In designing OO for the iPhone, there are some capabilities that are trivial on the desktop platform that will need some thought for the mobile platform:
* OO4 will need some type of library support. This need not be as sophisticated as the iTunes/iPhoto libraries, it can be as simple as a structured set of directories, but I'll need a way to indicate which outlines I want synced to the iPhone, and a way to organize them.
* OO4 will need a way either manage a parent/child relationship between two outlines, or an easy way to make copies of an outline.
Let me explain:
I use OO3 and similar checklist programs for three different purposes:
1. To keep a list of recurring to-do items. For example, a travel checklist, a camping checklist, or a weekly grocery shopping list.
2. To keep an inventory of storage boxes. (although a note pad application is also suitable.)
3. To take notes during meetings, especially of follow-up actions.
All of these uses have tremendous mobile application potential.
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Originally Posted by DerekM
1) Do you need multiple columns of data, column types, or the column summary options?
2) Do you need formatting support? Or just plain text like OmniFocus for the iPhone.
3) Do you need attachment support?
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1. No - although, for more sophisticated inventory taking this may be invaluable
2. No.
3. No.
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4) Should it be a viewer only, or have editing capabilities? If just a viewer only, how well does the Quick Look preview/DHTML export meet your needs? (Viewing the export on the iPhone that is)
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I really need to edit, at least I need to be able to move columns around, check off completed items, and insert/delete items as well. For to-do and inventory tracking, I'm only going to make changes to an existing outline. However, for brainstorming, I will be composing an outline directly on the iPhone.
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5) What kind of syncing expectations do you have? This would be one big reason why OmniOutliner 4 needs to be developed first as OO3 is not designed for merging synced changes.
If you have any other specific expectations for the app, please let us know too. Thanks for your feedback and support!
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I am already an OmniFocus fanatic. The syncing using MobileMe works great for me. Something similar would work great for OO as well.
However, the different uses mentioned above, really have different sync requirements. For note taking and inventory, I need the mobile file and the desktop file to sync with each other: In a formal meeting, I'm likely to have my MacBook Pro with me, but would like to be able to use the iPhone to take notes in ad-hock or informal meetings. Inventory, is especially well suited for mobile use. If I were to add or remove something from a storage container, it would be great to be able to record the changes directly on the iPhone. Along these same lines, it's important to be able to search through the notes so that I may find out which container something is stored in.
For checklists, the sync requirement is a little different for I would like to keep a master parent checklist that is generally applicable, and make ad-hock copies of the list for each time I need to use the checklist. This can be thought of as the electronic equivalent to a pre-printed pad of paper where the pad as a whole is general, but each sheet may be customized for a specific event.
For example, say I am packing for a trip. I want to be able to have the iPhone with me as I am going through my closet and putting things into my suitcase. In doing so, I may find an item that I need just for this trip, so I'd like to be able to add it to the this-trip-only packing list and leave the master list alone. At other times, I may think of something to add to both lists, and would like to be able to do so.
On the desktop, this is trivial. Before packing, I can simply copy the parent outline file and work in the copy. Then as changes need to be made I'd edit the appropriate copy. This action needs to be just as trivial on the iPhone.