RELEASE: Actiontastic 0.9.2
Download Actiontastic 0.9.2
(Mac OS X 10.4 Required)
The new Actiontastic release is out, and with it comes a serious set of upgrades. Over the last few days, I have blogged about the new Quicksilver and Inbox bling, plus the new Mail and Anti-Drawer upgrades. On top of this, there is another feature that is just for the productivity black belts out there.
What’s the Next Action?
If you’re seriously into GTD or even just focused on moving your projects forward using your own personal system, you probably ask yourself “What’s the next action?” several times a day. This near-magic question keeps projects from growing stale and ambiguous. With this new release, I am happy to say that Actiontastic is way smarter about answering this question.
A short while ago, new filters were introduced that hid projects and contexts with start dates beyond the current day as well as those that were “paused.” Several of you remarked that it would be great if those filters went all the way down to the action level. My response has always been that it was just a matter of time and code. The time has come and these filters go all the way down. And, they also interact intuitively with the other filters above the action lists. Give them a shot and let me know what you think.
Speaking of the Next Action, What About 1.0?
I recently promised in The Hub to give the rest of the plan for 1.0 here on the blog, so here it is. The next major Actiontastic release will be 1.0. It will include web syncing with Actionatr. Today’s release is nearly feature complete, but 1.0 will also include printing support, automatic updates, integrated Apple Help and a few other items.
As always, our interactions make these releases what they are. A sincere thank you goes out to each of you who shared your thoughts on Twitter, in The Hub, over email or on this blog.
James Byers wrote:
Awesome - thanks! Actiontastic is pretty much everything I could have hoped for at this point. The new inbox mechanics are fantastic.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 12:40 am | Permalink
Ragnar Freyr wrote:
Great update. Congratulations.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 12:46 am | Permalink
Colman wrote:
Crashing for me (somewhere in the iSync stuff) on launch.
Now, what’s doing that?
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 1:03 am | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Colman:
If you have a moment to post a bug report in the Hub, please do so and I will work to fix whatever caused the problem. Thanks!
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 1:09 am | Permalink
Colman wrote:
Looks like a reboot fixed it: my iSync has been acting funny for a few days.
Can we do code fragments here?Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 1:18 am | Permalink
Colman wrote:
Right. It bugged out with:
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 1:18 am | Permalink
Colman wrote:
You need a link to the Hub in the navigation here …
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 1:24 am | Permalink
Actiontastic 0.9.2 beta is out .:. eDragonu - the choice of a personal path wrote:
[…] As I already posted yesterday, Actiontastic hit with the latest version tagged “beta”, namely 0.9.2. According to the release announcement, this would be the last one before the first oficial 1.0 version. That 1.0 version will have, if the developer knows what he says, a very interesting sync feature with Actionatr, the online sibling of Actiontastic, and we will have to wait no more than several weeks to see that happening. […]
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 2:22 am | Permalink
Uno wrote:
Nice release. I’ll keep nagging about making the interface keyboard friendly, though ;-)
On that note, you should check the tab index (at least that’s what it’s called in html). When I tab from contexts to item list in Contexts, and hit tab a couple of times more, the selection disappears and cannot be brought back with shift-tab. Same if you shift tab a couple of times when the context list is selected.
offtopic:
Heh, I see in your twitters that you listen to Reich and Bartok. We used to analyze them back in music college, together with John Cage, Philip Glass, Arne Nordheim and a bunch of other crazy people :-P
/offtopic
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 2:25 am | Permalink
Uno wrote:
Forget the middle part there, I’ll post it as a bug in the Hub. :-)
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 2:25 am | Permalink
Ben wrote:
Thank you Jon for the release. I love the new Quicksilver integration. And the Anti-Drawer looks so neat. Nice.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 4:11 am | Permalink
Tomislav wrote:
I have a problem with Mail integration. In MailTags I do a “Copy message url” and paste it in the url field. When I click the arrow to open the url Safari is launched an it gives a “Safari can’t open the page “http://localhost/” because it could not connect to the server “localhost”.” error. If I paste the url into the safari url box it opens Mail with that email fine.
I presume that Actiontastic should open Mail, not Safari for message://
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 6:35 am | Permalink
Dana wrote:
Just love it! I’ve been trying EVERY app but this one is the best and the first one I’ve stuck with for more than a week – but I simply cannot commit until I can PRINT a list out. Why can’t that be done even from the beta? Seems like a major problem to get people hooked on buying it without this basic feature… please add printing! I still need paper sometimes (might be my age, which I won’t share here). Everything else is working fine for me in the new beta and LOVE the Anti-Drawer!
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 7:55 am | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Everyone:
Thanks for checking out the release!
@Uno:
It sounds like the tab indexing is moving into the hidden third pane. This will be fixed. And, yes, Reich and Bartok are some of my favorites.
@Tomislav:
I cannot reproduce this one. (Both the URL copy and the MailTags ToDo methods are working here.) If you are running the latest version of MailTags and would like a hand, please email my first name at this domain and I can help directly troubleshoot this.
@Dana:
Thanks for the kind words. 1.0 will finally bring the printing support that you mention.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 8:40 am | Permalink
Robb Irrgang wrote:
Everything sounds great so far, but there’s a few things I wouldn’t mind seeing prioritized.. basic stuff.
1. i can’t select multiple tasks within a project. sometimes a project grows out of control and splits into multiple - if i want to drag 10 tasks to a newly created project from an existing one, this takes 10 drags right now.
2. default context. please, please. i don’t use contexts all that much and the whole ‘no context’ default bugs me when i see it on my list.
3. i can hit ‘delete’ when a task is selected, which pops up a dialog. i can’t hit delete with a project name selected. consistency is king.
Either way, looking forward to seeing all the new stuff. It sounds impressive.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 8:58 am | Permalink
Ben wrote:
@Robb #2:
You can rename the default context to whatever label (eg. @Everywhere) you like. Just doubleclick on the name in context view, rename, enter, done.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 12:48 pm | Permalink
Chris wrote:
I’m having two small problems (I think).
When I type something in the start date box, it doesn’t show up until I enter it twice (e.g., I typed 3/5 in “Start”, it didn’t show up, and even though the second time I accidentally wrote “Saturday” it finally showed up as 3/5/2007).
The other problem is that it won’t create the sync to iCal — I hadn’t used this feature before, but wanted to start so I could get the mail feature to work. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 2:48 pm | Permalink
Michael Daigle wrote:
Just wanted to mention that I’m having the same problem as Dana. I go to a message in Mail, select “copy message URL” and then jump to Actiontastic and paste it into the URL space in the Anti-drawer (great name).
When I click on the triangle to take me to the message, it launches Safari and tries to open a page called http://localhost/
Needless to say, this doesn’t work.
Would love to see a fix - I’m getting VERY interested in this program.
Thanks… MD
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 4:14 pm | Permalink
Jane Quigley wrote:
I’m also had the same issue when I set up a rule in Mail to run the applescript for “to iCalInbox”.
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 9:25 pm | Permalink
Jane Quigley wrote:
BTW - LOVE this app!
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 9:26 pm | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Rob Irrgang:
#1 and #3 are in the planned features pipeline.
@Chris:
If you enter 3/5, the date field probably isn’t validating, whereas 3/5/07 should work (as well as “tomorrow” etc.) For a quick sync fix, try the steps in the last paragraph of the FAQ page.
@Michael Daigle and @Jane Quigley:
I am looking into the URL issue with Safari. Firefox is my default browser, but I have also set Safari to the default without any success reproducing the issue.
Thank you for the reports!
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 10:14 pm | Permalink
Mic Edwards wrote:
Is it just me, or is there some weirdness about the use of the ‘@’ symbol now?
If I use the Quicksilver link to create a new context using the text ‘@home’, it shows up in my context list as ‘home’ …
So, do I need to type ‘@@home’ to add a new home context?
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 1:05 am | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Mic:
This is true. That was the only way to allow adding a context without the “@” symbol (for those who prefer not to use it). I should have made a note of this in my post.
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 7:51 am | Permalink
Peter Herndon wrote:
I’d like to see, in addition to full keyboard support, the ability to attach multiple URLs to an action or project. In addition, I’d like to see the ability to attach multiple files to an action or project. For reference, kGTD has OmniOutliner’s abilities to handle URLs or files dragged into the document, and OmniOutliner knows what to do when you click them.
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 12:26 pm | Permalink
Betsey wrote:
I just wanted to add that I’m also having the localhost problem with Safari… when I click on the arrow next to an arrow I get the same error message they did. I tried clicking URLs in other software (MS Word etc) and it seemed to work okay. Other than that, looks like a great release.
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 2:24 pm | Permalink
ChrisH wrote:
Jon,
Another great release - the app is looking more and more polished. It’s also really good that the lean, mean GTD machine philosophy is continuing.
One small wish though if I may… I think the iPod and iCal sync are great ideas but for me they are useless as I don’t carry either around with me a lot.
What I do carry aound with me all the time is my phone which I sync using iSync. I’m sure there are many people in this situation who have devices which they diligently sync with their macs and would love to be able to take a potted actiontastic with them.
iSync integration into the next release would definitely be my top requirement.
thanks,
ChrisH
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 9:22 pm | Permalink
Andrew wrote:
I second the iSync/.Mac integration request. The main reason I chose to buy Yojimbo was because of that feature, and wouldn’t hesitate to buy Actiontastic if it followed suit.
Posted on 02-Mar-07 at 3:15 am | Permalink
Colman wrote:
Andres and ChrisH, it syncs fine with your phone: sync Actiontastic with iCal and the phone with iCal. Works with both my phone and my Palm T|X.
Posted on 02-Mar-07 at 8:32 am | Permalink
GD wrote:
The date field could be in a more custom format (preferences?) Although i work (mostly) with US/UK english i would like a custom date format (more readable) like “Thu 8 March 2007″ or someone might want “yyyy/mm/dd”
Posted on 05-Mar-07 at 5:08 am | Permalink
Jesse Perry wrote:
Hi,
I have a feature request of Actiontastic remembering if details panel is open when you quit, then re-launch Actiontastic.
I always forget I put more information about some actions without it open, and this would help.
Thanks!
- Jesse
Posted on 05-Mar-07 at 7:58 am | Permalink
Jürgen Groth wrote:
Good day,
I operate in Mail with Mailtags. If I create a function for a
E-Mail, and a date input and as calendars @inbox, I get all
specification (including URL) in the Inbox from ActionTastic to to
see. If I assign these then to a project, those disappears to URL and
also the adjusted date. Why?
Yours sincerely Juergen Groth
P.S. Translated with Sherlock
Guten Tag,
ich arbeite in Mail mit Mailtags. Wenn ich für eine E-Mail eine Aufgabe erstelle, und ein Datum eingebe und als Kalender @inbox, bekomme ich alle Angaben (einschließlich URL) in der Inbox von ActionTastic zu sehen. Ordne ich diese dann einem Projekt zu, verschwindet die URL und auch das eingestellte Datum. Warum?
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Jürgen Groth
P.S. Übersetzt mit Sherlock
Posted on 06-Mar-07 at 3:21 am | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Everyone:
A new release (minor update, not 1.0 just yet) is being prepared that should address the issues reported here and in the Hub. Thank you for checking out the app and reporting your findings.
Posted on 06-Mar-07 at 7:25 am | Permalink
Stephen wrote:
I’m enjoying exploring Actionistic!
Would it be possible to add time-date stamps for item creation and completion. ie, record when an item is first created and when it is checked off.
Thanks for your great work.
Posted on 06-Mar-07 at 9:32 am | Permalink
Ryan wrote:
I’m really liking this application, but the lack of Command-W close functionality is driving me crazy. I haven’t seen anyone reference it in my reading of comments or when using the search functionality here. Is there some reason that this isn’t done, and do you plan on including it before 1.0?
Posted on 06-Mar-07 at 8:55 pm | Permalink
Kevin Swan wrote:
Very cool!
One thing I was disappointed by: Actiontastic doesn’t automatically slurp in calendars from iCal that have @ in front of them. Nor does it recognize an existing calendar with the same name.
E.g., I have an @Calls calendar. I have tasks in it. I think AT should automatically see the @Calls and assume it’s a context and import them. If it can’t do that, then at least have it work like this:
I have @Calls in iCal, with tasks
I create an @Calls context in AT
I sync
AT recognizes the calendars have the same name and imports the existing tasks.
As it stands, it creates a second calendar with the exact same name as the existing ones. This will cause havoc with .mac and other syncing (palm, etc.).
Thoughts?
Posted on 07-Mar-07 at 2:53 pm | Permalink
Jon wrote:
@Stephan:
That may be possible for a future version as the database already stores the info in the background.
@Ryan:
The Cmd+W request is popular, but won’t be out before 1.0. 0.9.2 is the last major release before 1.0. 0.9.3 will be out soon with a few minor bug fixes but won’t include any new window management details so as to keep things stable on the way to 1.0.
@Kevin:
Actiontastic keeps track of the calendars it owns via SyncServices and only works with those calendars. There may be an addition in a future release that allows explicit import, but I am weary of doing this automatically with the “@” symbol on the chance that people may be evaluating more than one system and don’t want to mix data.
Posted on 08-Mar-07 at 12:54 am | Permalink
Kevin Swan wrote:
Jon,
I certainly understand, but it’s taking me hours to move into your system. I hope I like it! A simple import would have been helpful.
Another suggestion which would have saved me much time: allow me to select multiple items and move them (e.g., select multiple tasks and drag them all to the same project).
$.02
Posted on 10-Mar-07 at 12:54 am | Permalink
Alex wrote:
I downloaded and tried out the beta today. looks great! the only thing is i think there should be an “All” section as the first selection in the projects section. in the all selection projects would be viewed as expandable folders with their contexts’ over to the far right side. just and idea :-)
Posted on 11-Mar-07 at 9:59 am | Permalink
Alex S. wrote:
Hi Jon,
Just discovered Actiontastic this past weekend, and I am really impressed with it. I’ve been looking for a simple, clean GTD solution for Mac for some time now, and yours is the best I’ve come across.
I particularly like that you can manually drag and drop actions to change their order (a feature inexplicably missing from other apps) as well as the iPod integration.
One bug(?) I have discovered on the iPod, though, is that the 10th item on any given list of actions within the Projects subdirectory is always preceded by a two-digit number (10) vs. a three-digit number as used by all the others (e.g. 001). Unfortunately, this means that on the iPod, the 10th task in a Projects list is always out of order. Any way you could address this in your next release of Actiontastic?
Thank you for this lovely piece of software.
Alex S.
Posted on 12-Mar-07 at 11:07 am | Permalink
TubbyMike wrote:
Hi Jon,
Apologies if I’m I’m too late and you have addressed this already, but I’m having the same problem as Chris above (28th Feb): I have to enter the value in the start date for a task twice, since it is blanked the first time in.
This is by no means fatal, just irksome. If you could polish this up if you have time, it would be appreciated.
Great software and the interoperability with standard Apple software is a real winner and a big advantage over some of the other productivity apps I’ve tried.
Best,
Mike.
Posted on 13-Mar-07 at 9:22 am | Permalink
sheemer wrote:
Hi Jon,
I have a suggestion. It would be nicer if Actiontaastic can set the date properties through within a calendar picker dialog, which is like something you can see at the bottom left of iCal.
Best,
sheemer
Posted on 17-Mar-07 at 5:10 pm | Permalink
yann wrote:
This release is great. I’m actually switching from kGTD today. I have a few comments on possible features/improvments. I hope it’s cool I post here.
# add “effort” “time” and “priority” to tasks so that we can filter them just like with the current “Next Action” etc… but UI wise, it should probably be different since ideally you’d want to be able to select any of those simultaneously…
# drag+drop of files in the URL part of the detail window… it almost work already, if you drag in the text window you get the path… all you’d have to do is get the same functionality + add “file:///” if you type it manually, it already works on .txt files, not all file types work though…
# add visual cue to actions when a link is attached
#same thing for notes
# have due date, start date in the list view (column customizable like in Finder/iTunes, etc… by control+clicking on their header) and have columns sortable.
That’s it for now.
Also, I could help if you need some CSS/HTML coding done, I’m sort of an expert at it ;) Stop by my site if you want to check my skills… I just posted an actiontastic review their on my blog too…
Thanks for this GREAT app!!
Posted on 17-Mar-07 at 8:13 pm | Permalink
sixlaneve wrote:
great stuff… it went straight to my dock (place reserved only for the finder!)
Posted on 20-Mar-07 at 4:10 pm | Permalink
mark wrote:
Great tool. It would be helpful if the process inbox menu allowed you to create a project name other than the title that you had for the action item. Also due dates would be nice.
Both of these would accelerate inbox processing.
Posted on 10-Apr-07 at 3:16 pm | Permalink
Paul wrote:
Hello,
Indeed, this is the best GTD implementation. Simple, neat, gets out of the way. Switched instantly from iGTD. :-)
There is just one feature I would like to see and I did not see mentioned here: recurring actions. As fair as I can see, I can emulate recurring actions by simply doing the action when it is due and then setting the due date to the next desired ocurrence, but still…
Great, great job!
Posted on 19-Sep-07 at 1:59 pm | Permalink