InfoQube IM - Community

Submitted by Jon on 2012/10/22 09:16

I have been back and forth on the calendar feature for IQ. There are many things to complete in the rest of the program, and several others have complained about recurring problems with loosing grid setups. Noteliner recently added a styles feature. I know that IQ is destined to include this, but when?

I have warmed to the idea of a calendar, but not at the expense of what I consider to be the core of the program. I accept others may disagree, and concede that the majority may be right. I like having the option, so it is my choice whether to use the calendar.

Here is my concern. Pierre, you are going to include syching capability with Google. That is great, but what happens when (not if) Google changes something? I would like to have this information syched to Google so I can access it easily while traveling, but I can see where this can fail. If I remember, EssentialPIM had some issues with Google synch with some users losing their entire calendar. There is a parallel example with ResophNotes which just issued a fix for a change to the SimpleNote server. There is one report of a user losing information because of this. Fortunately for the user, the information was also backed up in Dropbox, but this redundancy should not be necessary. For reference, see http://www.outlinersoftware.com/topics/viewt/4413/0/new-version-of-resophnotes-out

For critical data, the cloud can be a little scary.

Jon

Comments

Personally I would much prefer to simply have the sync functionality built into a IQ focused server backend - skip calendar specific syncing all together and just go to a database setup specifically to sync all of an IQ database. Possibly just provide an API so other developers could implement support for syncing stuff other than the official IQ backend.

I'm not really sure why Google Calendar sync is so important to anyone really - if it's simply because people want to have invited events from others showing up in their IQ calendar I believe there may be a much more simple way to support that (such as detecting .ical files in a email inbox). Perhaps it's people moving their "legacy" calendars into IQ, which I understand but personally wouldn't really want to do...

I love having the calendar in IQ, but I see it as really more of an alternative grid view than anything. I'd prefer if the backend and syncing capability to support this view was the same across all grids, not just the Calendar.

What I'm really worried about happening is something I've seen in other PIM programs - you have to setup 5 different syncing backends to get everything to sync. That seems like it's the opposite of the IQ Way, which to me is that all items are treated the same and are seen as equals.

The main reason for Calendar, Contacts and Task sync is to provide a 2-way link with your mobile device. Google API was chosen because it is the most common. Others will follow of course.

Integration with smart phones et al, is the key to IQ's success. The plan is:

Short term:

Calendar sync with native mobile calendar
Contacts sync with native mobile contacts
Task sync with mobile tasks (iOS does not currently have native tasks, but cheap apps do provide this)

Medium term:

Grid + HTML sync with mobile Evernote app (through the Evernote server). Users would select what to sync

Long term:

IQ specific server and mobile app

HTH !

Pierre

p.s. This is the plan, but comments are welcomed of course...

I guess the objective of syncing with Google just seems a little weird to me since I am using IQ for stuff that wouldn't be possible to sync into their services (or at least isn't possible to manage though the UI they provide, it might let you store it in the API for all I know) - all these custom fields that IQ is great at handling, hybrid Sources to show multiple types of things in a view, that sort of more complex stuff.

IQ is so much more than just another lame PIM program that is only useful if it syncs to a phone. Google would be unable to display 90% of what I'm putting into IQ, so for me that sync is not useful and only delays implementation of the sync that I really want - a IQ specific backend server.

I'd really love it if there was a more open approach to sync backends - where you focus on the IQ specific server backend, and allow other developers to implement backend drivers that would run in the same framework, which will move the data into whatever other services people desire. That's the approach I would personally prefer but I totally understand where you're coming from too.

Hi Jon.

I was going to say that I couldn't disagree w you more short term but Pierre's answer has the meat of my reply. The goal -- for me, at least -- is to see IQ become a well-used tool, licensed by many to preserve & encourage more development. The Google calendar/contacts/task is omnipresent, like microsoft so it can reach many. I don't like Evernote but I understand that Pierre has picked it by the same reasoning.

Ultimately -- not too far in the future -- the user will be able to enter an item into IQ, categorize it as a task, IQ item, etc, automatically sync the 3 biggies to google & thus to mobile. Everything is everywhere. That will be a dream come true for many, I think.

One thing I've done instead of a back end server is to save/load directly to drop box. Maybe that would work for you.

I think you are a more sophisticated user than I am so you probably know all this so now I'll go back to sleep.

Thanks Jan. My intent is not to detract from development in this area. After all, as a business model it makes sense. My concern is the ever changing (and at times capricious) standards and players. Remember when Evernote made significant changes to version 2 (I think)? Sophisticated users were howling about the reduced functionality. Google pulls the plug on services (albeit with sufficient notice), but also changes the standards which allows other programs to exchange information with it. SimpleNotes apparently just did it too. Amazon's servers in Virginia had a problem (the second one in a relatively short time).

The point that I raise is that all this integration means that keeping up may become Pierre's full time job. Over the years, Pierre has had to veer away because of family, other paid consulting projects, cycling, vacation, etc. I have a life too and I applaud the richness of his. But if Pierre has to attend to tweaks to keep IQ's connectivity functioning, what about IQ development? And if Pierre can no longer attend to IQ maintenance, the program becomes significantly compromised. This is one of the reasons I try to avoid online program activation or subscriptions. When the company withdraws, the users are left in the lurch.

I am not questioning Pierre's commitment at all. In fact he goes above what should be expected to assist his user base. Things happen though and I want to guard against that possibility. With great planning and trepidation, I have virtually completed my migration away from Ecco Pro. IQ has become as critical for my work as Ecco once was. I just don't want to get stuck.

Jan, I know this will trigger a visceral response but I know you understand my argument. It is spelled ADM.

Jon

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Thanks Jon for the kind words. I do my best to progress as fast as possible on IQ, given my various constraints.

re Ecco >> IQ: Wow, This is great news Jon, and definitely a sign of the confidence you put in me. Thanks !!

Regarding the specific issues of synching with third-party services (Google, Evernote for now), these have been contracted out. The plan is to do the same for maintenance. So my only effort is limited to integrating the work inside IQ. All in all, a much smaller effort and one that should not be impacted, if / when these services make breaking changes.

HTH !

Pierre

You are welcome Pierre.

Kind words? Perhaps, but they are true. Moving from Ecco (I sorely miss its outline styles) was difficult, but worthwhile. Even the added functionality provided through EccoExtension cannot overcome some of the program's inherent limitations.

I did not know that the synching was contracted. This information helps considerably and is as reassuring as it can be. Thanks.

Jon

OMG, ADM -- what a cluster f**k that turned out to be !! I totally understand where you're coming from, Jon. Believe me. For years I've been fighting to find, help, support a program that would replicate/ improve my Lotus Agenda & then EccoPro experience & it has been a disappointment time & again. My last effort was w Ultra-Recall & it was only after months of frustration, dble work, etc. that I took my heart in my hand & imported, Ecco, some ADM, Zoot, most Ultra Recall into IQ and have not looked back. This is primarily b/c of Pierre. And, of course, the fact that IQ functions in ways that complement my personality & work habits. Here's to IQ's success !!

>This is primarily b/c of Pierre. And, of course, the fact that IQ functions in ways that complement my personality & work habits. Here's to IQ's success !!

Big thanks to you Jan, for your trust in me and in IQ.