Automatically pause task effort when computer not in use
Maybe the other TaskCoach users are disguised robots that always remember to stop their effort tracking. Unfortunately I'm not one of those:-(
This feature would make TC display a dialog after the computer is inactive for 10 minutes. The dialog would say something like "Your computer is inactive for 10min, would you like to stop tracking the effort?". Three options would be presented:
1) Stop using the time when the computer became inactive.
2) Stop using the current time.
3) Continue tracking
These options cover the case of forgetting to stop the task, of recording the time of a meeting, and of time in off-like tasks.
It is a common feature of time tracking programs. Some of them offer a slider to set the stop time. We can think of a better user interface.
Thanks for the nice software.
The current version of Task Coach includes this feature precisely. The amount of time for inactivity can be set in the preferences. Cheers!
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proasm commented
A simple but effective solution could be, that TaskCoach remembers the time when getting inactive and displays a notification about it.
Screenplay:
I come back and find out that the old task was not stopped
-> I stops it manually in Effort View by clicking on a new button "Stop when became inactive".
-> If required, I start a new effort for the inactive time and set the start time with the existing button "Start at last stop time" (or how it is called; I use it in German).This means a new button is also required in the dialog box for changing stop and start time.
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proasm commented
Good idea, but there are situations when I would prefer to be asked _after_ the computer switches back to active state. E.g. it is normal that one needs to attend a team meeting without his computer...
For both purposes could do:
(1) TaskCoach would remember the time when the PC changed to inactive state.
(2) A window would be opened to ask what to do.
If there is no answer:
(3) On getting active again, TaskCoach would ask
(3.1) if the task should be stopped at the time of getting inactive (or X minutes earlier)
(3.2) and/or if another task should be started from the time of getting inactive
(3.3) and if this new task should then be stopped right now.E.g. I need to rush to the team meeting, but forget to start another task just for that
-> (2) TaskCoach learns I'm not there anymore and asks what to do
(I would give no answer)
(3) I come back later and TaskCoach asks what to do with the old task (3.1) (stop it of course), should another task be started for the inactive time (3.2) (yeah, team meeting, please) and should that be stopped for now (3.3) (yes please).But that would be quite complicated, I admit...