HiTask is a spiffy-looking new web-based task management application that I really want to like. The user interface is full of Ajaxy goodness and well-thought-out functionality that makes it both easy and fun to use. But alas, in the current run of web applications a great user interface isn’t enough to make an application compelling, and there are a few other areas where HiTask doesn’t quite make it for me.
Let’s start with the high points. After signing up (a one-minute process, with no e-mail confirmation necessary), entering a new task is as simple as typing the task name into a box and hitting a button. In addition to tasks, you can track meetings, reminders, notes, and birthdays. The editing interface is super-fast, and you can flexibly categorize your tasks: drop them on a date on the calendar to schedule them, drop them on a team member to assign them, or group them by project or color flag. There’s enough depth here to satisfy the GTD crowd while those who want simplicity can ignore the bells and whistles.
Though there’s no concept of numerical priority, organizing tasks is as simple as dragging them around on the list so it’s easy to move the more important tasks to the top. The dragging and rearranging is all very smooth, and except for a few bobbles (dates can’t be set to local format, for example) the UI is very nice. There’s even a built-in chat client to let you talk to team members directly over the HiTask interface.
So what’s missing here? For starters, the free trial version is barely enough to get a taste of what’s going on. When you hit ten tasks, you either need to delete some or pony up $12 (via PayPal) for a year of service in the “Pro” version to remove the limits. Much worse, though, is the data lock-in: HiTask tasks can’t be printed, exported, or synchronized to anything else. Synchronization is a tough problem in general, but to not even give me a way to get my tasks out to a text file is a big disincentive to put them in to this application in the first place.
If HiTask can figure out a way to make their data play nicely with others, and perhaps open up a more realistic trial version, I’d rate them worth checking out. As it is, they’re an interesting entrant in the Web 2.0 sweepstakes, but not a winner.
Nice writeup, Mike. Just a couple things though: “HiTask tasks can’t be printed, exported, or synchronized to anything else.” HiTask does allow you to export to iCal by feed (which you can also save and stick in Google Calendar, for example). Says “iCalendar feed” under the task list. Also, to print, just use the browser file > print (HiTask uses CSS for printing – they should provide a link though). Just thought I’d give the heads up. We started using HiTask the other day and we’re liking it so far. I especially like being able to assign individual tasks to other teammates.
What todo list would you recommend?
Chris, WWD writer Judi Sohn liked Gubb when she reviewed it:
http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/18/gubb-outstanding-online-application-for-lists/
Brian, thanks for the heads-up on the options. I must plead blindness – though I wish more Web 2.0 apps would provide the basics of a help file instead of depending on the “poke and prod” school of usability.
Right now I’m using Gmail to manage my todo list. I think the difficulty of all these services is that it’s ANOTHER account and another window to keep open and another site to remember to visit each day. I like using Gmail to manage my list because I’m already looking at my email all day. I think if Gmail was to integrate a todo list that could be shared across teams that would be the end of the story. I do like the ability to assign list to team members in HITASK but unfortunately that means that you have to get buy-in from the rest of the team to use the service as well (unless your the top-down do-or-die type manager). Does anyone else know of a list sharing program that allows people (non-members) to be able to access the lists via RSS?
Can anyone tell me how this one compares to Gubb or Nozbe?
[...] Dobry interfejs to jednak nie wszystko i w moim odczuciu HiTask, poza szybkością i łatwością używania, nie oferuje nic szczególnego, a wręcz brakuje kilku funkcjonalności, które można by chcieć znaleźć w tego typu rozwiązaniu. Być może zbyt duży nacisk położony został na interfejs, a nieco mniejszy na sam oferowany zestaw funkcji. Zainteresowanym polecam osobiste zapoznanie się z aplikacją albo nieco więcej szczegółów na Profy i WWD. [...]
As for Nozbe – we’ve just added new ways of adding tasks to Nozbe and added new missing features… and we are redesigning the user interface and I must admit HiTask has a nice UI…. but it’s for you to decide – there are lot’s of apps for GTD now and I guess all of them differ in one way or the other – and I’m sorry to say – you have to test all of them until you find the one that makes your day. Nozbe takes a very different approach to GTD than HiTask… so it’s up to you to know which one is “the one approach” that will work for you.