I often meet with clients away from my home or office. Sometimes there is internet access, sometimes not. I would much rather enter TODOs straight into Todoist in those situations and avoid the overhead of transferring them from some other media or format.
It would be nice for the offline (desktop) version (possibly made in Flex/AIR) to have the possibility of linking computer/web files and folders to tasks. The rationale is that you would implement a sort of Tickler File where postponed documents to review will show up at the next planned date (see GTD for Tickler File goals).
This is one feature I instantly looked for when I first used Todoist . I was a bit disappointed when I found out that it's not yet implemented.
Many have already mentioned it but the 2 main benefits of Offline mode feature to me are:
1. Ability to use it even when we don't have the internet (Not everyone is online all the time)
2. For backup... which is very important
Reply to scdlsam:
Printing isn't exactly as dynamic as updating the list. I want to be able to add and rearrange my tasks when I'm on the train with my laptop. Google gears is a great way to do this.
I'm often without internet access (commuting, traveling, at friends' houses or other public places w/o internet), and these are often the best times to work on my to do list.
Also, I would feel more secure about trusting my data with todoist if I knew that I had a back-up copy in case there was a crash that prevented my access to it.
I often find myself having to double up my efforts by taking notes instead of putting the information directly into Todoist because I haven't got an internet connection. This feature would save me time.
I spend a lot of time on trains and don't have connection to the web, but need to do work and update todoist - double entering/cut and paste is not intuitive and a bind. I end up having to use outlook tasks to fill the gap (not good!). If I was always connected, there would be no need, but the real world just isn't like that - yet.
I like the ability to update offline so that I can update in a meeting and not have my usual- update notebook in meeting put action points in todoist - I'd rahter jsut update todost offline (or via the mobile view)
As soon as it will be possible to create new projects, set indent for items (and probably few other features) using the API it will be possible to full online-offline synchronization.
This guy is in the same boat as I am (with the Eee)... I know several people who carry subnotebooks who really want a good task manager, and I think todoist could be it.
There is a good rationale in Think Free about the need of an off line version. For those who live in the third world (or those who visits or works there) internet access maybe irregular and unstable in many places.
yep. I asked for offline support some time ago. Nice to see that i am not the only one, who wants that feature. Here comes a very irrational point. I almost plan everything with todoist now, because its such a neat application. I am afraid that the internet crashes and all my project ideas are gone for ever. But not with offline support. ;-)
The 'airplane argument' is just an improper name :) Something like 'no inet access' would be better - for instance, I commute to work by underground every day and even the coverage of GPRS in the tunnels is just sparse. And yet the 30 minute time in the train is my best chance to go through the tasks & projects and prepare for the day. And since my handwriting sucks, offline Todoist is the thing.
I've been using ToDoist as my main task list, but for me, a task-list really needs to be mobile. That means using it on the go (I use an iPhone) and/or offline on airplanes or where I have limited/no Internet access.
I travel around with my laptop alot, I can't access my todoist when on the train etc...would love to have offline syncing so I could do this.
Firefox 3 has offline abilities...not sure how it works but perhaps you could look into taking advantage of that? Or as other people have said try Gears?
Many thanks
as an iPhone user, i find myself recording offline to do items as 'Notes' but this is annoying as I have to manually re-enter the items in ToDoIst when I'm next online. Same goes when crossing off items in a non-connected shop / supermarket. ToDoIst is brilliant for shopping lists, but would be even better with offline capability and sync.
I have an offline version of Todoist almost ready (LTodoist), that I can make available. It's written in Java, so cross-platform. Only problem is that the API of Todoist does not have alle the functionality of Todoist, so not all of the functions work. I'll keep you posted.
I carry around a mini notebook PC on standby most of the day, and just flip-open the lid to take notes in a text editor on the run. I then cut & paste any tasks into Todoist when I get back on-line - but it would be great to have the interface right there, ready to use, without double-handling all the input.
I'd like it for all those times I don't have or am purposely avoiding internet access but would like to write down a task that comes to mind. This happens almost daily for me. (I often go to coffee shops w/out net access so that I can avoid distractions)
I'm not sure if it's something I'd use, but if you did it, it would be nice if it worked with Firefox 3 (which supports offline applications) as well as Google Gears. I'm not giving it a vote though, I don't think I'd have any need for this.
A technical question: is it possible to use Gears, but sync automatically, instead of clicking a "Go Offline" button or something? I always thought clicking and waiting for sync was too much a hassle, and I never remember to do it.
If Todoist could do it hands-free, then I think it would be a good feature.
oh, and it goes without saying that much of the time I need to access my todo list, I'm nowhere near net access. I use todoist to organize a lot of tasks that aren't done at a computer, and I can't imagine I'm alone in that... to me this feature more than any other would complete the service for me.
I use todoist to mentally offload tasks, and the brilliance of the application is how quick that can be. I carry an Eee PC, and I very frequently come up with tasks to add while around town and without net access. Even when I'm on campus, and have access to the net, it defeats the simplicity and ease of the application to spend 30 seconds connecting first.
Maybe it is just me, but I don't see much to be gained from going offline besides the airplane argument. And in those scenarios why not just utilize pen and paper and sync up later? In my opinion, time could be better spent in improving other functionality before going offline. I'm curious to hear the rationale of others to having offline support as a priority.
I'd vote for Google Gears as the backend as well. That way the offline feature would work not only in IE/FF but also on my N800 (and in Mobile IE) as both have Google Gears ported on them now.
renecum
Using google gears it can't be so difficult, please add it ASAP! :)
17 days ago
morganizeit
I often meet with clients away from my home or office. Sometimes there is internet access, sometimes not. I would much rather enter TODOs straight into Todoist in those situations and avoid the overhead of transferring them from some other media or format.
about 1 month ago
vic_peacock
It would be nice for the offline (desktop) version (possibly made in Flex/AIR) to have the possibility of linking computer/web files and folders to tasks. The rationale is that you would implement a sort of Tickler File where postponed documents to review will show up at the next planned date (see GTD for Tickler File goals).
3 months ago
littlewolf
This is one feature I instantly looked for when I first used Todoist . I was a bit disappointed when I found out that it's not yet implemented.
Many have already mentioned it but the 2 main benefits of Offline mode feature to me are:
1. Ability to use it even when we don't have the internet (Not everyone is online all the time)
2. For backup... which is very important
3 months ago
raelmiu
Reply to scdlsam:
Printing isn't exactly as dynamic as updating the list. I want to be able to add and rearrange my tasks when I'm on the train with my laptop. Google gears is a great way to do this.
3 months ago
scdlsam
Useless feature. Todoist already has an "offline" mode. It's called "Print".
3 months ago
phardy
I often take my laptop in conference room at work and would like to update my todosit...
3 months ago
metroboy
I'm often without internet access (commuting, traveling, at friends' houses or other public places w/o internet), and these are often the best times to work on my to do list.
Also, I would feel more secure about trusting my data with todoist if I knew that I had a back-up copy in case there was a crash that prevented my access to it.
4 months ago
ChadE
I often find myself having to double up my efforts by taking notes instead of putting the information directly into Todoist because I haven't got an internet connection. This feature would save me time.
4 months ago
jerryhalluk
I spend a lot of time on trains and don't have connection to the web, but need to do work and update todoist - double entering/cut and paste is not intuitive and a bind. I end up having to use outlook tasks to fill the gap (not good!). If I was always connected, there would be no need, but the real world just isn't like that - yet.
4 months ago
1queer1
I like the ability to update offline so that I can update in a meeting and not have my usual- update notebook in meeting put action points in todoist - I'd rahter jsut update todost offline (or via the mobile view)
5 months ago
chrismjohnson
@KosciaK: That's true, with some key additions to the API a lot of these suggestions on UserVoice could be handled by third party developers.
5 months ago
KosciaK
As soon as it will be possible to create new projects, set indent for items (and probably few other features) using the API it will be possible to full online-offline synchronization.
5 months ago
han_u_man
i'm with otomo, its just scary when the internet stops (sync'd list, with thunderbird tasks for preference)
5 months ago
gwpl
I think idea of Google Gears, and separate cross platform (e.x. in Python) application are both good.
5 months ago
phrontist
This guy is in the same boat as I am (with the Eee)... I know several people who carry subnotebooks who really want a good task manager, and I think todoist could be it.
http://ask.metafilter.com/93098/Is-there-a-simple-kinda-task-manager-for-Linux#comment
6 months ago
silvialves
There is a good rationale in Think Free about the need of an off line version. For those who live in the third world (or those who visits or works there) internet access maybe irregular and unstable in many places.
6 months ago
otomo
yep. I asked for offline support some time ago. Nice to see that i am not the only one, who wants that feature. Here comes a very irrational point. I almost plan everything with todoist now, because its such a neat application. I am afraid that the internet crashes and all my project ideas are gone for ever. But not with offline support. ;-)
6 months ago
tomas.rollo
The 'airplane argument' is just an improper name :) Something like 'no inet access' would be better - for instance, I commute to work by underground every day and even the coverage of GPRS in the tunnels is just sparse. And yet the 30 minute time in the train is my best chance to go through the tasks & projects and prepare for the day. And since my handwriting sucks, offline Todoist is the thing.
6 months ago
tf2
I've been using ToDoist as my main task list, but for me, a task-list really needs to be mobile. That means using it on the go (I use an iPhone) and/or offline on airplanes or where I have limited/no Internet access.
6 months ago
GeckoPie
I travel around with my laptop alot, I can't access my todoist when on the train etc...would love to have offline syncing so I could do this.
Firefox 3 has offline abilities...not sure how it works but perhaps you could look into taking advantage of that? Or as other people have said try Gears?
Many thanks
6 months ago
philipmarkevans
as an iPhone user, i find myself recording offline to do items as 'Notes' but this is annoying as I have to manually re-enter the items in ToDoIst when I'm next online. Same goes when crossing off items in a non-connected shop / supermarket. ToDoIst is brilliant for shopping lists, but would be even better with offline capability and sync.
6 months ago
Heind
I have an offline version of Todoist almost ready (LTodoist), that I can make available. It's written in Java, so cross-platform. Only problem is that the API of Todoist does not have alle the functionality of Todoist, so not all of the functions work. I'll keep you posted.
6 months ago
Meraxupypr
no need
6 months ago
renderhead
I carry around a mini notebook PC on standby most of the day, and just flip-open the lid to take notes in a text editor on the run. I then cut & paste any tasks into Todoist when I get back on-line - but it would be great to have the interface right there, ready to use, without double-handling all the input.
6 months ago
golgo32
I'd like it for all those times I don't have or am purposely avoiding internet access but would like to write down a task that comes to mind. This happens almost daily for me. (I often go to coffee shops w/out net access so that I can avoid distractions)
6 months ago
mark
I'm not sure if it's something I'd use, but if you did it, it would be nice if it worked with Firefox 3 (which supports offline applications) as well as Google Gears. I'm not giving it a vote though, I don't think I'd have any need for this.
6 months ago
Quill
This functionality already exists for the Mac's Dashboard, but I can see how one would want it for other computers as well.
6 months ago
DivinoAG
A technical question: is it possible to use Gears, but sync automatically, instead of clicking a "Go Offline" button or something? I always thought clicking and waiting for sync was too much a hassle, and I never remember to do it.
If Todoist could do it hands-free, then I think it would be a good feature.
6 months ago
Sabutay
Well i would lik to work offline too. It's a have to feature. Not everbody has a continous internet broadboand connection everytime.
6 months ago
phrontist
oh, and it goes without saying that much of the time I need to access my todo list, I'm nowhere near net access. I use todoist to organize a lot of tasks that aren't done at a computer, and I can't imagine I'm alone in that... to me this feature more than any other would complete the service for me.
6 months ago
phrontist
I use todoist to mentally offload tasks, and the brilliance of the application is how quick that can be. I carry an Eee PC, and I very frequently come up with tasks to add while around town and without net access. Even when I'm on campus, and have access to the net, it defeats the simplicity and ease of the application to spend 30 seconds connecting first.
6 months ago
amix
I would also love to hear some rationale behind this request.
6 months ago
chrismjohnson
Maybe it is just me, but I don't see much to be gained from going offline besides the airplane argument. And in those scenarios why not just utilize pen and paper and sync up later? In my opinion, time could be better spent in improving other functionality before going offline. I'm curious to hear the rationale of others to having offline support as a priority.
6 months ago
tomas.rollo
I'd vote for Google Gears as the backend as well. That way the offline feature would work not only in IE/FF but also on my N800 (and in Mobile IE) as both have Google Gears ported on them now.
6 months ago
golgo32
integration with google gears would be very cool.
6 months ago