Make mobilegtd more portable.

[Yue Wu]

I'm using symian s60 cellphone, it's ok I can use mobilegtd, but I doubt
that if I switch to other planform of phone(symbian really lacks usable
PIM functions), where can I find a mobilegtd alike's app.

--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

[Martin Mauch]

Actually, that's one of the directions I'm heading towards :)

I'm currently writing a new UI based on HTML and Javascript.

Once that is done, I will write another backend in Rhomobile which is written in my favourite language Ruby

and portable to IPhone, Windows Mobile and of course Symbian.

This approach also works much better with touch-screen devices.

As always, anyone who is willing to contribute contact me!

2009/4/2 Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com>

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi,

Thanks for introducing Rhodes! I have just saw the presentation of
rubyconf online and it looks good. It must have slipped through my
radar when it appeared on slashdot because I don't remember seeing any
of these stuffs.

I was close to releasing a gtd application on s60 myself when I saw
this. Just for the record, since I have not told this before in this
list, some of the things my gtd app have compared to mobileGTD:
1. utilizes the native PIM so syncing is automatic via syncml
2. next actions oriented instead of project oriented
3. simple tickler support (aka. remind me to pay my bills 5 days in advance)

Now that I know you are working on Rhodes, I am going to try out some
Rhodes myself!

Please keep this list posted about your updates, or any alpha release
that you have. :)

--
Cheers,
Phuah Yee Keat

[Martin Mauch]

Hi Phuah Yee Keat!

I will post anything that is runnable on the Google code page and write an announcement on the mail group.

Can you explain a little how your GTD app works? Is it written in Python as well?

Maybe we could merge the two apps, or join efforts for a Rhomobile version :)

Best regards,

  Martin

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi Martin,

On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 9:32 PM, Martin Mauch <martin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Phuah Yee Keat!
> I will post anything that is runnable on the Google code page and write an
> announcement on the mail group.
> Can you explain a little how your GTD app works? Is it written in Python as
> well?

Yup, its writte in Python, inspired by your app actually. I am
attaching both the source codes and also the sis file if any of you
want to have a go. Usage is simple, any of the numeric keys will
create a new entry, and the special key "#" will be used to trigger
between "Todo List" and "Tickler List".

When you set something as Tickler, it will not show up in your "Todo
List" until the specified date. I use this to remind me to pay my
bills, but not too early. So for example I have to pay my credit cards
on 30th of Apr, I will then create a tickler and set it to 25th of
Apr. So when I am in the "Todo List" today (7th Apr), i won't see that
entry. When it comes to 25th, it will appear in my "Todo List", which
then I will proceed to pay it, and change the tickler date to the next
month, 25th of May.

I haven't built in projects yet, but most of what I am doing resembles
that in www.todotxt.com, all using tags in a single line, and I reuse
back the todo PIM entries in the phone so I can use syncml to sync my
gtd stuffs to mobical.net without any conversion.

I have already blocked out the s60done project in googlecode, but
still haven't have the time to upload my codes yet.

> Maybe we could merge the two apps, or join efforts for a Rhomobile version
> :)

Hmm, after going through it, i am still wondering whether it will be
easy to use compared to the python app.

> Best regards,
>   Martin

[Yue Wu]

I like your concept, but it can't run on my Nokia 6120 with symbian60 3th,
when it starts, it quits immidiatly.

On Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:45:28 +0800, Yee Keat Phuah <ykp...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hi Martin,

--

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi Martin,

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 6:07 AM, Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I like your concept, but it can't run on my Nokia 6120 with symbian60 3th,
> when it starts, it quits immidiatly.

I assume yours is 6120 Classic? There's two types of access to the
phone todo list, one is tagged as EKA while another is EKA2. I am
guessing that yours might be EKA.

If you still feel like trying, you can copy the four .py files into
your E:\\Python and run the default.py straight from the phone, it
should work.

[Yue Wu]

I'm 6120c here, but how to run the file from phone? When I click on
it, it is opened as a text.

On 4月8日, 上午8时08分, Yee Keat Phuah <ykph...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Martin,
>

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi,

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I'm 6120c here, but how to run the file from phone? When I click on
> it, it is opened as a text.

Have you installed the python shell script? Its another .sis file
besides the python sis file. You need to run the shell script, then
select "Run File" from the menu, and point to the
E:\\Python\\Default.py file.

[Yue Wu]

On 4月8日, 上午11时08分, Yee Keat Phuah <ykph...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>

> On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Yue Wu <vano...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm 6120c here, but how to run the file from phone? When I click on
> > it, it is opened as a text.
>
> Have you installed the python shell script? Its another .sis file
> besides the python sis file. You need to run the shell script, then
> select "Run File" from the menu, and point to the
> E:\\Python\\Default.py file.

It's a little inconvenient, could you please provide a sis file?
Thank you!

[Martin Mauch]

You can find the Python Script Shell here if that is what you need:

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=154155&package_id=171153

This is for PyS60 1.4.5, I guess this is what Phuah Yee Keat used.

The newer 1.9.3 release is here, but it might not work:

https://garage.maemo.org/frs/?group_id=854&release_id=2532

2009/4/8 Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com>

[Martin Mauch]

Hi Phuah Yee Keat,

Sounds very cool!

 

I have already blocked out the s60done project in googlecode, but
still haven't have the time to upload my codes yet.

Once you have I can post a link to your google-code site on the MobileGTD site.

 

> Maybe we could merge the two apps, or join efforts for a Rhomobile version
> :)

Hmm, after going through it, i am still wondering whether it will be
easy to use compared to the python app.

Do you mean easy to use for the developer or the end user?

I think for the programmer it should be really simple,

the end-user experience depends on how the UI HTML will look like.

I'll do my best to make this as intuitive as possible.

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi

2009/4/8 Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com>:

>
> On 4月8日, 上午11时08分, Yee Keat Phuah <ykph...@gmail.com> wrote:
> It's a little inconvenient, could you please provide a sis file?
> Thank you!

I DID provide a sis file, which worked for my phone but not for yours,
remember? :)

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi Martin,

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 4:15 PM, Martin Mauch <martin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Do you mean easy to use for the developer or the end user?
> I think for the programmer it should be really simple,
> the end-user experience depends on how the UI HTML will look like.
> I'll do my best to make this as intuitive as possible.

I am thinking for the end user. I am relating to my experience of
using mobile version of websites. For example if I use a python
Listbox, one down key will move the focus to the next item, but for
html based ui, one down key might just move the cursor a bit down, and
not totally to the next item. UI HTML is very good for touchscreen
devices though.

But python interfaces does have their own shortcomings, no easy way to
show a 2 line listbox, with different fonts etc... and I am lazy to
dwelve into C++ to provide this. I am comfortable with HTML/Javascript
though. :)

[Martin Mauch]

Hi Phuah Yee Keat (is there a short version of the name? ;)

 

I am thinking for the end user. I am relating to my experience of
using mobile version of websites. For example if I use a python
Listbox, one down key will move the focus to the next item, but for
html based ui, one down key might just move the cursor a bit down, and
not totally to the next item. UI HTML is very good for touchscreen
devices though.

There is a special navigation mode in which the cursor jumps from element to element,

so the functionality here is the same as for Python lists.

Find attached a first non-functional UI prototype.

 

But python interfaces does have their own shortcomings, no easy way to
show a 2 line listbox, with different fonts etc... and I am lazy to
dwelve into C++ to provide this. I am comfortable with HTML/Javascript
though. :)

You can create 2 line listboxes (copied from the PyS60 Documentation):

class Listbox(list, callback)

Creates a Listbox instance.  A callable object callback  gets called when a listbox selection has

been made. list defines the content of the listbox and can be one of the following:

• A normal (single-line item) listbox: a list of Unicode strings, for example [unicode  string item1,  unicode  string  item2]
• A   double-item   listbox:      a   two-element   tuple   of   Unicode   strings   ,    for   example  [(unicode  string  item1,  unicode  string  item1description),  (unicode  string item2,  unicode  string  item2description)]
• A  normal  (single-line  item)  listbox  with  graphics:    a  two-element  tuple  consisting  of a  Unicode  string  and  an  Icon  object,  for  example  [(unicode  string  item1,  icon1), (unicode  string  item2,  icon2)].
• A    double-item    listbox    with    graphics:        a    three-element    tuple    consisting    of two    Unicode    strings    and    one    Icon    object,     for    example    [(unicode  string item1,  unicode  string  item1description,  icon1),  (unicode  string  item2, unicode  string  item2description,  icon2)]

 

Cheers

  Martin

[Yue Wu]

On Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:29:56 +0800, Yee Keat Phuah <ykp...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>

Yes, so I mean would you provide a a version that can be run on my phone
please? I'm not familier with my phone, so I can't understand well with
the way you talked, but I will try.

[Yue Wu]

On Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:45:28 +0800, Yee Keat Phuah <ykp...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>

> Yup, its writte in Python, inspired by your app actually. I am
> attaching both the source codes and also the sis file if any of you
> want to have a go. Usage is simple, any of the numeric keys will
> create a new entry, and the special key "#" will be used to trigger
> between "Todo List" and "Tickler List".
>
> When you set something as Tickler, it will not show up in your "Todo
> List" until the specified date. I use this to remind me to pay my
> bills, but not too early. So for example I have to pay my credit cards
> on 30th of Apr, I will then create a tickler and set it to 25th of
> Apr. So when I am in the "Todo List" today (7th Apr), i won't see that
> entry. When it comes to 25th, it will appear in my "Todo List", which
> then I will proceed to pay it, and change the tickler date to the next
> month, 25th of May.
>
> I haven't built in projects yet, but most of what I am doing resembles
> that in www.todotxt.com, all using tags in a single line, and I reuse
> back the todo PIM entries in the phone so I can use syncml to sync my
> gtd stuffs to mobical.net without any conversion.
>

I have tested it a little, impressive, but something I don't expect
appears, when I use s60done to tickle a meeting that already in my
calendar, the todo list of that meeting is still there, but with a blank
name, the list number is 1. For example, the first time I run s60done,
screen is:

1. Do this.
2. Do that.

When I enter first list, and tickle it, then the screen becomes:

1.
2. Do that.

Another thing anoyying me is every time I do some thing in s60done, the
screen will show a long text quickly(I can't see them clearly). Anyway,
your concept is really great, I think it can combine with mobileGTD!

Thanks for a start of nice work!

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi Yue Wu,

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 7:02 AM, Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have tested it a little, impressive, but something I don't expect
> appears, when I use s60done to tickle a meeting that already in my
> calendar, the todo list of that meeting is still there, but with a blank
> name, the list number is 1. For example, the first time I run s60done,
> screen is:
>
> 1. Do this.
> 2. Do that.
>
> When I enter first list, and tickle it, then the screen becomes:
>
> 1.
> 2. Do that.
>

Do you mean that you run this using the Python Script Shell? You
mentioned that you couldn't use the sis file. So I was thinking
s60done will give you some error if you run it in the Python Script
Shell.

> Another thing anoyying me is every time I do some thing in s60done, the
> screen will show a long text quickly(I can't see them clearly). Anyway,
> your concept is really great, I think it can combine with mobileGTD!

I think the long text should be an exception. I don't know enough
about python or pys60 to tackle this. Send me an personal email if you
can help me troubleshoot why s60done is not working (properly) on your
phone.

Yes, I have seen the UI prototype of the new mobileGTD, and it looked
great! I also feel that it should be combined somehow. Anxiously
waiting for the first alpha of the new mobileGTD!

> Thanks for a start of nice work!

It would be nice if you can help me help you run s60done on your phone. :)

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi Martin,

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 10:40 PM, Martin Mauch <martin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Phuah Yee Keat (is there a short version of the name? ;)

You can call me Phuah (Last Name) or Yee Keat (First Name). :)

>> I am thinking for the end user. I am relating to my experience of
>> using mobile version of websites. For example if I use a python
>> Listbox, one down key will move the focus to the next item, but for
>> html based ui, one down key might just move the cursor a bit down, and
>> not totally to the next item. UI HTML is very good for touchscreen
>> devices though.
>
> There is a special navigation mode in which the cursor jumps from element to
> element,
> so the functionality here is the same as for Python lists.
> Find attached a first non-functional UI prototype.

Wow, I never knew there's such mode, its very cool, and it feels
really like a native app without the mouse pointer. This is quite
important for me because my phone Samsung SGH-I550 uses a trackball
instead of the usual D-Pad, so using the cursor can be a bit awkward
sometimes.

I liked the theme of the UI! If you need any help in Javascript, let
me know, I consider myself very familiar with Javascript. I handle
most of the hardcore Javascript programming in my current job.

> You can create 2 line listboxes (copied from the PyS60 Documentation):
> class Listbox(list, callback)

Hey Thanks for pointing this out, I must have missed it. I was
thinking something like this->
http://www.maclife.com/files/u36/0223_Todo-opener_380.jpg

But a two liner should be sufficient. The desired layout should be
quite easy to accomplish with HTML/Javascript. :)

[Yue Wu]

On Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:13:02 +0800, Yee Keat Phuah <ykp...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>

> Hi Yue Wu,
>
> On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 7:02 AM, Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I have tested it a little, impressive, but something I don't expect
>> appears, when I use s60done to tickle a meeting that already in my
>> calendar, the todo list of that meeting is still there, but with a blank
>> name, the list number is 1. For example, the first time I run s60done,
>> screen is:
>>
>> 1. Do this.
>> 2. Do that.
>>
>> When I enter first list, and tickle it, then the screen becomes:
>>
>> 1.
>> 2. Do that.
>>
>
> Do you mean that you run this using the Python Script Shell? You
> mentioned that you couldn't use the sis file. So I was thinking
> s60done will give you some error if you run it in the Python Script
> Shell.

Yes, via python script shell, pain to run s60done via it ...

>
>> Another thing anoyying me is every time I do some thing in s60done, the
>> screen will show a long text quickly(I can't see them clearly). Anyway,
>> your concept is really great, I think it can combine with mobileGTD!
>
> I think the long text should be an exception. I don't know enough
> about python or pys60 to tackle this. Send me an personal email if you
> can help me troubleshoot why s60done is not working (properly) on your
> phone.

This email address I'm using is ok.

>
> Yes, I have seen the UI prototype of the new mobileGTD, and it looked
> great! I also feel that it should be combined somehow. Anxiously
> waiting for the first alpha of the new mobileGTD!
>
>> Thanks for a start of nice work!
>
> It would be nice if you can help me help you run s60done on your phone.
> :)

Of course I can and I will :)

>
> I liked the theme of the UI! If you need any help in Javascript, let
> me know, I consider myself very familiar with Javascript. I handle
> most of the hardcore Javascript programming in my current job.
>

I also think html version would be the ultimate version, it's the most
portable!
But a problem comes: I like plain text, html version makes it impossible,
so I
think if htmlized mobileGTD supports import/export from/to plain text, it
would
be really really nice and cool.

Another suggestion, please try best to make mobileGTD files as less as
possible, it's easier for management.

[Yee Keat Phuah]

Hi,

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 9:02 AM, Yue Wu <van...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I also think html version would be the ultimate version, it's the most
> portable!
> But a problem comes: I like plain text, html version makes it impossible,
> so I
> think if htmlized mobileGTD supports import/export from/to plain text, it
> would
> be really really nice and cool.

The HTML version is only for UI, I believe Martin is planning to stick
to his original mobileGTD backend design where directories and small
individual files are utilized. I am also a user of emacs org-mode, so
it will be great if the new mobileGTD let us select which backend to
use, I can help in this area, I believe Martin's code will be
structured enough to enable this type of changes/customization.

Having everything in a single text file also simplify syncing, as we
can use version control tools on the desktop like cvs,svn,git to
manage it.

> Another suggestion, please try best to make mobileGTD files as less as
> possible, it's easier for management.

Hey, I am all up for single file backend also. Martin, what do you think? :)

[Martin Mauch]

My plan is to offer several back-ends and maybe several front-ends as well.

I'm currently not planning on a one-file backend, 

but I would happily integrate it if someone wrote one :)

Btw, in terms of synchronization the Rhomobile back-end should be a good choice.

You can synchronize with anything you want if you provide an adapter for it.

Synchronization with RESTful servers (like e.g. http://www.getontracks.org/) should be relatively trivial.

Best,

  Martin