Over the last week I’ve been developing a desktop application to manage WorkTimer projects and tasks.

It’s been built using the Adobe Air platform which keeps it very light-weight, secure and will work on most computers. The first release contains only the core features from the website but over time more will be added.

The most up-to-date version of the application can be found here: http://worktimer.co.uk/desktop/

Features

Projects

The projects section of the application works in exactly the same way as the main website. They are displayed in a list and clicking on one takes you to all of its projects.

Project List

Add Project Form

Tasks

Most of the website’s tasks management options have been included within the desktop version and they work in exactly the same was as the do on the site.

Task List

Add Task Form

Task Options

Clicking on a task expands a set of extra options that can be used to archive and delete tasks. More task options will be added in the future.

Timing

Task timing work in the same punch in/punch out style that the main site uses. Multiple tasks can be tracked at the same time and are highlighted in the task list.

Single Active Timer

Multiple Active Timers

Automatic Updates

Once the application’s installed any updates can be automatically downloaded and installed when they become available. This ensures you’ll always be running the newest release.

Task timing can be one of the most important aspects of making sure a project stays on track and is completed within a deadline and within budget. Most of the core WorkTimer functionality is focused around a very simple yet powerful task timing system.

Task Timer Controls

Once a task is added to a project the control buttons can be used to start and stop the timers. The timers record in real time and can be started, paused and stopped however often is needed.

Task timer controls

Identifying Active Timers

Once a task timer is started the task’s background colour is changed to a light blue and the ‘Start Timer’ icon changes to a recording icon. This allows tasks that are being timed to be instantly distinguishable in the task list. (Useful when running multiple task timers)

The active tasks in this example are highlighted with a red circle

Automatic Time Saving

When a task timer is recording you can choose to have it automatically save the time at set intervals to ensure no time is lost if your computer or web browser freezes. By default the timers are automatically save every 30 seconds but this frequency can be changes from the manage account page.

Update frequency can be changed from the account page

Setting the save frequency to 0 will disable this feature and timers will only be saved once they’re stopped.

Two new graph options have been added to the reports section.

These graphs are aimed towards people who need to see if they’re meeting their productivity targets.

Weekly Hours Breakdown

Yearly Hour Trends