OmniFocus 1.8 Design Report http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report en Copyright 2010 2010-09-16T00:43:21+00:00 Comment by Grzegorz http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#9897 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#9897 My Mum needed me to sercah for ipad prices at walmart and the result found your web blog. Appriciate you providing the engaging, compelling and well-written article for Back Cover Case Housing for iPad | MuchBuy.com’s Blog My Mum needed me to sercah for ipad prices at walmart and the result found your web blog. Appriciate you providing the engaging, compelling and well-written article for Back Cover Case Housing for iPad | MuchBuy.com’s Blog

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Jashan Chittesh http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#9267 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#9267 Is there any new info available on OmniFocus 2, yet? I have to say that while I really like the feature set of OmniFocus (pre 2), the user interface really made me use it less than I should. I currently only use the iPad version ... and the Mac version just for syncing stuff (like together with Pomodoro). Oh ... and the iPhone version for errands ;-) Using the GUI style of the iPad application (clean, simple, easy and intuitive to use) for the Mac app sounds awesome. Can’t wait - and if there’s a beta, I’d be happy to support by testing ;-) Is there any new info available on OmniFocus 2, yet? I have to say that while I really like the feature set of OmniFocus (pre 2), the user interface really made me use it less than I should. I currently only use the iPad version ... and the Mac version just for syncing stuff (like together with Pomodoro). Oh ... and the iPhone version for errands ;-)

Using the GUI style of the iPad application (clean, simple, easy and intuitive to use) for the Mac app sounds awesome. Can’t wait - and if there’s a beta, I’d be happy to support by testing ;-)

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Craig Lackie http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8462 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8462 I love OmniFocus, the ‘cloud sync’ puts it miles ahead of it’s competitors. Now we just need team delegation and a slightly more updated GUI like that of the iPad application. I love OmniFocus, the ‘cloud sync’ puts it miles ahead of it’s competitors. Now we just need team delegation and a slightly more updated GUI like that of the iPad application.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Hammy Havoc http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8461 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8461 Beautiful design, especially on the iPad client. I would love to see the Mac version take a leaf out of the iPad application’s book. In my opinion OmniFocus is gorgeous; So much better looking than Things. Productivity minimalist and highly intuitive. Beautiful design, especially on the iPad client. I would love to see the Mac version take a leaf out of the iPad application’s book. In my opinion OmniFocus is gorgeous; So much better looking than Things. Productivity minimalist and highly intuitive.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Sean http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8006 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#8006 Looking forward to V2.0 for OmniPlan integration. As a small business and sole operator, I try to stay on top of the zillions of tasks AND do the services. OF is pretty good at giving me methods to cross-slice the tasks to make them manageable, but I’m looking forward to any visual improvements that will help me prioritize better… such as a global view of where I"m at with respect to all projects, individual projects (yeah, gannt or pipelines are good). Also looking for more automated due date assignments to tasks using Templates (really, what business DOESN’T have the same sort of project come up over and over and over again). Hope this is all coming soon. Looking forward to V2.0 for OmniPlan integration. As a small business and sole operator, I try to stay on top of the zillions of tasks AND do the services. OF is pretty good at giving me methods to cross-slice the tasks to make them manageable, but I’m looking forward to any visual improvements that will help me prioritize better… such as a global view of where I"m at with respect to all projects, individual projects (yeah, gannt or pipelines are good). Also looking for more automated due date assignments to tasks using Templates (really, what business DOESN’T have the same sort of project come up over and over and over again). Hope this is all coming soon.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Kevin http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7954 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7954 Maybe I’ve missed it but automatic syncing with iCal would be brilliant. If it’s possible, please let me know but otherwise, great program! Maybe I’ve missed it but automatic syncing with iCal would be brilliant. If it’s possible, please let me know but otherwise, great program!

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Haye http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7761 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7761 Will OF V2 allow team collaboration and delegation? Will it work with OP? When is OF V2 due to be released? Keep up the good work. OF iPad is amazing. Thx! Will OF V2 allow team collaboration and delegation? Will it work with OP? When is OF V2 due to be released? Keep up the good work. OF iPad is amazing. Thx!

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Vannak Kann http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7644 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7644 I love Omnifocus…I used this since day one. This is the closest thing to GTD methedology. LOVE IT. you guys ROCK. I love Omnifocus…I used this since day one. This is the closest thing to GTD methedology. LOVE IT. you guys ROCK.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Riadh http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7411 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7411 I’m increasingly using OF on the Mac, iPad and iPhone. What’s dearly needed now (because it is missing) is a sense of unity in the use of those three versions. I’m increasingly using OF on the Mac, iPad and iPhone. What’s dearly needed now (because it is missing) is a sense of unity in the use of those three versions.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Mark http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7355 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7355 I have every version of OF there is and the iPad version rocks. I agree with others that say OF for Mac needs some love. I use the iPad for data entry and they others to act on it. I will be glad when Mac V2 gets the iPad features. My only worry is that your efforts with OP won’t pan out. There are already some pretty good project apps. I might give OP another try when it hits V2, but currently most of my project planning is on my iPad. OF is a solid, best of class app that needs some serious work to stay on top, that where I’d like your focus to stay. I have every version of OF there is and the iPad version rocks. I agree with others that say OF for Mac needs some love. I use the iPad for data entry and they others to act on it. I will be glad when Mac V2 gets the iPad features.

My only worry is that your efforts with OP won’t pan out. There are already some pretty good project apps. I might give OP another try when it hits V2, but currently most of my project planning is on my iPad. OF is a solid, best of class app that needs some serious work to stay on top, that where I’d like your focus to stay.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by mm http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7354 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7354 I agree the old view bar is better.  I am a new user and if the view bar were softer like on the original versions, I would leave it there all the time.  As it is now I find it visually distracting from my tasks and so spend all day long toggling it on and off. I agree the old view bar is better.  I am a new user and if the view bar were softer like on the original versions, I would leave it there all the time.  As it is now I find it visually distracting from my tasks and so spend all day long toggling it on and off.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by seks izle http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7348 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7348 Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated? Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated?

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Bill http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7335 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7335 Lorena, the Clean Up button has only been removed from the default toolbar, not the program.  View->Customize Toolbar…, drag the Clean Up button into the toolbar.  Or use the keyboard shortcut, cmd-K. Lorena,

the Clean Up button has only been removed from the default toolbar, not the program.  View->Customize Toolbar…, drag the Clean Up button into the toolbar.  Or use the keyboard shortcut, cmd-K.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Lorena Snodgrass http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7331 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7331 Please bring the Clean Up button back. I am lost without it. Please bring the Clean Up button back. I am lost without it.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Frederick http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7330 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7330 Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated? +1 I really hope the new OmniFocus 2.0 will adopt the UI of OmniFocus for iPad which i think is amazingly clever.

Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated?

+1

I really hope the new OmniFocus 2.0 will adopt the UI of OmniFocus for iPad which i think is amazingly clever.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Rob Record http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7313 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7313 Nice insights here.. thanks! I am REALLY looking forward to OF 2.0 .. :) I can’t wait to see what fantastic new ways of working with my projects you’re cooking up. I’ve had inklings here and there that there might just be better ways to do things & I’m glad you’re thinking along the same lines. Here’s appreciation for your dedication to this app! \:D/ Nice insights here.. thanks!

I am REALLY looking forward to OF 2.0 .. :)
I can’t wait to see what fantastic new ways of working with my projects you’re cooking up. I’ve had inklings here and there that there might just be better ways to do things & I’m glad you’re thinking along the same lines.

Here’s appreciation for your dedication to this app! \:D/

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Rainer R. Greim http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7306 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7306 Hi, in 2007 I have switched to Mac. From the past I know Omnigrafffle. But now Im using Omnifocus on the MBP and my Ipod-Touch every day. Its a great fun to work with this software- “Well done team”.  Keep up the great work everyone—looking forward to the future! Best regards from Germany. RRG Hi,
in 2007 I have switched to Mac.
From the past I know Omnigrafffle.
But now Im using Omnifocus on the MBP and my Ipod-Touch every day.
Its a great fun to work with this software-

“Well done team”. 

Keep up the great work everyone—looking forward to the future!

Best regards from Germany.

RRG

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Rami http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7300 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7300 I have OmniFocus for Ipad, Iphone and my Mac. I’m very happy with the way they sync and the way they all work out. It is an amazing product! But guys we’re paying a premium here for a professional level software. We should expect consistency both in feel and content with all three software versions! Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated? And why does each version count your upcoming projects (the red circle on the desktop Icon) differently? (Even if you have the sam settings for each one?) If I’m paying around $120 for my software I expect a more professional approach than this. I have OmniFocus for Ipad, Iphone and my Mac.

I’m very happy with the way they sync and the way they all work out. It is an amazing product!

But guys we’re paying a premium here for a professional level software. We should expect consistency both in feel and content with all three software versions!

Why can I only get the project forecast on my Ipad? Why is the Mac version look and feel so out-dated? And why does each version count your upcoming projects (the red circle on the desktop Icon) differently? (Even if you have the sam settings for each one?)

If I’m paying around $120 for my software I expect a more professional approach than this.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Jim http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7299 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7299 Guys, you still need category support more sophisticated than “flag.” Guys, you still need category support more sophisticated than “flag.”

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by RobTrew http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7289 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7289 The (literally) glaring regression is, of course, the high-contrast view bar, so loud as to cause a double-take in the first glance at the 1.0 vs 1.8 pictures - (wait a minute which is before and which is after ?). No need to rehearse the groans of disbelief and visual irritation which greeted this in the user forums, but I do think it expressed a real misunderstanding of the ‘where’s my data ?’ problem. The problem was not that people had failed to notice the view bar (and getting it to shout has not, I think, reduced the rate of ‘where’s my data ?’ postings). The real problem is a deeper one: the design brief for OF was eloquent on the need to focus, but vague or drowsy on the equally important need to continually step back and take an overview. As a result, ‘All Items’ was buried half way down the Perspectives menu, and even if you happened to find it, wouldn’t select any sidebar trees for you, to actually make your content visible. Instead of a shouting View Bar, what OF really needed, from day 1, was a foregrounded Show All or Home Page button, and a presentation of the product which strongly emphasised its regular use as central to the cognitive rhythm of getting things done. Would we then have heard so many anxious calls of where’s my data ?  My guess is that we would not. Message: quieten down the poor old view bar, dust off the Show All function, wake it up, and foreground it. The (literally) glaring regression is, of course, the high-contrast view bar, so loud as to cause a double-take in the first glance at the 1.0 vs 1.8 pictures - (wait a minute which is before and which is after ?).

No need to rehearse the groans of disbelief and visual irritation which greeted this in the user forums, but I do think it expressed a real misunderstanding of the ‘where’s my data ?’ problem.

The problem was not that people had failed to notice the view bar (and getting it to shout has not, I think, reduced the rate of ‘where’s my data ?’ postings).

The real problem is a deeper one: the design brief for OF was eloquent on the need to focus, but vague or drowsy on the equally important need to continually step back and take an overview.

As a result, ‘All Items’ was buried half way down the Perspectives menu, and even if you happened to find it, wouldn’t select any sidebar trees for you, to actually make your content visible.

Instead of a shouting View Bar, what OF really needed, from day 1, was a foregrounded Show All or Home Page button, and a presentation of the product which strongly emphasised its regular use as central to the cognitive rhythm of getting things done.

Would we then have heard so many anxious calls of where’s my data ?  My guess is that we would not.

Message: quieten down the poor old view bar, dust off the Show All function, wake it up, and foreground it.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Brian http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7285 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7285 Andre, you’ll be happy to know that the clean up button still exists - it’s just been moved off the default toolbar. If you right-click the toolbar, you can customize your toolbar and add it back. Hope this helps! Andre, you’ll be happy to know that the clean up button still exists - it’s just been moved off the default toolbar. If you right-click the toolbar, you can customize your toolbar and add it back. Hope this helps!

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by witz http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7284 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7284 I LOVE the Focus / Show All button. I’m only a couple months into using the desktop version and I was getting annoyed with the lack of a quick way out of focus. I’m sure there was a menu option, but somehow it didn’t click for me. Today I looked in the default Tool Bar options and noticed the Focus/Show All button. I’m not sure if it was there before 1.8, but it’s exactly what I needed. /happy camper I LOVE the Focus / Show All button.
I’m only a couple months into using the desktop version and I was getting annoyed with the lack of a quick way out of focus. I’m sure there was a menu option, but somehow it didn’t click for me. Today I looked in the default Tool Bar options and noticed the Focus/Show All button. I’m not sure if it was there before 1.8, but it’s exactly what I needed.

/happy camper

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Andre Teixeira http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7281 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7281 Great job, but… (and I know I will be on my own on this one) ... one feature I found quite refreshing was the “Clean Up” button. It was great to have the peace of mind of knowing the item I was editing wouldn’t disappear from my screen until I wanted it to go away. Explaining: when I am using the “Due items” view, and want to change the Due Date and the Context, for example (I have this often as I change an item from Agenda to Waiting when I get to talk to someone about it and then have to wait for them to respond). If I change the due date, the item goes to another place in the list, so I have to look for it again so I can change the Context. I know many people hated the “Clean Up” button, and I know it was inconsistent with the iPhone and iPad implementations. Still, I will miss it… Great job, but… (and I know I will be on my own on this one) ... one feature I found quite refreshing was the “Clean Up” button. It was great to have the peace of mind of knowing the item I was editing wouldn’t disappear from my screen until I wanted it to go away.

Explaining: when I am using the “Due items” view, and want to change the Due Date and the Context, for example (I have this often as I change an item from Agenda to Waiting when I get to talk to someone about it and then have to wait for them to respond). If I change the due date, the item goes to another place in the list, so I have to look for it again so I can change the Context.

I know many people hated the “Clean Up” button, and I know it was inconsistent with the iPhone and iPad implementations. Still, I will miss it…

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Bob Laycock http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7280 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7280 There was life before OmniFocus and life after.  I can’t imagine what I would do without OF and GTD (which I first heard about through Omni).  Initially I found the appearance disappointing, but I’ve come to believe that beauty is only skin deep.  It’s what’s inside that counts.  A prettier UI would be great, but I have to trust you guys.  Please don’t sacrifice your power for looks.  That said, I’m excited to see what you come up with in v2.0. There was life before OmniFocus and life after.  I can’t imagine what I would do without OF and GTD (which I first heard about through Omni).  Initially I found the appearance disappointing, but I’ve come to believe that beauty is only skin deep.  It’s what’s inside that counts.  A prettier UI would be great, but I have to trust you guys.  Please don’t sacrifice your power for looks.  That said, I’m excited to see what you come up with in v2.0.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by radiophage http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7279 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7279 My use of OF goes back to the Kinkless-GTD days, and it’s still my most-used software on both mac and iPhone.  Keep up the great work everyone—looking forward to the future! My use of OF goes back to the Kinkless-GTD days, and it’s still my most-used software on both mac and iPhone.  Keep up the great work everyone—looking forward to the future!

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Andrew Threlfo http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7276 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7276 I love how OmniFocus works - it’s amazing! But I’ve never loved the look. But if you gave it some stylistic ideas from the iPad version that’d be awesome. Keep up the great work guys :) I love how OmniFocus works - it’s amazing! But I’ve never loved the look. But if you gave it some stylistic ideas from the iPad version that’d be awesome. Keep up the great work guys :)

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by mono tone http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7274 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7274 The new view bar is way too heavy, the old one was much nicer. The new view bar is way too heavy, the old one was much nicer.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Josh Turansky http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7273 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7273 I’ve been using OmniFocus since day one and its changed my life. It was the perfect tool at the perfect time. I’m loving OmniFocus for the iPad as well. The app is designed perfectly for the device; especially the “forecast” button. Keep up the great work! I’ve been using OmniFocus since day one and its changed my life. It was the perfect tool at the perfect time. I’m loving OmniFocus for the iPad as well. The app is designed perfectly for the device; especially the “forecast” button.

Keep up the great work!

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00 Comment by Oyvind Solstad http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7272 http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/OmniFocus_1.8_Design_Report#7272 What can I say; you guys rock. OmniFocus on the iPad is the nicest piece of software I ever have touched on a mobile device. Can’t wait to see what 2.0 for Mac brings. What can I say; you guys rock. OmniFocus on the iPad is the nicest piece of software I ever have touched on a mobile device. Can’t wait to see what 2.0 for Mac brings.

]]> 2013-04-26T22:01:15+00:00