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Rationale
Imagine a desktop where the organizing principle for workflow becomes the "project" or "task." So I'm working on a coding project. Any research I do in the browser (history and bookmarks) automatically attaches to ("gets saved in") the task. Instant message or IRC sessions in that task are kept organized there. Documents I create associate with the task. Each task would feel a lot like virtual desktops today, but you could shut down your machine and pop up the same virtual desktop with your apps open in the same positions.
I'd like to see a task-oriented desktop realized (starting point ideas are in Plasma, Gimme). Basically take Virtual Desktop, "session" across reboots, and tag/metadata based file system, and application integration to permit work you do to be associated with different projects or tasks across applications.
You would be able to close a task and reopen it. Move a task to another machine. Switch between tasks as easily as virtual desktops. Easily post-hoc re-classify data events that occurred over a period of time to a given task in case they associated with the wrong one.
Also the window manager should do more of the window management, as IonWM, dwm do.
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jhoger
wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 06:48
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Editing the description is not working. So I'll embellish here:
Imagine a desktop where the organizing principle for workflow becomes the "project" or "task." So I'm working on a coding project. Any research I do in the browser automatically attaches to the task. Instant message or IRC sessions in that task are kept organized there. Documents I create associate with the task.
I'd like to see a task-oriented desktop realized (starting point ideas are in Plasma, Gimme). Basically take Virtual Desktop, "session" across reboots, and tag/metadata based file system, and application integration to permit work you do to be associated with different projects or tasks across applications.
You would be able to close a task and reopen it. Move a task to another machine. Switch between tasks as easily as virtual desktops. Easily post-hoc re-classify data events that occurred over a period of time to a given task in case they associated with the wrong one.
Also the window manager should do more of the window management, as IonWM, dwm do.
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makiute
wrote on the 11 May 08 at 20:31
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I liked your idea, but it could be better explained end organized.
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jhoger
wrote on the 12 May 08 at 20:57
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makiute: I agree. It's a tough one to convey since it's a new concept and there isn't a lot of space before you get the [...] box. Any suggestions?
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I multi-task - code, get distracted with pidgin, check some news... sounds like a neat idea but I don't think it'll fit most.
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jhoger
wrote on the 3 Jun 08 at 19:49
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Vadim -- yeah that's why you need to be able to post-hoc reclassify data to go with another task.
But ideally I think you would learn over time to arrange things so data/events attach to the proper task by default.
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lessthe
wrote on the 5 Aug 08 at 00:48
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I don't want to claim credit - just promote the idea - but it's a thought I had a couple of years ago. I totally endorse the idea and am constantly looking for open source software that will assist.
I'm typically working across about a dozen different tasks and have to switch quickly between them. I imagine my desktop with areas that are designated and "zoomable" for each project. Or perhaps each virtual desktop corresponds to a different task with its own collection of documents on the desktop. Within that zoomed area or virtual desktop should be the key active documents for the corresponding task. Links to schedules, todo lists, emails, code, websites, collaborators' contact information, etc should all be easily accessible for each task.
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Endolith
wrote on the 15 Oct 08 at 05:05
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Yes! I've had a similar idea for "project-based" computer interaction, where you work on projects, and other projects "drop off" into a history log, and you never close applications; you just work on projects. An important part is to prevent the need for saving documents; to save everything continuously and transparently. I've written about that part here:
http://www.endolith.com/wordpress/2007/12/24/abolish-the-saving-of-documents/
Maybe I should file an idea if it's not already on Brainstorm.
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Endolith
wrote on the 20 Oct 08 at 16:19
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I think the applications should all be changed to be document-centric instead of application-centric (like how Inkscape opens up a separate window for each document), and then the Window Manager should group the windows by project based on project tags for each document, and be smart enough to not waste screen space with multiple menu bars, etc. The menus and other additions to the window should be independent of the area where the document is displayed, so the window manager can organize everything optimally.
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/9560/
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