible, since there is no option for this autoformat feature need.

I hope this had been understood, because it would avoid so many clicks to assign custom flags to tasks.

BR

M.

[mv1...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I'm sure MLO team will take your request in consideration but in the meantime there might be a different way to achieve your goal. Maybe you cannot automate the flags but you have control over the Icon and these icons can also include flag icons. In : Option (Gear icon top right) / Automatic formatting / Automatic formatting rules.

Good luck

Michel

[MG]

Hi Michel,

Thank you for your interest and reply.

What I mean is that a feature enhancement would be, to include custom flags into in-app list as we create them, so that one can create a rule to assign such custom flags instead of the general purpose list icons, according to rules conditions.

BR

M

[Jeff Smith]

I have an idea for the new feature that would solve this and many many requests for other features.

We need a scripting language that can create and modify tasks and then the scripts we write can have parameters and be triggered by various events. That way we could write a script to be executed on create, that adds the desired flags automatically.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

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[zel...@gmail.com]

You can add custom icons, then use the custom formatting rules. What am I missing?

[Stéph]

I'm with zel on this -

If you only want to use the flag icons as a format to highlight items which particular contexts, tags, dates, etc, then you can use Tools - Options - Automatic Formatting. The Automatic Formatting rules can be used to assign any of the icons into positions 0-3 (note, I have some custom rules which appear in the list before all the default rules).

In the Automatic Formatting window, you can click "Icon" and then "Manage Icons" to load any icon you want into MLO, for use in your outline. I use a portable version of IcoFX 1.6 to create my own icons.

However, if you want to use automatic rules to assign Flags (not just icons) based on other Properties of an item then yes, it will need a scripting language to do that.

Stéphane

[MG]

HI imajeff,

I agree with you.

Regarding your idea, I've already started a discussion about this type of feature for some automation.

Take a look at it here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/mylifeorganized/wxpd1I5WzNU

Unfortunately, I did not receive any opinion.

In my viewpoint, even though MLO applies GTD methodology it must - in some cases - to follow daily dynamics, much of them regarding automation, leaving us time to think.

But this is just my opinion, no one has to agree with me.

I know there are priority features MLO Team want to develop, but some would be useful for all of us, even though some workarounds works in some circunstances, but many others don't.

Stéph, you are right, but what I mean is a lack of a Flag button which allows us to use in Autoformat Rules windows (options)...not icons, nor their positions in such definition.

BR

M

On Friday, April 26, 2019 at 3:48:35 AM UTC+2, imajeff wrote:

I have an idea for the new feature that would solve this and many many requests for other features.

We need a scripting language that can create and modify tasks and then the scripts we write can have parameters and be triggered by various events. That way we could write a script to be executed on create, that adds the desired flags automatically.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

On Thu, Apr 25, 2019 at 12:06 PM MG <arq.mar...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Michel,

Thank you for your interest and reply.

What I mean is that a feature enhancement would be, to include custom flags into in-app list as we create them, so that one can create a rule to assign such custom flags instead of the general purpose list icons, according to rules conditions.

BR

M

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[Stéph]

Hello MG,

OK, so I'm not sure I fully understand what you want to achieve.

In your example, you suggest creating "a custom flag with a name of person and particular icon", then you suggest assigning that flag based on an autoformat rule, which picks up on the use of a specific category, caption property (ie text term in the caption?) or tag.  You mentioned a "flag button" this time. Does that mean you'd like to set up some custom buttons which allow you to assign a flag (eg flag title "Jim Smith" with a flag icon which is a picture of "Jim Smith") to a task?

Apologies for being slow to understand. Perhaps another example would help, or perhaps use a graphics app to mock up how it would look on a screenshot?

Stéphane

[Jeff Smith]

Thanks for the reference, though I'm not sure about the font thing you were talking about in that post.

Scripting in MLO would solve the problems where AutoHotkey doesn't reach. AHK just presses keys for you, so you have to call each script manually for example press F11. Then all it can to is press keys for you and you can only do what key shortcuts there are available in the window.

What I propose doesn't have to be a complicated API, but at least the ability to obtain an object of a specific task and then tell how to manipulate it. A script could be called from various events like new task or selecting tasks and pressing it's assigned hotkey.

For example one could set it up so each time they create a new task under a certain parent, a script is called to set all the desired flags on that task automatically. It of course can do much more that that, if well thought out.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 12:06 PM MG <arq.mari...@gmail.com> wrote:

HI imajeff,

I agree with you.

Regarding your idea, I've already started a discussion about this type of feature for some automation.

Take a look it here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/mylifeorganized/wxpd1I5WzNU

Unfortunately, I received any opinion.

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[MG]

Hi Stéph,

"In your example, you suggest creating "a custom flag with a name of person and particular icon", then you suggest assigning that flag based on an autoformat rule, which picks up on the use of a specific category, caption property (ie text term in the caption?) or tag"

This mean you understood it well, I mean everything is in your text. :)

I mean, with a custom flag previously created, one could "call" it and assign to a task just by typing its name in a task caption, or a text (the one we define in the rules of autoformat to trigger a flag, for example) - at a limit any property - we define for it.

But before it, one have to create an autoformat rule so that it works, where we can define conditions (I mean the expansion of condition rules)

Beyond Icon assingnment, in autoformat dialog box, MLO could also handle Flag assignment (maybe a button in the dialog box the same as icon) in my viewpoint, based on caption and other tasks properties defined in the rules...or maybe a combination of flags in the same dialog to choose from.

I know there are many workarounds for using icons and even, MLO Team cannot satisfy all users suggestions but, though we can use icon, I do not see them as flags when organizing my to-do lists, nor with the same purpose.

Maybe a scripting language would be a solution, or another suitable one, to handle this features.

Thank you for your interest in helping and understanding.

BR

MG

[MG]

Hi imajeff,

That´s the point.

The scripting language I mention is just an example and a suggestion, since the one you expose is another and suitable.

Some "simplicity" sometimes is what I feel the need, even though see MLO with a lot of versatility.

I agree again with you.

P.S - These are some icons examples: https://fontawesome.com/icons?d=gallery of what I mention for reference.

BR

MG

On Monday, April 29, 2019 at 10:12:57 PM UTC+1, imajeff wrote:

Thanks for the reference, though I'm not sure about the font thing you were talking about in that post.

Scripting in MLO would solve the problems where AutoHotkey doesn't reach. AHK just presses keys for you, so you have to call each script manually for example press F11. Then all it can to is press keys for you and you can only do what key shortcuts there are available in the window.

What I propose doesn't have to be a complicated API, but at least the ability to obtain an object of a specific task and then tell how to manipulate it. A script could be called from various events like new task or selecting tasks and pressing it's assigned hotkey.

For example one could set it up so each time they create a new task under a certain parent, a script is called to set all the desired flags on that task automatically. It of course can do much more that that, if well thought out.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mylifeorganized/8b5f41bb-1adf-4db2-a895-b28cdc630d4b%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[domas.vo...@gmail.com]

Hi,

but how would you use these autoformated flags? As far as I can see there are only two options:

• visual use - flags would be used to convey some information about a task
  In this case, the icons should perfectly do the job, as there is no further interaction with task's properties.
• automated use - the flags would be used for filtering/grouping of tasks.
  In this case, the same rule which were to be used to assign autoformated flags, can be used to make the filtering.

The scripting case might be slightly different, because probably it would give more flexibility.

However I imagine that to implement the full scripting language into a product is a huge task.

In my opinion, because MLO is already the most advanced task manager on the market, it should now be going towards the usability updates (to have web version, for example), not more advanced and geeky features.

[Jeff Smith]

MLO should have started the scripting when they developed 2.0 I was using MLO before that and the feedback made it clear that we needed this or an API because again and again people needed a way. if they are not going to do that then they should at least focus on increasing productivity as you say, but not even doing that as i have to press way too many things just for one little detail. You have no idea how much bigger this would be if it were actually liked after most people tried it. it is pitiful how small this discussion is because too many people just don't have time to keep using it because the needs were largely ignored.

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[Stéph]

Interesting ideas. I'm particularly interested in the idea of scripting to automate what I do and reduce the number of parameters I have to set manually each time I create a new task.

[MG]

Hi domas,
As there are many possibilities, I would suggest MLO Team, to integrate such feature in a toggle on/off mode, depending on users, even if inot with scripting language.

Flags could interact with most task properties, but not only flags:

Imagine I create an autoformat rule to trigger and assign a custom flag previously created, to take into account a task context, tag , or text (caption, for example John) and so forth?

By writing John in a task name, for example, one would have a result of setting (autoformat way) to several tasks a particular flag at once (chosen in the autoformat rule)

The issue is not merely visual (icons) but for management purpose and efficiency on changing settings: there are flags created from icons but with different name of the original icon.

The way it is now, one have to filter (if not in the same view) or select the intended tasks, right-click and assign the desired flag for all at the same time, but manually.

Regarding the example above, MLO keeps its identity regarding its flexibility.

I like MLO app, including Desktop version but, have the opinion that we can keep identity even with small, but useful, enhancements.

Of course it is not possible to handle everything, but such tiny changes would keep MLO, step by step, in another stage in the future.

I cross fingers for that to happen.

BR.

M

[Jeff Smith]

in fact to establish basic scripting would be the easy way for MLO to let us solve our efficiency problems because then they don't have to keep adding more features for each, or choosing which to ignore.

Not everyone has to write scripts, they can be shared to solve common problems.

On Wed, May 1, 2019, 09:20 MG <arq.mari...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi domas,

As there are many possibilities, I would suggest MLO Team, to integrate such feature in a toggle on/off mode, depending on users, even if inot with scripting language.

Flags could interact with most task properties, but not only flags:

Imagine I create an autoformat rule to trigger and assign a custom flag previously created, to take into account a task context, tag (#John, for example), or text (caption) and so forth?

By setting #John as a tag, for example, one would have a result of setting (autoformat way) to several tasks a particular flag at once (chosen in the autoformat rule)

The issue is not merely visual (icons) but for management purpose and efficiency on changing settings: there are flags created from icons but with different name of the original icon.

The way it is now, one have to filter (if not in the same view) or select the intended tasks, right-click and assign the desired flag for all at the same time, but manually.

Regarding the example above, MLO keeps its identity regarding its flexibility.

I like MLO app, including Desktop version but, have the opinion that we can keep identity even with small, but useful, enhancements.

Of course it is not possible to handle everything, but such tiny changes would keep MLO, step by step, in another stage in the future.

I cross fingers for that to happen.

BR.

M

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[domas.vo...@gmail.com]

Hi,

yes, I agree that this would speed up the process.

What I'm really missing in MLO is setting up task properties in the task text - which you have mentioned.

In many other task managers (Todoist, Marvin, and probably most others) if while writing task you start typing "@context", the context gets assigned. Similar with few other properties.

I think scripting language might cover this feature nicely, with some additional functionality, but this is up to developers to decide, if this is worth the effort.

Regards,

Domas

[Alyona (MLO Support)]

> I'm really missing in MLO is setting up task properties in the task text

You can parse the task caption entered to the task list if you press Alt+Enter instead of Enter. For example, type in "Call John next Friday @phone" and press Alt+Enter.

[MG]

Hi Alyona,

Could you please pass to MLO Devps the need regarding this discussion topic?

Thank you.

BR

M