4 ms·

Show HN again: My new spec list app, Speckle - now with a homepage.

13 points by elliottkember 17y ago

elliottkember 17y ago
Sorry for the re-post - last time I forgot to add a homepage and the response was justifiably poor!
DTrejo 17y ago
You might want to have the notifications appear above the bar at the top of the page, gmail style. That way you won't rejigger the content when the notification disappears. Also, I see you're using sass :)
- elliottkember 17y ago
  I certainly am! The notification idea is a good one - thanks :)
radu_floricica 17y ago
I think it's the first time I start using a productivity app instantly. It's simply beautiful! A couple of suggestions/bug reports: - the Manage users button is hard to find and nearly invisible - After 5 minutes of clicking around looking for the button the project completion percentage went from 18% (correct) to 0%. It seems to be 18% when the page is loading and then immediately goes to 0%
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Glad you like it! Thanks for the feedback too - I'm working on the project completion stuff at the moment, trying to do a bit of caching here and there. I'll up the opacity on the manage users and edit links - that should help a bit. I guess there needs to be an actions pane somewhere.
- bgnm2000 17y ago
  Same here, I also started using it instantly. Great job!! whats it written in if you don't mind me asking?
  - elliottkember 17y ago
    Rails :)
    - bgnm2000 17y ago
      Thought so! Love it :)
jcdreads 17y ago
May we have a "try it out without first signing up" space where one can create and play with a list that only lasts for the session or something?
- elliottkember 17y ago
  That's a really good idea - thanks! I'll see what I can do.
  - jasonlotito 17y ago
    You should put this idea into a todo list. Here's a good place: http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/ http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/ ... What!? =)
    - elliottkember 17y ago
      A comedian, eh?! Do you see multiple checkboxes on there?!
      - ableal 17y ago
        jasonlotito does have a point. Just today, this from the Aardvark guy hit the front page: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1136504 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1136504 The bit that struck me is in the third paragraph: So it seemed foolhardy to think that I might build a new destination site. Instead, my cofounders and I decided to build something that could be accessed from the places where people already spend their time online.
    - wmeredith 17y ago
      Wait... Google already knows about pretty much everything I do. If I follow your suggestion, they'll also know about the stuff I haven't done yet, but will do!
- sync 17y ago
  Yep, this. And this trial should be the homepage, with some kind of explanation, i.e. "Speckle lets you manage your to-dos with multiple check-boxes per item!"
deleted 17y ago
[deleted]
FreeRadical 17y ago
It doesn't work too well in IE7, particularly the drag functionality.
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Oops - I'll look into that for you. I'm sorry to say that IE testing hasn't been a priority up til now - but I'll work on it :)
OmarIsmail 17y ago
Great app! This actually fits a real need that I have. More functionality than Google Tasks, but not so intense/overburdened as Basecamp, or even Google spreadsheets. For my specific needs, what would make this app a real killer: * saving lists as templates, creating lists from templates. We often run through the same checklist while doing regression testing, or a site launch, so would be nice to have templates. There is the "import tasks" function, which is sufficient for now, but would be nice. * comment box per task, or maybe just one for a list. This doesn't have to be some complicated system, just literally one textbox per tasks that everyone can view/edit. * who's responsible for the task. Just literally being able to assign a task to an individual. I tried to make my suggestions not be too feature creep and not just features for the sake of it. The last two shouldn't be difficult at all... templating system is a lot more intense, and probably overkill at this time.
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Thanks for the reply - glad to hear it fits a need, it fit one for me and that's why I built it. Assigning users to tasks is a possible feature, as are comments - I'm thinking I might save some things for the paid version of the app. As for templated lists, that's a possiblity too. It wouldn't be too intense technically, but fitting it into the UI without straining things might be fiddly. I'll keep it in mind though!
tomlin 17y ago
It is pretty cool. The email has a broken link in it (They've added you to a project called "XXX"), but you're probably aware of that by now :) I like its simplicity. I would say you could benefit from a few borders surrounding specific tasks, but nothing major. Thanks for sharing.
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Fixed the email issue - thanks :) The design is still a bit work-in-progress (developer, trying my best) but it's safe to say it won't get any more complicated.
jasonlotito 17y ago
Initial thoughts: * Keyboard shortcuts. Just some ideas: - n for "New <ContextItem>" - t for "New task" - j/k navigation for list items - space bar for checking * Intelligent defaults - A page should do something. A new project page should set my cursor to the new project name - Anything not required shouldn't be on the "new page" by default. Email list, stages are probably useless. * Usability - Allowing someone to just start creating tasks without a project. - Checking off a task takes a long time. To check off the task completely, I have to click 4 times! The look of the other 4 areas are fine, but allowing someone to click a checkbox further in would be handy. - I can't edit a list item. Allow me to do that in place. - "All Lists" area doesn't show percentage done easily. Make it a visual graph with a percentage value. * Functionality None of this functionality should really impact the usability and sparseness of the design. Most of this can be hidden away, easily found, and not required. - Allow me to email a list to someone. Click button to email, allow me to enter an email address, and book, click send. That's it! - Allow me to create due-dates if I want for lists and items. - Allow for list reminders ("Hey, you forgot about me!") - Allow for list importance ranking. ("This is really important and needs to get done") I know it's a lot, but I actually like the app. Take my criticisms as a compliment. If I didn't think it was worth it, I wouldn't have wasted my time. =)
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Whoa, there's a bunch here - thanks! All excellent ideas, I'll get started ASAP. I'm thinking that some of the ideas that people have suggested will be implemented as paid-user features, though. The idea is that the free version is totally usable and useful, and the paid version has a few extra tools here and there. The usual model, I'm sure! Anyway, big thanks for the list - that's exactly the kind of feedback I was after.
  - jasonlotito 17y ago
    To give you further insight into how I would use the tool: I'd most likely pull up Chrome, and make the site an application. This means I'd want the UI to assume it was being used as an application, not a website. It would be a little window I'd switch back to. A little window, probably the size of a normal chat window or something like it. Keyboard shortcuts would make switching to the list easy as I could go from coding to using the tool without slowing down. Intelligent defaults should focus on my main task: Am I entering information in, or am I updating existing information. If I'm entering tasks, assume that's what I want to do, and let me keep doing it without slowing me down. Note: Filter your input! Try entering </div> as a task. =)
wmeredith 17y ago
This is FANTASTIC. So easy to use and gorgeous. Careful with that feature bloat, the killer feature here is the lack of a ton of crap I don't need. Is this a hobby or are their plans to monetize it?
jonespen 17y ago
Lovely usage of the font Rockwell, but you should specify some fall back fonts. CSS example: h1,h2 { Rockwell, "Courier New", Courier, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; }
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Oops! Great advice - I've added a stack. Thanks for the heads-up!
gkoberger 17y ago
Great todo list; I love the idea and simplicity. I'm sure you hate these, but small feature request. Is there any way you can add a "view everything" view? I know I'm horrible at checking each of the separate projects (not just on your todo list; all todo lists), and I'm yet to find a todo list that has an overview that shows everything.
dhardy 17y ago
I found it difficult to visualize the relationships between projects -> lists -> task. I think this could be easily fixed with some design polish. Perhaps move the overall look to more of an application feel by defining the left sidebar. I like the sparseness just need to firm up the frame some. Finally I want an API so I can make my own applications that plugin to this... for example a Thunderbird plug-in that converts an email to a task... or perhaps I could tweet a task update (this would give you quick and dirty mobile access) Either way nice work!
jqm0 17y ago
We're going to use this for a small project nearing launch - will drop comments here (or anywhere else that you might prefer!). A couple here from people on the team: Be good to be able to add comments to lists/list items, just in case there's a dispute or more information is required to complete the task. Be good to be able to ‘contract’ Lists, so you only see the title. Click on it to expand.

13 points by elliottkember 17y ago

Sorry for the re-post - last time I forgot to add a homepage and the response was justifiably poor!

You might want to have the notifications appear above the bar at the top of the page, gmail style. That way you won't rejigger the content when the notification disappears. Also, I see you're using sass :)

elliottkember 17y ago
I certainly am! The notification idea is a good one - thanks :)

radu_floricica 17y ago

I think it's the first time I start using a productivity app instantly. It's simply beautiful! A couple of suggestions/bug reports: - the Manage users button is hard to find and nearly invisible - After 5 minutes of clicking around looking for the button the project completion percentage went from 18% (correct) to 0%. It seems to be 18% when the page is loading and then immediately goes to 0%

elliottkember 17y ago
Glad you like it! Thanks for the feedback too - I'm working on the project completion stuff at the moment, trying to do a bit of caching here and there. I'll up the opacity on the manage users and edit links - that should help a bit. I guess there needs to be an actions pane somewhere.
bgnm2000 17y ago
Same here, I also started using it instantly. Great job!! whats it written in if you don't mind me asking?
- elliottkember 17y ago
  Rails :)
  - bgnm2000 17y ago
    Thought so! Love it :)

jcdreads 17y ago

May we have a "try it out without first signing up" space where one can create and play with a list that only lasts for the session or something?

elliottkember 17y ago
That's a really good idea - thanks! I'll see what I can do.
- jasonlotito 17y ago
  You should put this idea into a todo list. Here's a good place: http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/ http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/ ... What!? =)
  - elliottkember 17y ago
    A comedian, eh?! Do you see multiple checkboxes on there?!
    - ableal 17y ago
      jasonlotito does have a point. Just today, this from the Aardvark guy hit the front page: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1136504 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1136504 The bit that struck me is in the third paragraph: So it seemed foolhardy to think that I might build a new destination site. Instead, my cofounders and I decided to build something that could be accessed from the places where people already spend their time online.
  - wmeredith 17y ago
    Wait... Google already knows about pretty much everything I do. If I follow your suggestion, they'll also know about the stuff I haven't done yet, but will do!
sync 17y ago
Yep, this. And this trial should be the homepage, with some kind of explanation, i.e. "Speckle lets you manage your to-dos with multiple check-boxes per item!"

deleted 17y ago

[deleted]

FreeRadical 17y ago

It doesn't work too well in IE7, particularly the drag functionality.

elliottkember 17y ago
Oops - I'll look into that for you. I'm sorry to say that IE testing hasn't been a priority up til now - but I'll work on it :)

OmarIsmail 17y ago

Great app! This actually fits a real need that I have. More functionality than Google Tasks, but not so intense/overburdened as Basecamp, or even Google spreadsheets. For my specific needs, what would make this app a real killer: * saving lists as templates, creating lists from templates. We often run through the same checklist while doing regression testing, or a site launch, so would be nice to have templates. There is the "import tasks" function, which is sufficient for now, but would be nice. * comment box per task, or maybe just one for a list. This doesn't have to be some complicated system, just literally one textbox per tasks that everyone can view/edit. * who's responsible for the task. Just literally being able to assign a task to an individual. I tried to make my suggestions not be too feature creep and not just features for the sake of it. The last two shouldn't be difficult at all... templating system is a lot more intense, and probably overkill at this time.

elliottkember 17y ago
Thanks for the reply - glad to hear it fits a need, it fit one for me and that's why I built it. Assigning users to tasks is a possible feature, as are comments - I'm thinking I might save some things for the paid version of the app. As for templated lists, that's a possiblity too. It wouldn't be too intense technically, but fitting it into the UI without straining things might be fiddly. I'll keep it in mind though!

tomlin 17y ago

It is pretty cool. The email has a broken link in it (They've added you to a project called "XXX"), but you're probably aware of that by now :) I like its simplicity. I would say you could benefit from a few borders surrounding specific tasks, but nothing major. Thanks for sharing.

elliottkember 17y ago
Fixed the email issue - thanks :) The design is still a bit work-in-progress (developer, trying my best) but it's safe to say it won't get any more complicated.

jasonlotito 17y ago

Initial thoughts: * Keyboard shortcuts. Just some ideas: - n for "New <ContextItem>" - t for "New task" - j/k navigation for list items - space bar for checking * Intelligent defaults - A page should do something. A new project page should set my cursor to the new project name - Anything not required shouldn't be on the "new page" by default. Email list, stages are probably useless. * Usability - Allowing someone to just start creating tasks without a project. - Checking off a task takes a long time. To check off the task completely, I have to click 4 times! The look of the other 4 areas are fine, but allowing someone to click a checkbox further in would be handy. - I can't edit a list item. Allow me to do that in place. - "All Lists" area doesn't show percentage done easily. Make it a visual graph with a percentage value. * Functionality None of this functionality should really impact the usability and sparseness of the design. Most of this can be hidden away, easily found, and not required. - Allow me to email a list to someone. Click button to email, allow me to enter an email address, and book, click send. That's it! - Allow me to create due-dates if I want for lists and items. - Allow for list reminders ("Hey, you forgot about me!") - Allow for list importance ranking. ("This is really important and needs to get done") I know it's a lot, but I actually like the app. Take my criticisms as a compliment. If I didn't think it was worth it, I wouldn't have wasted my time. =)

elliottkember 17y ago
Whoa, there's a bunch here - thanks! All excellent ideas, I'll get started ASAP. I'm thinking that some of the ideas that people have suggested will be implemented as paid-user features, though. The idea is that the free version is totally usable and useful, and the paid version has a few extra tools here and there. The usual model, I'm sure! Anyway, big thanks for the list - that's exactly the kind of feedback I was after.
- jasonlotito 17y ago
  To give you further insight into how I would use the tool: I'd most likely pull up Chrome, and make the site an application. This means I'd want the UI to assume it was being used as an application, not a website. It would be a little window I'd switch back to. A little window, probably the size of a normal chat window or something like it. Keyboard shortcuts would make switching to the list easy as I could go from coding to using the tool without slowing down. Intelligent defaults should focus on my main task: Am I entering information in, or am I updating existing information. If I'm entering tasks, assume that's what I want to do, and let me keep doing it without slowing me down. Note: Filter your input! Try entering </div> as a task. =)

wmeredith 17y ago

This is FANTASTIC. So easy to use and gorgeous. Careful with that feature bloat, the killer feature here is the lack of a ton of crap I don't need. Is this a hobby or are their plans to monetize it?

jonespen 17y ago

Lovely usage of the font Rockwell, but you should specify some fall back fonts. CSS example: h1,h2 { Rockwell, "Courier New", Courier, Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; }

elliottkember 17y ago
Oops! Great advice - I've added a stack. Thanks for the heads-up!

gkoberger 17y ago

Great todo list; I love the idea and simplicity. I'm sure you hate these, but small feature request. Is there any way you can add a "view everything" view? I know I'm horrible at checking each of the separate projects (not just on your todo list; all todo lists), and I'm yet to find a todo list that has an overview that shows everything.

dhardy 17y ago

I found it difficult to visualize the relationships between projects -> lists -> task. I think this could be easily fixed with some design polish. Perhaps move the overall look to more of an application feel by defining the left sidebar. I like the sparseness just need to firm up the frame some. Finally I want an API so I can make my own applications that plugin to this... for example a Thunderbird plug-in that converts an email to a task... or perhaps I could tweet a task update (this would give you quick and dirty mobile access) Either way nice work!

jqm0 17y ago

We're going to use this for a small project nearing launch - will drop comments here (or anywhere else that you might prefer!). A couple here from people on the team: Be good to be able to add comments to lists/list items, just in case there's a dispute or more information is required to complete the task. Be good to be able to ‘contract’ Lists, so you only see the title. Click on it to expand.