Author Topic: NANY 2010 Idea: A 'polite' reminder/diary system (Read 102273 times)

skwire · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:57 PM »

Website | Download v1.0.1 - 2009-11-06 + Made popup window always-on-top. (Thanks, tomos) + Made application single-instance. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added option for wave file play on popup. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added option to flash the taskbar on popup. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added Enter/Ctrl-Enter options to popup. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added hotkey to bring up options dialog. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added hotkey to bring up the popup immediately. (Thanks, tomos) + Added hotkey to close the popup at any time. (Thanks, tomos) + Added option to not show options on startup. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added "Show popup" to the tray menu and made it the default double-click action. (Thanks, doctorfrog) * Popup window now remembers its last position. (Thanks, doctorfrog) ! Blank entries are no longer saved.

No changes were made regarding timestamping and file handling. I wanted to get the main options out of the way first before concentrating on that aspect of the program. I'll work on it more later; need some sleep right now.

mouser · « **Reply #26 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:04 PM »

ill put a vote in for no viewer and plain text files; lots of good search tools out there if we need to search.

doctorfrog · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:47 PM »

It's looking real good so far, more or less feature complete. The icon goes better with it than I thought it w- ALL HAIL HYPNOFROG.

skwire · « **Reply #28 on:** November 07, 2009, 02:10 PM »

Since we've decided on the .anu extension, here is how I would like to handle the writing and archiving of logs. If you agree to this, then adding custom timestamp formats for the log files would be a snap to implement. Also, the custom log folder will be easy to implement as well.

1) The current log will be written to the app's folder as "current.anu". Basically, no timestamp on the filename at this point.
2) When the archiving routine fires, the "current.anu" will be moved into the archive folder using whatever timestamp format the user has set.
3) Collisions will get the "[1]" addition or however you would like that handled.

If the log filename timestamp format includes the time, collisions should rarely happen. Also, I think I'm going to add a button to the Archive tab that will allow the user to initiate the archive routine immediately. Your thoughts?

doctorfrog · « **Reply #29 on:** November 07, 2009, 06:20 PM »

I was actually going to suggest this exact method of archiving. Glad you anticipated it. Needless to say, I approve.

1. File collisions could be avoided if the filename included the time as well as date. However, I find [1], [2] to be personally acceptable.

2. Right-click option to Archive current log = good thing.

3. An advantage to using current.anu is that when the viewer is invoked, it can easily be programmed to display the most current logfile. Obviously, it should not lock this file when it is being viewed.

4. I see the viewer as a separate .exe from Anuran. From the limited comments in this thread, there are some who want one, some who don't, so a separate viewer would please both crowds.

If you don't mind another of my drawings, here's another mockup of a simpler two-pane viewer layout. (Stick with whatever you feel works best, however):

[attachimg=#1][/attachimg]

Notes:
0. Proposed viewer names: Anuview, Anuvu, Anuran Viewer
1. The panes and window itself would be resizable, of course.
2. The items in the logfile pane would be organized according to file datestamp, or according to the first datestamp contained within the file itself, in case the file properties get messed up by Windows.
3. On startup, Anuview defaults to current.anu. Logfile pane defaults to \archive, but the current.anu is always displayed on top.
4. If Anuview is started by double-clicking on a .anu file, it displays the file, regardless of where it is, plus any other .anu files that are in the same directory as the .anu file it is displaying. This is for folks who end up moving their logfiles around.
5. Do we want a full-on file tree in the logfile pane, or just a 'flat' list of logfiles in \archive?
6. Ignore the titlebar and status bar ornamentation, they come from bblean's skinning engine.
7. And yes, I basically took a screenshot of MiniAim, and cut and pasted around.

Blue-sky possibilities:

1. If you apply a 'tail' function to the viewer, it could even auto-update the contents, which provides a fingertip-ready view of the last x hours of entries. I worry a little about people who want to tail their own personal log, but it does provide a quick answer to the question "Now, just what the hell have I been doing the last hour?"

2. An automatic vertical timescale that visually measured the time between each entry would still be a pretty neat Stupid Coding Trick.

skwire · « **Reply #30 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:03 PM »

Website | Download v1.0.2 - 2009-11-08 * Cosmetic changes to the Options Popup tab. + Added configurable timestamp for archived logs. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added configurable timestamp for popup titlebar. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added configurable timestamp for note entries. (Thanks, doctorfrog)

Edit: Removed older screenshots.

1. File collisions could be avoided if the filename included the time as well as date. However, I find [1], [2] to be personally acceptable.
2. Right-click option to Archive current log = good thing.
3. An advantage to using current.anu is that when the viewer is invoked, it can easily be programmed to display the most current logfile. Obviously, it should not lock this file when it is being viewed.
4. I see the viewer as a separate .exe from Anuran. From the limited comments in this thread, there are some who want one, some who don't, so a separate viewer would please both crowds.
-doctorfrog (November 07, 2009, 06:20 PM)

1) Correct...putting the time in there, especially with seconds, should avoid any collisions.
2) I will add this in the next build (along with customisable archive folder).
3) The viewer will never lock the file.
4) Hmmm...I'll give this idea some thought.

If you don't mind another of my drawings, here's another mockup of a simpler two-pane viewer layout. (Stick with whatever you feel works best, however):
Notes:
0. Proposed viewer names: Anuview, Anuvu, Anuran Viewer
1. The panes and window itself would be resizable, of course.
2. The items in the logfile pane would be organized according to file datestamp, or according to the first datestamp contained within the file itself, in case the file properties get messed up by Windows.
3. On startup, Anuview defaults to current.anu. Logfile pane defaults to \archive, but the current.anu is always displayed on top.
4. If Anuview is started by double-clicking on a .anu file, it displays the file, regardless of where it is, plus any other .anu files that are in the same directory as the .anu file it is displaying. This is for folks who end up moving their logfiles around.
5. Do we want a full-on file tree in the logfile pane, or just a 'flat' list of logfiles in \archive?
6. Ignore the titlebar and status bar ornamentation, they come from bblean's skinning engine.
7. And yes, I basically took a screenshot of MiniAim, and cut and pasted around.
-doctorfrog (November 07, 2009, 06:20 PM)

Zero-relative. Hehehe.
0) I like AnuVu best. =]
1) Agreed.
2) Well, pick one. I would prefer to go off of filename, personally.
3) Can do.
4) Sure.
5) Flat list. Trees in AHK are a pain in the arse.
6) Yep, I run bbLean as well.
7) No worries; this is extremely close to what I had in mind for a simple viewer.

Blue-sky possibilities:
1. If you apply a 'tail' function to the viewer, it could even auto-update the contents, which provides a fingertip-ready view of the last x hours of entries. I worry a little about people who want to tail their own personal log, but it does provide a quick answer to the question "Now, just what the hell have I been doing the last hour?"
2. An automatic vertical timescale that visually measured the time between each entry would still be a pretty neat Stupid Coding Trick.
-doctorfrog (November 07, 2009, 06:20 PM)

1) Should be doable.
2) Probably not going to happen. =]

doctorfrog · « **Reply #31 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:59 PM »

1. The download is for the 1.0.1 build. Screenshots are tantalizing, though.

2. I agree that having the viewer sort logfiles according to the timestamp in the filename is best, I was just concerned that if the user can change the filename timestamp to whatever he wants, AnuVu would get confused.

skwire · « **Reply #32 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:14 AM »

Gah...it helps if I actually upload the new build. Soz. It's there now.

skwire · « **Reply #33 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:06 PM »

Website | Download v1.0.3 - 2009-11-09 + Added a "Play" button to the Popup tab to allow preview of the chosen .wav file. + Added configurable log folder. (Thanks, doctorfrog) + Added "Archive now" button to the Options Archive tab.

NANY 2010 Idea: A 'polite' reminder/diary system

tomos · « **Reply #34 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:35 PM »

wowee

got a bit of catching up to do

doctorfrog · « **Reply #35 on:** November 09, 2009, 07:40 PM »

We're lookin' real good here. Using this build now.

skwire · « **Reply #36 on:** November 09, 2009, 07:44 PM »

Cool. I'll work on the viewer (vu-er?

) next.

skwire · « **Reply #37 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:12 AM »

To this point, does the functionality work as desired?

tomos · « **Reply #38 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:21 AM »

hi Skwire, I'm only starting to use it this morning,
so far I can say:

~ hotkeys are working well,
~ I just had a quick look at the log (I have it set to archive once a day), the 24 hour clock is looking good

One very minor thing - when I press Ctrl+Enter to go to new line, it jumps down two lines

tomos · « **Reply #39 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:30 AM »

Have people considered using this for basic time-tracking ?
e.g. if I always lead my note with say ARD for project #1 & SURV for #2 etc,
then if I was able to sort notes alphabetically (& by time) I could roughly see how long I was working on each project

The idea has been in the back of my mind - to be honest I havent really considered it practically beyond what I've written here - just throwing it out there as is

skwire · « **Reply #40 on:** November 10, 2009, 06:19 AM »

One very minor thing - when I press Ctrl+Enter to go to new line, it jumps down two lines
-tomos (November 10, 2009, 05:21 AM)

Hmmm...odd. It doesn't behave that way for me.

tomos · « **Reply #41 on:** November 10, 2009, 07:50 AM »

One very minor thing - when I press Ctrl+Enter to go to new line, it jumps down two lines
-tomos (November 10, 2009, 05:21 AM)

Hmmm...odd. It doesn't behave that way for me.
-skwire (November 10, 2009, 06:19 AM)

anyone else getting that behaviour ?

just for the record:
XP SP2 up-to-date
cant think of any thing else that could be relevant. (maybe the settings? see below)

Settings

[Settings]
G_Options_Startup=1
P_Interval=6
P_Type=Minute(s)
P_Text=Entry
P_Sound=
P_Flash=0 times
P_Enter=1
P_Timestamp=yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm
A_Interval=1
A_Type=Day(s)
A_Text=Log_
A_Timestamp=yyyy_MM_dd-HH-mm
A_Folder=F:\Portable\Anuran
N_Timestamp=yyyy-MM-dd @ HH:mm:ss
H_Popup=!A
H_Popup_Win=1
H_Options=
H_Options_Win=0
H_Popup_Close=A
H_Popup_Close_Win=1
P_X=39
P_Y=34
P_W=312
P_H=95

skwire · « **Reply #42 on:** November 10, 2009, 08:23 AM »

Try interim build 1.0.3.9 and see if that fixes it. I used a different method for the enter/ctrl-enter strokes in this version.

tomos · « **Reply #43 on:** November 10, 2009, 08:47 AM »

Try interim build 1.0.3.9 and see if that fixes it. I used a different method for the enter/ctrl-enter strokes in this version.
-skwire (November 10, 2009, 08:23 AM)

sorted

skwire · « **Reply #44 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:05 AM »

sorted
-tomos (November 10, 2009, 08:47 AM)

Great. Thanks for the report.

Website | Download v1.0.4 - 2009-11-10 ! Fixed a bug where using using ctrl-enter to start a newline in a note resulted in two newlines. (Thanks, tomos)

skwire · « **Reply #45 on:** November 10, 2009, 01:01 PM »

Teaser screenshot:

NANY 2010 Idea: A 'polite' reminder/diary system

doctorfrog · « **Reply #46 on:** November 11, 2009, 02:02 AM »

Everything is still working great here. Looking forward to AnuVu

Have people considered using this for basic time-tracking ?
e.g. if I always lead my note with say ARD for project #1 & SURV for #2 etc,
then if I was able to sort notes alphabetically (& by time) I could roughly see how long I was working on each project

The idea has been in the back of my mind - to be honest I havent really considered it practically beyond what I've written here - just throwing it out there as is
-tomos (November 10, 2009, 05:30 AM)

I've actually been having similar thoughts. This idea has always been a very simple time-tracker/personal blotter for me, but it would be interesting to see a script that could:

1. parse out the individual entries and separate them into categories based on the first word in each entry
2. Then, it could conceivably 'guess' the amount of time between tasks and types of tasks, by measuring the difference in time between the entries.
3. From there, the data can be measured on a time scale, or with graphs, and so forth.

This is all completely beyond the scope of my original request, of course. I'm very happy with what I have so far. For now, you might actually be able to do something like this with a spreadsheet and a fistful of Anuran logs.

skwire · « **Reply #47 on:** November 11, 2009, 05:27 AM »

Everything is still working great here. Looking forward to AnuVu
-doctorfrog (November 11, 2009, 02:02 AM)

Good to hear.

I've actually been having similar thoughts. This idea has always been a very simple time-tracker/personal blotter for me, but it would be interesting to see a script that could:
1. parse out the individual entries and separate them into categories based on the first word in each entry
2. Then, it could conceivably 'guess' the amount of time between tasks and types of tasks, by measuring the difference in time between the entries.
3. From there, the data can be measured on a time scale, or with graphs, and so forth.
-doctorfrog (November 11, 2009, 02:02 AM)

1) This would be easy.
2/3) This, currently, would not be easy. If Anuran was to go this route, I would have to take out the custom timestamps to the log files as well as the entries and replace them with a full, standard one. Otherwise, it's conceivable that a user could use a timestamp format that didn't contain all the necessary bits to do this calculation. Does that make sense?

tomos · « **Reply #48 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:40 AM »

will one be able to search all log files via the viewer ?
or would you recommend using another app?

Re: the timetracker idea -
one would really have to indicate when you're starting on a project & when ending - otherwise:
if all other entries are filtered out you wouldnt know at which times you began / ended

tomos · « **Reply #49 on:** November 11, 2009, 08:06 AM »

we might be reinventing the wheel with the time-tracker idea
I was just having another look at Skrommel's TaskLog - mind you after doing a search I see I had a problem with hibernation which I use relatively often (my computer has problems with standby)

TaskLog
You define your tasks - it logs amount of time spent on each (asks at user selected intervals)
Saves in a csv file, which it can also sort before opening (in Notepad)