Download the latest version of DorisDesktop

This latest version fixes a lot of usability bugs and is recommended for all users.  This will be the last update before I introduce the new multiple view layout that will make a History view possible and some other nice surprises.

Here’s what’s updated:

• Fixed ability to tab through fields when adding new task
• Disabled multiple selection of tasks
• Added command r to refresh tasks and sync
• Badge added to icon in doc for current number of open tasks in Today
• Fixed wrong task and group selection bugs
• Total task count added to window title
• Group folder icon based on type: group, today or inbox

For this last item, if you have a folder called Today (it’s not mandatory) you’ll get a nice checkmark icon for it.  And if you name one of your groups Inbox you’ll get the appropriate icon.

Check out the latest version of DorisDesktop – I’ve done a complete UI overhaul and it’s much more pleasant to use.  UI improvements include:

• Apple Mail like interface with task counts per group
• date creation and update times in collapsible panel
• better keyboard controls:
  • use <command> N for new Task
  • use <command> G for new Group
  • <spacebar> to toggle completed Task (Full Keyboard Access must be enabled in system prefs)
  • <del> key to delete any selected Group or Task
  • <esc> to dismiss any panel
• much better speed/performance than all other versions
• see the CHANGELOG for the list of changes

The last vital features that’s missing is the ability to drag tasks between groups, this will be implemented in the next release.

Give this early beta a try while it’s still free and please send any comments, all feedback appreciated!

After quite a bit of work a new version of DorisDesktop is ready, you can download it here.  While in beta the app will be free.  My plan is to make the desktop version of Doris the most full-featured of all the ways of accessing Doris, it’s where all the new ideas and feature requests will be tested out.

In general I’ve become a bit fed up with web apps, mainly because you have to learn substantially different interfaces with each one.  Desktop apps, especially on the Mac, not only get around this shortcoming, they also allow you to link in directly to some rich resources you use every day:

• your Calendar
• the Address Book
• your Email
• photos and docs

Managing these items on the web is possible, but it’s always more painful.  A desktop app provides the best experience and can sync with the cloud and be just a single click away.

What is DorisDesktop?

It’s just a desktop app that provides an additional, hopefully easier way to get to all the tasks stored in your online Doris account.  It’s main advantages are:

• it launches fast
• it runs in the background and is only one click away
• being on the desktop, you’ll be able to better integrate task management into your existing workflow

What’s new in this version of DorisDesktop

• drag and drop to re-order tasks now works properly (same for groups coming soon)
• you can easily add notes to your tasks
• you can drag URLs from your browser into DorisDesktop and they becomes tasks
• security is improved with passwords now saved to the Keychain
• the login workflow is improved
• the app is globally available from its icon in the menu bar
• interface improvements for adding and deleting tasks
• see the CHANGELOG for the full list of changes, and note the API has been updated

What’s not working yet

• currently you can’t drag & drop to re-order groups
• nor can you drag tasks into different groups, this is planned for the next release
• one-click access to bring DorisDesktop to the foreground no matter what you’re doing – to get this working I need to do some more work to be able to record keyboard shortcuts

Bugs

One bug I’ve discovered is if you drag to re-order, and in the process drag your task outside the task list, eg, into the groups list, the app thinks it’s a URL, I’ll fix this for the next release.  Also, in some cases the task list and note description doesn’t update properly, this will be fixed.

Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are supported for all the basic features:

• <spacebar> to add a new task to the current group
• <enter> to edit the current task
• <backspace> to delete the current task
• <cmd> , to launch Doris’ prefs, currently where your can login

Feedback

As always I’d love to hear your feedback, either here in the comments, at Uservoice, or just shoot me an email to support@dorisapp.com.  I’ve updated the Doris Uservoice account with the tasks that have been completed.  According to their overview my feedback isn’t looking too bad.

But starting today we’ve made the API publicly available, see for yourself by checking out the Doris API documentation.

What does this mean for all users? It means you now have total control over your data and can use it exactly how you like. With the help of a developer you can write custom programs to use Doris data in new and exciting ways.

What does this mean for developers? It means you can now create Doris-based applications and/or integrate Doris with your existing development workflow.

We’re excited to see what ideas our users come up with and judging by the amount of requests over at Uservoice, I’m anticipating a healthy response.

If you have any questions, ideas or bug reports please drop us a line at the usual place.

The folks over at Betavine/Vodafone interviewed me several weeks ago thanks to our second place results in the Betavine widget contest.

We had of course hoped to win the contest with our Doris widget but were very pleased with second place results, there were a lot of great competitors.

Read the Betavine interview here.