Virus Scan for TaskMerlin Professional Edition

Jaroslaw Hi, is there some integration with MS Outlook available? eg. email to task conversion?

Apr 5 2015 at 1:59pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Hi Jaroslaw, yes, you can copy-and-paste (or drag-and-drop) Outlook e-mails, appointments and tasks into TaskMerlin. For details, see the "Reference | Microsoft Outlook Integration" topic in the TaskMerlin help file. You can also e-mail tasks - see the "Using TaskMerlin | Sending E-Mail" help topic.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 5 2015 at 2:45pm Copy Link

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_*_ @Andrew Macdonald, This looks like a very nice program. I was about to purchase Chaos Intellect and then saw this was coming on sale at Bits so I am giving it a go.
I would mainly use this to keep appointments and track home projects that need attention.
I have a few questions after using the program for a bit. I was unable to find answers to what I was trying to do in the help.
1. Is there a way to color code appointments? I figure if there were it would be by Context. It would make it easy to visually scan items if they could be color coded. Either the text or the row (or a section of the row) background color (or both).
2. Is there a way to set a default calendar view (i.e week at a time, month, etc.)?

I know it is not part of the program, but do you think it might be possible to consider listing appointments, todos, etc. showing how many days until an appointment, or todo is scheduled? In particular like MyLifeOrganized presents it.
It is so easy to scan and see something coming up say in 2 Days, 16 Days, etc..

Really like it thus far, Thanks

Apr 5 2015 at 4:15pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Thanks _*_! Yes, you can color code appointments and other items. To do this, add the "Foreground" or "Background" column to the Item Grid (via the "Manage | Columns" menu option) or to the "Edit Item" window (right-click in the top area of the window and select from the "Add Field | Attribute | ..." context menu). Aside from coloring, another option is to use an item filter to display the appointments you are interested in (e.g., those coming up in the next week).

There isn't a default calendar view setting. However if you were viewing the Calendar when you exited TaskMerlin, it will remember your day/week/month timeline when you restart. Note that you will first need to open the "Tools | Options" window, select the "TaskMerlin User | Login" section and uncheck the "Specify item selected on login" checkbox (otherwise you will continue to see the "Welcome!" item when you start TaskMerlin).

Your "days until an appointment/todo is scheduled" suggestion is a good idea - I've noted it as a feature request.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 5 2015 at 6:19pm Copy Link

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_*_ @Andrew Macdonald, thanks for the response.
I was just coming back here to update my post as I found the Background, and Foreground method you mentioned.
There are two questions now that I have learned how to color items.
1. Can the program be set to color all specific Context items (e.g. Office, Personal, etc.) a set color, so it does not have to be done after the fact on each item separately?
2. I have created (i.e. Defined) Custom Colors, but TM does not seem to save the custom color. I have to type in the RGB numbers each time for each item (too time consuming).

Thanks for considering the days until appointment numbering.

The more I learn the program the more I like it.

Apr 5 2015 at 6:35pm Copy Link

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Ronald Jurman Very interesting.

How does 'Install to USB Flash Drive' differ from just storing the database on the flash drive? Is it a full portable install?

Reports are available under the registered Pro version, but not the Trial version. Are there standard reports (overdue, conflicts, running late), that kind of thing?

Many thanks.

P.S. And agreed on the days until due feature.

Apr 5 2015 at 7:50pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @_*_, there unfortunately isn't a way to set the color based on the context. The color rules are those listed in the "Database | Rules | Colors" section of the "Tools | Options" window (e.g., for completed, highest priority and overdue items). One other option is to add the "Child Foreground" and "Child Background" to the "Item Edit" window layout. When a color is set for a folder, all new and existing sub-items will be displayed in that color.

Anyway I've noted context coloring as a feature request. (If anyone else reading likes this particular idea, or any others, feel free to mention them.)

I agree it should remember the custom colors. That will be fixed for the next update.

Thanks for your feedback!

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 5 2015 at 8:57pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @Ronald, yes, it's a full portable install. It stores the program and license info on the flash drive so you can run TaskMerlin at any PC. (Note that the default PC installation can be done on a license holder's work PC, home PC and laptop, so that may be sufficient for most people anyway without needing to use the portable option.)

The project reports can be found under the "File | Print | ..." menu and are all available in the trial except for the HTML version of the "Folders and Item Grid" report which is available in the Pro version only.

Otherwise, reporting is done via the Filters pane where they are customizable. For example, to create a filter to show overdue tasks, create a new filter, click on the "Advanced" button and add the following lines:

Status | Is not | Completed
Deadline | Is less than or equal to | $TODAY

The items that meet those criteria are displayed in the Item Grid (and the list can be printed if need be).

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 5 2015 at 9:16pm Copy Link

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Ronald Jurman @Andrew Macdonald

Nice!

Many thanks.

Apr 5 2015 at 10:21pm Copy Link

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_*_ Thank you Andrew for such responsiveness; it is very refreshing from a developer. I really hope the Color-by-Context makes it into the program.

I did "stress" the program a bit. It did not crash, but it seemed to not like what I did though.

- Main program running.
- Opened a Quick Notes windows (to track RGB numbers until next update).
- Opened the Background color window (to see RGB colors).

The program acted as if it had no response. It needed me to close the Background color window, but it was buried under the other windows.

I could Alt-Tab to see it, but when I tried to have it display as active so I could mouse click on it, it would vanish to the bottom again (as soon as I took my fingers off Alt-Tab).
In the end I tried (and it worked) to Alt-Tab to the Background window and while showing I hit the Enter key and it closed the window.
I then had control once again of the program.

Just thought you might like to know.
I think it speaks to a solid program that could be stressed without crashing.

Looking forward to the deal.

EDIT: Found something. When sorting by column heading, it appears TM does not save this sort view. Meaning, I sort the Calendar by "Start" so it shows Todays appointment and all other below by Start date.
If I go to any other area of the program, or close and open it the sort by Start is not remembered and I have to manually resort again to see Todays appointments at the top and sorted by date.
Not sure if I am missing something or not.

Apr 6 2015 at 4:16am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Thanks _*_, I've noted it for further investigation. What is happening there is that the Quick Notes is configured to be the top-most window. But the color window has the focus. So the best workaround would be to open the Options window, select the "TaskMerlin User | Quick Notes" section and uncheck the "Display the Quick Notes windows above other windows" option.

With the sorting, the items in each folder have an intrinsic order (dragging them up or down will shift them in the Items pane). Clicking on the column header will only temporarily change the sort order which will be lost once you leave the folder, as you've found. To save this sort order as the default, click on the dropdown arrow on the "Sort by default order" toolbar button and select the "Save default order" option. (Note: You may first need to add the toolbar button to the Items pane - you can do this by clicking on the dropdown arrow at the end of the Items pane toolbar.)

An alternative option is to create a filter called Appointments which automatically sorts by Start date. To do this, create a new filter, click on the "Advanced" button and add the following line:

Item Type | Is one of | Appointment Event Meeting

In the "Sort Designer" tab, add the following line:

Start | Ascending

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 6 2015 at 7:43am Copy Link

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FinanceGuy I have to admit that when I installed Taskmerlin yesterday, I has not impressed. I still feel that some operations require too many mouse clicks, but it is definitely growing on me and I can see many useful features. I am considering a purchase and have a couple of questions:

1. Are all program settings (layout, colors, custom filters, users, etc) saved within the database file? If I copy my task database from my PC to a USB stick, will all that be available?
2. Version 5 was released in 2012, quite a while ago. Since this license covers only minor updates within 5.x I have to ask when do you expect version 6 to be released?
3. Do you offer further discounts for multiple license purchases?
4. How did you come up with the name Taskmerlin? :-)

Apr 6 2015 at 11:21am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Hi Flo, some ideas to help reduce mouse-clicks:
- Try in-place editing mode. Use the F2 key to toggle the mode in any pane or set it by default in the "TaskMerlin User | Login" section of the Options window.
- Try the shortcut keys. They are listed in the "Reference | Shortcut Keys" topic in the help file.
- If updating multiple column values at once, select items, right-click on any field and select the "Set ..." context menu option.

Regarding your questions:
1. Almost all of the program settings are stored in the database (with the exception of some PC-specific layout information). You only need to copy the database file.
2. I expect Version 6 to be released near the end of the year.
3. The 60% Bits Du Jour discount applies to multiple license purchases. (There isn't an additional volume discount.)
4. The TaskMerlin name came from the idea of waving a magic wand and having all your tasks done. Still working on that feature... :-)

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 6 2015 at 2:45pm Copy Link

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_*_ @Andrew Macdonald, what is the typical Upgrade price; thinking from version 5 to version 6? I am personally looking at the Personal version; to keep my own life in a bit of order!

Apr 6 2015 at 4:25pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @_*_, enjoy! The upgrade discount between major versions is 50%.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 6 2015 at 5:08pm Copy Link

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:o) @Andrew Macdonald, thanks

Still trying to learn everything. Let me suggest (unless it can be done now), in a future Update/Upgrade it would be very beneficial to have the program remember "pane" sizing.

I have adjusted the left-hand pane to be narrower many times now, only to have it revert back to its default size. I adjust it so I have more screen space for the right hand side to see more. Once it reverts back it messes up all the sizing I had worked on in the right side of the screen.

It would be nice to have a menu choice to "Save Window Positions," or have the program do so automatically.

Thanks

Apr 7 2015 at 4:30am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @:o), it should be remembering the pane sizing automatically. Do you mind emailing me at support@taskmerlin.com and I'll try to get to the bottom of the problem.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 7 2015 at 5:17am Copy Link

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Metta Zetty I have just a few quick questions:
> Does TM include a forward/backward navigation option?
> Can tables be inserted into the TM text editor?
> Can multiple items be opened simultaneously in side-by-side windows?
> Is there a quick-and-easy way to link individual items to one another?

Thanks,
Metta

Apr 7 2015 at 9:44am Copy Link

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:o) @Andrew Macdonald, support email sent. Thanks

Apr 7 2015 at 10:25am Copy Link

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FinanceGuy @Andrew

Thanks for your responses! I have a few more questions:

1. Current behavior seems to be that if a task is added and a reminder is not separately defined, there will be no notification when the deadline date/time of this task arrives. I would think that if a deadline is defined, a reminder should be provided as default. I have seen tasks become overdue without me ever receiving a reminder. Is there a way to avoid this?

I also noticed the reminder presets "in an hour", "in two hours" etc. Would it not make more sense to have them based on the task due date, like "an hour before the deadline", "two hours before the deadline" etc ?

2. How do reminders work with recurring events? For example, for a task with a deadline every week on Monday at 9 am, with a reminder at 8 am. Would I have to set the reminder manually each week?

3. Does an option for an audible alarm in addition to the popup exist?

Thanks in advance!

Apr 7 2015 at 12:16pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Hi Metta,
- You can navigate using the green arrows in the top-left corner of the main window.
- Tables aren't supported in the editor.
- You can't open multiple items simultaneously.
- The Gantt Chart view makes it easy to link items (by clicking on the link toolbar button).

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 7 2015 at 4:03pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @Flo,

The reminder has its own date field (called "My Reminder Date") and it doesn't have an association with the "Deadline" field. As such, it always need to be set manually.

I would instead recommend using filters to keep track of upcoming deadlines. For example, you can create a filter with the following lines:

Status | Is not | Completed
Deadline | Is not null |

And in the sort designer tab, add the following line:

Deadline | Ascending

This will also work automatically with recurring tasks (whereas, again, any reminder would need to be set manually.)

There isn't a built-in audible alarm for reminders. However you can have a reminder trigger an external audio file to play. To do this, open the Options window, select the "TaskMerlin User | Reminders" section and enter the audio filename in the "Run this program" field.

BTW, I agree that associating the reminder with the deadline is an intuitive way of doing it. I've noted it as a possible future enhancement.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 7 2015 at 4:11pm Copy Link

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FinanceGuy OK, thanks very much for your explanations.

Apr 7 2015 at 5:32pm Copy Link

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Metta Zetty @Andrew - Thanks for your prompt and helpful feedback, Andrew. I appreciate the update.

Apr 7 2015 at 7:40pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald For anyone affected by the pane sizing issue mentioned by :o) above, a fix is to open the "Tools | Options" window, select the "Item Grid" section and uncheck the "Autosize Summary column" checkbox.

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 7 2015 at 7:57pm Copy Link

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_*_ @Andrew Macdonald, Purchased and registered.

Thank you for all the help you offered before this promotion even started.

Your ready help and kind responses on top of excellent software, made this purchase an easy decision.

I have one comment/suggestion.

I had to use my bitsdujour email (paid via PayPal), as well as my Bits user name to register.

I typically use an alias email for sites, and rarely use my actual name (our full name) in the profile area.

It would be good to not tie the registration to a third party sites registration, but to your own sites registration process.

Thanks again

Apr 8 2015 at 4:09am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @_*_, you're welcome and thank you!

Also thanks for your suggestion - I'll discuss it with Bits Du Jour.

(As it currently operates, the Bits first/last name is used to generate the license key in the receipt email and then the same name and key are used to register TaskMerlin.)

Interfathom, LLC - Apr 8 2015 at 8:13am Copy Link

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MK Andrew MacDonald - in April 2015 you said "I expect Version 6 to be released near the end of the year."
Current version is still 5.2.
Is it still the plan to charge for the major upgrade from 5.2 to 6?

Jan 11 2016 at 1:38pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @MK, yes that's still the plan. However Version 6 is still a long way from release at any rate.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 11 2016 at 6:51pm Copy Link

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Patroklos Kazazis Very Beautiful program!! Very nice addition of the Gantt Chart!!
Forgive me for the length of this message.

Some things I failed on making them working.Let me be a little more clear:

My setup is:
[Win 7 Ultimate 64bit]
[Microsoft Outlook 2007 32bit] in which I use Calendar and Color Coded Categories heavilly.
Portability of the Calendar actions is maintained through third party software which syncs to Android through Wi-Fi.

Things that I didn't manage to work are the Following (Please Correct me if there is way to do this and I just didn't find it yet. I've been experimented with your software from last night and I read much of the manual you provide in the site). Still I hope I didn't miss something.

Grid Note
1) Rich Text Format notes lose formatting when either sent to Outlook or Draged and Droped from Outlook to TaskMerlin.
2) Please correct me if I am wrong but the only outline that I found was only in the folders window. Would love to be able to do similar outlining in the Item grid.
3) Apart from reminder I didn't find a time schedule (like set item for an event from 19:00 to 20:00 to have that time blocked in TaskMerlin Calendar.

TaskMerlin Calendar
4) Drag & Drop a multi day item (2 or 3 days) of the calendar item on another date seems not to work as intended. It either changed the duration of the multi day item (without me accidentally clicking on the snap edges of it) or didn't move it at all. Tried with editing Start Date / End Date to see if that would solve it but still I had problems to make it work as intended in the integrated TaskMerlin Calendar.

Things that I'd suggest you might consider implementing in the future:
5) sync through Wi-Fi and not through Google for Security Reasons (Office Stuff).

6) In order Not to depend on Outlook Sync (which could be Risky and Time Consuming). Just make an Option for importing items from Outlook like:

- Categories (give the ability to have background color for clarity)

- Events and give (Drag and Drop convenience on other dates or CTRL+Drop a copy of the calendar item to be able to edit only part of it and keep the rest attributes intact)

- Contacts with attributes (also ability for some custom attributes to be added)

- and ability for Interlinking Contacts to events-item grid!!

This way many people would prefer TaskMerlin over Outlook (Outlook doesn't have Gantt and Projects integrated). ;) It is time consuming to have several programs and trying all of them to work together than having one that could do the trick and let the productivity flow.

I liked very much the looks of your software, you have made a very nice work on it and it is beautiful aesthetically. Only thing that I would suggest for is to make the Font Height in the Options Menu and the Toolbars a little bigger (not everyone is a youngster) :) or Implement it as extra in the Options=>Fonts & Color. Secondly you could use Bigger vector Icons in the Folders section (maybe as an option in the settings) for more Visual Clarity.

Jan 14 2016 at 11:30am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Thanks for your comments Patroklos!

Grid Note:
1) I will look into this.
2) Yes outlining in only available in the Folders pane (via the "Show non-folder items" toolbar button). I've noted grid outlining as a feature request.
3) If you open the task in the "Edit Item" window, you can set the date/time for Start and Finish fields and it will appear in the Calendar. If you are not seeing the time component, you can specify the date/time format in the "Database | Date and Time" section of the "Tools | Options" window.

Calendar:
4) I will investigate this as well.

Thanks also for your remaining useful suggestions, I've noted those.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 14 2016 at 1:42pm Copy Link

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Patroklos Kazazis Andrew thank you for your answer,

In terms of my inability to find the time component shown, after your suggestion, I realized that by having "Database | Date and Time" = "f" the time is hidden because the date/time box (with that setting) has inadequate width to show everything. You can only see it only after putting the cursor inside the date/time box and moving it with the Right arrow several times.

One more Suggestion is to be able to speed up the time adjustment by giving the ability to change the hours with the mouse wheel and the minutes probably by an increment of 5 minutes instead of having every time to type it (slower process).

Jan 14 2016 at 2:42pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @Patroklos, yes that makes sense. It would be nice to be able to extend the width of that date/time box, perhaps when stretching the window width. Also great suggestion re. the mouse wheel - that should be easy to implement.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 14 2016 at 3:31pm Copy Link

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Patroklos Kazazis Andrew I tried to made a purchase but I had a bitsdujour Code: 666-3 error. Since it is night here and I am not sure if I will manage to top up tomorrow morning my paypal account in time before the time runs out, is there something we can do in order not to lose the deal?

Jan 14 2016 at 4:53pm Copy Link

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Steven Avery Having used, for awhile, programs like Task Coach and ToDoList, (oh, also Swift To-Do List wihch is pretty good) I can see that the extra functionality and flexibility might make this a keeper. I am not a fan of the name, because of the wizardry connection.

Anyway, if we get the standard today (after a test I might well like it as simply a personal tool) can we have a period of time to decide on an upgrade to the Professional? And how does any corroboration work in practice? Is there a server, sync methods or hat?

And can you tell us more about the developer(s). I see some USA addresses, but that does not mean the program is necessarily written or supported from here. And do you have other products. When was version 1 released?

Steven

Jan 14 2016 at 9:13pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Patroklos, just check with Bits Du Jour since they handle the purchasing for the day. If it can't be resolved in time, just contact me at support

taskmerlin.com and I'll make sure you still get the deal.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 14 2016 at 9:33pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Stephen, yes, just contact me at support

taskmerlin.com if you wish to upgrade to the Professional Edition in the future. Note that the main reason for an individual would be for the Gantt Chart.

Multi-user collaboration can be done either over a local office network with a shared database file or by using SQL Server hosted in the cloud or locally. See the "Remote Database Access | Remote Connection to the Database" topic in the TaskMerlin help file for details on the different options.

Version 1 was released ten years ago. I'm the main developer and was previously in the US where the business is based but now reside in Australia. I have another product called TaskElf.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 14 2016 at 10:29pm Copy Link

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Jaroslaw Steven Avery: can you please say what in your opinion are major advantages/disadvantages of TaskMerlin over Swift To-Do List? STDL recently changed their licencing so I might consider moving to another software. Thank you. Sadly I missed this deal (again) but next time I may buy it.

Jan 15 2016 at 4:19am Copy Link

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MK Jarolsaw - I moved from TaskMerlin (v2) to STDL, but I think STDL have taken their eye off the ball recently (too much time and effort on the Cloud when they should have been sharpening up STDL functions; and subscription is a no go for me). So I was considering going back to TaskMerlin.
The great thing I liked about TaskMerlin is the Filtering which can be built SQL-like. STDL searching is pants. Unfortunately STDL does hierarchical auto-numbering of tasks which TaskMerlin doesn't (would love to be proved wrong), and I would miss that function miss dearly, so I didn't take up the BDJ promotion.

Jan 15 2016 at 5:32am Copy Link

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Steven Avery MK, can you explain why you like auto-numbering of tasks, rather than using created date, priority, or a user-defined field. Just curious to understand, thanks.

Usually I think of auto-numbering as supplying a unique key for linkage, I think this is an Access Jet database (a few years back).

Jan 15 2016 at 8:35am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Good question.

Jaroslaw, he might allow a day after purchase by private contact, you can always ask. I am still testing.

Thakns Andrew. Right, I would only use the professional if I saw it being used as a corroborative tool on small unit projects (2-3 people). I don't see a calendar function. When a To-Do reaches a certain level of sophistication, you are looking for that.

Jaroslaw I think TaskMerlin is more robust in how you can define fields, which is a biggie. I saw 4 numeric and 4 text user defines. Also maybe a wider range of predefines. However, I have not used Swift in awhile.

The subscription model for a "ToDo" program does seem to mean that I wil not revisit Swift.

The TaskElf $20 retain looks like it might be good for the simple straightforward ToDo, compared more to Task Coach as I mentioned above.

My problem is deciding whether this will be duplication or help in an environment where I use Notezilla a lot and Listpro a bit. The Calendar function may make it into a functional PIM.

Steven

Jan 15 2016 at 8:57am Copy Link

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MK Steven Avery - because I work based on a hierarchy of tasks, and being able to plan activities & tasks this way, and refer to them by a number which is automatically managed by the software, works for me and others (and by "automatically managed" I mean auto assign a number like 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3 to tasks and if I decide to re-arrange the sequence so that task 1.2.3 goes before 1.2.2, then it automatically renumbers them. Very useful for planning and assigning tasks on the plan).
If I have a lot of tasks (can run into hundreds), then if I or someone else can refer to 1.2.2, everyone knows what's being discussed. From memory of TaskMerlin v2, it used a long hexadecimal (?) numbering of tasks - too painful to refer to in projects or reports. I don't think it has changed (I tried v5 demo).
More-so, I also do a lot of projects which use a hierarchical task analysis approach (project planning, human factors, emergency response plans for major accidents, etc.), and clear auto-numbering is a must.
As I write, I'm doing a hierarchical task analysis for the emergency response of an offshore drilling unit. So the sequence of tasks a drill floor operator would normally do, how human error could "trip" up the tasks, how to prevent/ recover from the errors, and if it all goes wrong, the sequence of tasks for an emergency response. Each task needs to be numbered in a clear way so that they can be followed sequentially, ticked-off and audited later.
STDL's advantage is that it auto-numbers; TaskMerlin doesn't. TaskMerlin's advantage is that you can add customised fields to tailor the data captured with a task; STDL only allows renaming of some existing fields.
If only there was a system that did both (maybe TaskArchitect - but maybe too specialised/ expensive?)

Jan 15 2016 at 9:42am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald @MK, TaskMerlin provides both an auto-number field (called #Item, which starts from 1) and also a hierarchical auto-number field (called TreeOrder, in the form 1.2.3.4) which can both be added as columns to the Item Grid or filtered on. For a list of all the available fields, see the "Reference | Item Fields" topic in the TaskMerlin help file.

@Steven, with multiple users connecting to a shared database, the calendar is global (select the "View | Calendar" menu option if it is not visible). It shows the dates associated with the tasks.

Interfathom, LLC - Jan 15 2016 at 12:55pm Copy Link

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Metta Zetty Do you have any plans to add tables into the Task Merlin text editor?

May 27 2016 at 9:47pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Metta, we don't plan to add tables at the present time.

Interfathom, LLC - May 31 2016 at 1:53pm Copy Link

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Metta Zetty Ok. Thanks for letting me know.

May 31 2016 at 7:33pm Copy Link

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Bruno User First, I did not trial TM (TaskMerlin) myself, so my views are "secondhand" in a way. Allow for the following remarks though:

- TM seems to use Jet, the Access db; whoever ever had to cope with Access probably shares the feeling that Jet isn't the best db choice you could do, on donationcoder somebody says that Swifttodolist (dextronet, see here on bits, too) uses something more robust (but doesn't say which db)

- Some quite negative comments on download/cnet have been left uncommented by the developer(s) so it's not entirely clear if the problems mentioned there all have been addressed in the meantime (the alleged asking for new money for addressing an important bug being, if true, being of course something to avoid in the first place, or then, a comment over there in the line of "we gave the issue a second thought and debugged the previous version, too" would have been welcome)

- The mentioned missing Gantt charts in those comments are not a problem anymore in the Prof version (but see my next point here), for the mentioned missing subtasks I don't know

- In any case, this concerns the Gantt charts, among (perhaps numerous) other things, the Pers version is crippled, i.e. you would except, for a PM software, 2 versions, 1 full version for personal use, and an extended version for network use, the only difference between the two being all the network / collaboration functionality, but that is not the case here, you need the Prof version for collaboration, but the "Personal" version lacks important elements not related to collaboration, too, so in reality it's not "Personal", but rather "Standard", the euphemism for "crippled", or in other words, even for getting the full "Personal" functionality, you will have to buy (and then, update in case) the "Prof." version, "paying" for collaborative functionality you will not need in this scenario

- The current versions are 5.2, which seem to have been released in February, 2014, that was 30 months ago; while I appreciate not being asked for update money every 3 months, development stalled (or more precisely, not even maintenance releases, since what do I know of the possible development, behind the scenes) for 30 months doesn't inspire a max of confidence

- On the other hand, during these 30 months without new development reached over to the customers, (Dollar) prices have risen 50 p.c., which means that for us poor "Euro" victims, they have more than doubled (which is to be considered for update costs); I acknowledge the 50 p.c. rise may have been motivated by the pricing and updating policies of the aforementioned, competing product which may make appear this one "very competitive" again

Again, I did not trial, so cannot judge about a probably very fine and stable software which possibly is an absolute treat at 60 bucks if the next paid (!) update (another 75 one i.e. half of 150?) doesn't come too soon.

Oh, I forgot, I did not trial since the trial version is even more crippled than the "Personal" version, so that trialling doesn't give you the real experience. This harms sales and should be avoided; if developers seriously think they cannot give away a version fully working for 30 days, for whatever reasons, they are probably better advised by shortening the trial period to 14, 15 days, but crippling their software even more, especially when the only really interesting version is the "Prof." one, as in this case, is totally de-motivating prospects to invest time in their product, since the gulf between what they are interested in (functionality of the "Prof." version) and what they get to trial is even more spectacularly widened, and totally unnecessarily so: speaking of "off-putting" here.

Aug 4 2016 at 5:37am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Bruno User, thanks for your comments. I'll try to address your points below.

- TM uses Jet and is reliable for single-user use and moderate multi-user use (up to ten users) over an office network. For those customers that need an enterprise-level database, TaskMerlin also fully supports Microsoft SQL Server.

- You can find our Download.com replies on the "Read reply(1)" links. In summary, sub-tasks were supported and the customer with the recurring task problem received a free upgrade.

- The Personal Edition is for those who do not need a Gantt Chart - many don't and TaskMerlin was originally released as an easy-to-use GTD tool without even a calendar. See the tour at http://www.taskmerlin.com...start.aspx to get a sense of the features available.

- For recent features and fixes in the current version, see http://www.taskmerlin.com...selog.aspx. The product is fairly mature now for desktop/laptop use. The main thing missing is companion iPhone/iPad/Android apps.

- Apart from a few customization options, the trial is fully functional and includes the Gantt Chart and collaboration features. For details, see http://www.taskmerlin.com/compare.aspx. I encourage you to try it out to see for yourself and would be happy to address any comments you have about the product.

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 4 2016 at 5:19pm Copy Link

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geo User Just wondering how Task Merlin compares to classic project software?

Aug 5 2016 at 1:54am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald geo User - classic project software tools tend to be time-based, i.e., they primarily make use of due dates and Gantt Charts. I would characterize TaskMerlin as action-based. It primarily makes use of tasks, priorities and lists. As such, it works well with action-based methodologies like GTD (see http://www.taskmerlin.com/gtd.aspx) and Agile.

TaskMerlin (Professional Edition) includes the capability of specifying schedules on a Gantt Chart when needed. But it doesn't enforce this way of doing things - it's the user's choice.

The intention is that TaskMerlin should be a bit more like using a simple spreadsheet to track projects, with the extra features available when you need them, rather than like a Microsoft Project that entails a certain level of complexity and time commitment.

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 5 2016 at 4:30am Copy Link

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Victoria User When do you expect to release an updated v. 6.0 and how much will it cost us to update? Any new features that are expected?

Aug 5 2016 at 5:52am Copy Link

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Jaroslaw Can someone compare TaskMerlin and Swift To Do List? I am sure both apps are good and have their pros and cons. I think that TaskMerlin has Gannt Charts while STDL has sync support. But I'm sure there are many other differences.

Aug 5 2016 at 6:09am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Victoria, I don't have a timeline (i.e., it's not imminent) but it would be a 50% discount for existing customers. The main feature would be integration with new iPhone/iPad/Android apps.

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 5 2016 at 6:41am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Victoria, I don't have a timeline (i.e., it's not imminent) but it would be a 50% discount for current customers. The main feature would be integration with companion iPhone/iPad/Android apps.

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 5 2016 at 6:45am Copy Link

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Bruno User Hello Andrew,

First, I beg your pardon, you're right about the trial. I had downloaded your comparison table before, and somehow got the columns, in my mind only, mixed up, so it's simply not true that you don't let prospects trial "the whole thing" - sorry!

Then, I fully understand your development efforts go to "mobile" connection, I'll cite a message from David Allen ("Getting Things Done") on https://www.gtdoa.com/mis...letter.php :

"When we started, the world was using desktop programs (...) was specifically for a desktop Add-In for Microsoft Outlook. The world has moved to mobile applications (...) It's time now for us to move on as well and retire the GTD Outlook Add-In. With the move to mobile, the demand for our desktop application doesn't justify the resources necessary for us to develop or support (...)"

( Now comes the appalling part of the message: "and all support will cease on September 30 [2015]. We will keep the automated site that allows current users to get license keys for moving to new machines open for one year until August 31, 2016" - which means people currently using their adding will - if I understand the rather unequivocal wording of their message well - soon not be able to use their software anymore, after any major hardware change. So much for hardware imprints... )

In light of these facts of life, I fully understand that development nowadays goes into the avoidance of going into such a situation where then everybody loses.

On the other hand, the discussion above is an exceptional rich one in terms of user / prospects contributions, and it's WITH all (or many of) those goodies that TM would be of mucher higher interest not only to me - who did not participate in that discussion -, but as seen there, for lots of people; I appreciate your link to the Release Log, but then have been a little bit diappointed: Obviously, and nothing to say against it, you're withholding the real "goodies" for version 6.

In April, 2015, you said you expected "6" for the end of the year (2015); in January, 2016, you said something in the line of, "6" "is nowhere (that) near": Fact is, (admittedly speaking of Prof. version here) 60 (here) plus 75 (update) plus VAT is around 170 bucks; considering I don't know what of the above wishes will be realized ("I've noted it as a feature request." being not a promise of course but thus not a reason for thrill of anticipation neither), I'm not "immediately hot" about TM, but I stay very intrigued.

On cnet, wiseguy said there, back in 2010: "The missing critical feature is the ability to make one task dependent on the finish of another. - Why is this feature important? It's not important for simple projects like moving from Cleveland to Chicago. But if you're remodeling your Kitchen, for example, the tasks are predominantly serial in nature. The Framer can't start until the lumber arrives. If the lubmer delivery is late and the framer goes fishing for a few extra days, the the stat date for the electrician has to move out as well as the plumber, insulation contractor, sheetrock guy and painter. With Task Merlin, you have to manually adjust the start dates for each task when Frank the framer finishes late. A disaster for any complicated project."

So I'm safe to suppose TM works as expected now in this respect (i.e. not as in 2010)?

Let me close with a citation from above, since many prospects will probably not read the earlier discussions, in spite of their instructiveness:

MK: "The great thing I liked about TaskMerlin is the Filtering which can be built SQL-like. STDL searching is pants."

;-)

Aug 5 2016 at 4:52pm Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Bruno,

Yes, as Allen says, it's a mobile world now. I would like to see TaskMerlin providing a seamless (and native) experience across devices. But there is also plenty of scope for the current desktop version to continue to improve as well, as the feature suggestions show.

In that vein, I'm open to hearing suggestions from anyone regarding where they would like to see TaskMerlin head in the future. Perhaps also about what products and ideas work particularly well given current technology and trends.

(Per your other comment, yes, adjusting a task's date will adjust its dependent tasks accordingly.)

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 5 2016 at 10:52pm Copy Link

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BitsDuJUser I would be interested in the offer but require a clarification from the company, if they read this message.

After I bought Ultrarecall, which was also a sale here, I found out that it does not recognize documents in folders mapped to a logical drive automatically.

This means, one has to go through a torturous process of making links manually. If one made a mistake here and did not remember it to import links, then it does not appear.

Managing a project, there are responsibilities and I cannot afford such an error on myside, in which I forget to import links for some reasons.

On the contrary, there are couple of softwares, from which I use one now, which works like windows explorer and shall dynamically recognize files inside a folder automatically, just like in windows explorer.

From the docs, FAQs, Tour, Videos, I have not been able to understand even once if this is possible.

I do not want to import files into a propreitary format. They get changed and updated. Thus, I need a DMS but at the same time with Project Management capabilities, and which is not expensive for the non-profit.

Could you please enlighten me in this regard, if this is currently possible? If not, is something like this planned and could be upgraded in the near future?

Thanks in advance.

Aug 6 2016 at 3:48am Copy Link

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BitsDuJUser I think it would be better, if I clarify my message above.

I want to configure home directories for projects or cases or clients. Thereafter, I want to have them immediately recognized in the software to work with it and configure dates, deadlines, etc.

As the document is not configured in Merlin, it could simply import automatically its name for further processing.

Also, I do not need any SQL version. I have about 25.000 documents to work with on a daily basis. Nor do I need any Gnatt charting or network version.

Is this possible?

Aug 6 2016 at 3:52am Copy Link

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Andrew Macdonald Mr. Wonder, TaskMerlin doesn't automatically recognize external files, they would need to be individually linked to. I've noted it as a feature suggestion.

Interfathom, LLC - Aug 6 2016 at 6:18am Copy Link

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