Create view to maintain templates
I would like to have a view that I can use to see templates that I have created. I would also be able to edit create/edit/delete templates from that view.
Release 1.2.24 allows for adding, editing and deleting templates in the templates dialog (File→Edit templates
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T.J. Mueller commented
Ok, I'll dive into this. I see no reason why the template view can't look just like a regular task view, except for two things: 1) any edits modify the template structure and not the real task, and 2) dates/times are all specified *relative* to a "to-be-defined" due date. Let me give a concrete example. I travel a lot and my preparations for a trip consist of a lot of nit-picky details that I can't afford to overlook, and that follow pretty much the same sequence every time. So I'm given a departure date. I call up my trip prep template and make an instance of it, with my departure date as the assigned due date. at "due" -2 days, I have to arrange for a rental car. By "due" -5 days, I need to have my plane reservation nailed down. On "due" -1 I have to pack. By between "due" -5 and "due" -1 I have to prepare my agenda for the trip. You get the idea. For most trips, I just instance the template with a departure date and a title, and that's all. No extra editing necessary. The only function of template editor is the original creation of the template, and when I find that the airplanes are running fuller, and I need to change my reservation deadline from "due" -5 to "due" -8. I think you get the idea. What do the rest of you think?
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B.J. Herbison commented
I would like a view I can see templates and create tasks from the template with a click, I agree with T.J, that it is easier to just create tasks *now*, but with some additions it would save save effort.
For example, if templates had categories (http://taskcoach.uservoice.com/forums/26465-desktop-version-windows-linux-mac-of-task-coach/suggestions/333024-categories-in-templates) and pre-defined recurrences/schedules then several clicks could be saved in the creation of a task.
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T.J. Mueller commented
I have to agree that this is not especially useful. It's easier just to make a new task. To me the value of templates is as @Jerome says, except that a template should be able to include an entire hierarchy of subtasks with date relationships and prerequisites.
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
Well, the very idea of templates is that you create them once and reuse them many times. Allowing to edit them (in theory a very seldom task) in a viewer doesn't make sense. To create a new task from an existing template you can use the toolbar or the New menu, in 2 clicks.
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B.J. Herbison commented
The current implementation isn't what I expected from the idea description. The templates are in a pop-up window, not part of the main UI like a task or category view, and the window goes away when Task Coach is exited and restarted.
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
Right now you can only delete and reorder templates. I'm fixing the template creation issue.
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IlyaS commented
Upgraded to 1.2.2 (Ubuntu 10.04 LTS). Edit templates dialog present and have only "Delete" and change order buttons. Save selected task as template doesn't work.
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
You're right, saving as template doesn't work, I'll fix it ASAP, but the edit templates dialog works fine for me. I'll try on Windows.
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maastrix commented
Upgraded to 1.2.2 but I can't save templates. "save selected task as template" doesn't work. I also can't select the default templates in 'edit templates'.
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
It's not a viewer but a dialog; see File/Edit templates.
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B.J. Herbison commented
Thank you for starting to add this feature.
Where can I find the view in 1.2.2? I looked under View/New viewer and Templates isn't present.
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B.J. Herbison commented
It would also be useful to be able to create a new task from the view -- and I suspect that would be my most common use of the view.