Key abilities and some feature requests
Hello, I am considering buying OTJ, but I would like to know if any of the following are on your "to do" list. I've separated this list into things I should expect to be able to do and can't and things I wish I could do.
Missing key abilities (mostly in template editing):
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UNDO AND SAVE!!! I really like the ability to edit the templates, and I think you've done a great job with many of the aspects, but editing is not as Mac-intuitive as it could be. I cannot undo anything that I do, even though there is an undo and redo menu option (apparently for the main app functions). I also think it would be better to prompt users to save or not save their template as opposed to auto-saving as they edit. Let me "Save As..." I realize there is a duplicate button up at the top, but when browsing templates, I want to be able to edit and then save if I like it.
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At least the ability to restore original templates. After tweaking a template, I can't go back to exactly how it was!
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Cut / copy / paste for objects, such as text boxes and other smart fields.
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Ability to select multiple objects to move by holding shift.
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A column for the hourly rate charged for the listed task. Heading : "Rate / Hour"
Wish list:
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Different date formats!!! In the Start/End date columns, I want to have an abbreviated date (01/01/10), but at the top of my invoice, I want it to be full-length (January 1, 2010) I don't want the long form in the columns though.
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Import / export templates
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Option for client logo
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In client profile, distinguish address field as such. Right now it is just a box. I thought it was a description field so I didn't enter anything until I saw the field empty in the "Airmail" template.
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The task description should be named something that communicates that it needs to be entered. Maybe Task Name or just Task. Description implies extra information, not the title of the task. Obviously extra information goes in Note, but the Note column is by default far thinner than the Description column. I solved this problem for myself by moving the Description column in front of the Hours column.
2 Posted by Sam Becker on 13 Feb, 2010 08:59 PM
I'm also on the fence about buying OTJ. These features would make my decision much easier. Best, Sam
Support Staff 3 Posted by Dan Messing on 15 Feb, 2010 07:38 PM
The good news is that most of your missing key abilities list are on our to-do list, although I can't give you a date as to when those features will be available. We know the editor could use some improvements to make things easier though. I'm not yet sure exactly how "saving" templates will work, but we will most likely stick with an auto-saving model since that's how the rest of the application works. The ability to restore original templates I think will make that less of an issue.
For your wish list items, I have a couple of questions that I hope you can clarify for me.
For the client logo - is this a logo you would want to appear on invoices?
Good point - we should have some identifier for that area.
I like the idea of perhaps changing "description" to name. You're right that it should not be viewed as additional optional data. Thanks for making me aware that this is a potential point of confusion.
Thank you very much for all of your feedback, hopefully the enhancements we have planned will help make On The Job more useable for you!
Dan Messing
4 Posted by Sam Becker on 15 Feb, 2010 08:10 PM
It would be great to position the client's logo on the invoice (the same one setup as their image)
5 Posted by jankees on 15 Feb, 2010 08:17 PM
Hi,
Is there a way to hook the data of Onthejob into iCal, I need this for my accountant.
Thanks,
Jankees
Support Staff 6 Posted by Dan Messing on 15 Feb, 2010 09:42 PM
Sam - interesting, this would require a bit of re-tooling as the client image that On The Job saved is too low-resolution to be useful on a printed invoice, but something to keep in mind going forward.
jankees - There is no way to have On The Job data show up in iCal. Again, something we can look at for the future.
7 Posted by Rob on 17 Feb, 2010 10:50 PM
"I'm not yet sure exactly how "saving" templates will work, but we will most likely stick with an auto-saving model since that's how the rest of the application works. The ability to restore original templates I think will make that less of an issue."When I said saving, I meant something like Apple Mail does when editing accounts, if you click to another account, it asks you if you want to save your changes or not. It would be nice to switch to another template and discard changes to the previous one. You didn't mention undo, but that feature is sorely needed whether or not you choose to save.
"For the client logo - is this a logo you would want to appear on invoices?"Yes, but I only email my invoice PDFs, so it does not matter if the resolution is only 72ppi.
"Thank you very much for all of your feedback, hopefully the enhancements we have planned will help make On The Job more useable for you!"Your welcome, but thank you for your quick reply!
Rob
Support Staff 8 Posted by Dan Messing on 18 Feb, 2010 12:27 AM
Rob,
Undo in the Template Editor - I agree that it is needed. I don't mind that idea for the saving of invoices. I will have to give it some more thought.
Dan
9 Posted by Max on 07 Apr, 2010 07:05 PM
Hi,
iCal syncing would be really wonderful. I collect my tasks in Things and then work them off. Perhaps a lot more people do it that way too (in similar apps). On the job would suit perfectly to complete the whole process from task to invoice and I would instantly buy it, if there wouldn't be that bottle neck.
Regards
Max
Support Staff 10 Posted by Dan Messing on 09 Apr, 2010 01:17 AM
Max,
Thanks for the input. So far iCal integration is not on our short list of features for the near future, but knowing that people are interested is good.
Dan