Dmitry Tarasov (Chaos Control) shared information about the release of the Windows version of the program in his blog.
As promised earlier, on November 23 we released our first full-fledged product for the desktop version of Windows - . Now that the first steps have been taken, and the inevitable launch problems have been eliminated, it's time to tell in more detail how we came to the release of the Windows version of the application, what came of it and what will happen next.
Windows 7 support in 2016? Seriously?
A funny thing happened to me a week ago. In Moscow, there is a Fund for the Development of Internet Initiatives, which invests in various projects at an early stage. Periodically, they hold open meetings with mentors (these are experts who come to the fund to give advice to startups), where you can talk about your project and get feedback. This idea was implemented in the form of express consultations with 5-6 experts in turn.
I decided to go to this event to unwind (we are still far from the stage from which it is interesting to go to the IIDF) and listen to what respected people think about the concept of Chaos control. So everything was fine until the very last session, where I met with an expert from Microsoft. When he learned that we had just released an application that supports Windows 7 (I prudently kept silent about the fact that we also support XP), he looked at me with bewilderment as if I were crazy. The subsequent dialogue looked something like this:
He: Yes, we already have 50 million users on Windows 10, and we don't even sell Windows 7 anymore.
I: But this does not negate the fact that most of our users do not want to switch to Windows 10 and continue to use Windows 7.
He: What the hell? You don't follow the market at all!
I: As well as enterprise users who do not trust Windows 10 and continue to use Windows 7 or Windows XP in general.
At this point, I just died for him as a person. In the eyes it was directly read: “What kind of idiot do you have to be to release an application for Windows 7 in 2016?”.
To explain: yes, Windows 10 is growing fast, which is great. Especially considering that the new Chaos Control generally supports all versions of Windows, including Windows 10. But in numbers, at the moment in Russia, the number of users with Windows 10 is 2 times less than the number of users with Windows XP (!). And 10 times less than the number of users on Windows 7:
By the way, you know that we already had an application in the Windows Store that works on Windows 8 and Windows 10. So, we only earned as much from pre-orders of the new PC version as we earn in the Windows Store in 4 months. So much for "not following the market".
Harsh figures objectively reflecting the true state of affairs were also confirmed by our users. The request for a full desktop client for Windows was perhaps the most popular request since the early months of Chaos Control. Even multiple contexts and priorities have not been asked of us as often as to release a client under the seven. So, reasoning that we needed a “real” desktop client for Chaos Control to work as a planning tool, we finally released it.
Rakes and problems at the start
It wasn't without problems, of course. First, we greatly underestimated the time and complexity of developing a desktop client. The fact is that although we had extensive experience in creating mobile applications, this was our first project for a radically different platform. And we are also lucky that we have a very cool developer. The process of creating a Windows desktop application differs from creating an Android application in everything from the development process to the process of publishing an application. Therefore, we discovered a lot of new things for ourselves, made childish mistakes and shamelessly delayed the development time. I can safely call it the most valuable experience gained over the past year.
The second major problem was platform fragmentation. Now, talking about how difficult it is to develop applications for Android, because there are a lot of devices, makes me laugh. Imagine: Windows is installed on hundreds of millions of PCs and on millions of different hardware configurations and the degree of neglect of the system. Even the same assembly of Windows, installed on the same hardware, after a year and after five years of operation are radically different systems. Therefore, immediately after the launch, we picked up problems with old hardware and, in particular, with Windows XP. There were also problems with the new high resolution screens. At the moment they are already resolved, but for example, what my desktop looked like most of the time the last few months:
A great help in this regard was the beta tests of the application, which we conducted together with our most active users. Having tried it on Windows, we will extend this practice to mobile platforms - this is an extremely positive experience in all respects.
In addition, in the case of software for versions of Windows prior to Windows 8, the entire logistics of software distribution falls on the shoulders of the developer. The Windows Store does not accept such software, so we had to implement our own license verification mechanisms, as well as use our own billing. By the way, be prepared to spend an extra $1,000 on app certification and registration code verification system integration if you're building your own Windows app. By the way, this also has its advantages. In particular, our billing allows you to receive each payment for each sold application license in real time to your PayPal account (in the case of foreign buyers), and not incomprehensibly when and in incomprehensible amount, as is the case with the Windows Store.
Ultimately, we did a lot of work that laid the foundation for further scaling and development of our desktop clients (a Mac client is also on the way), as well as to improve the financial performance of the project as a whole. For our users, this means a more intensive development of clients on all key platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Web).
What happened in the end
The result is a client that, in its first version, repeats the functionality of mobile clients, but, due to the desktop form factor, is more convenient in planning and processing large amounts of data. I'll just leave here a few screenshots that illustrate themselves:
We have already collected the first feedback from users and are extremely pleased with what we have achieved. Especially now, when the first problems have already been fixed, and the strategy for further development is clear. I want to sincerely thank all our users who pre-ordered and gave feedback on the first versions of the product - it helped us a lot. Let me remind you that you can download the trial version and / or buy the application.
Strategy for further development
By the end of the year, we plan to prepare and release a similar client for Mac OS into beta test (the start of sales is scheduled for January 21). After that, clients will be updated more or less in parallel. From the nearest plans - integration with the calendar and, probably, deep integration with MS Office (in particular, with Outlook). In addition, we have started work on redesigning and developing the next major update of the iOS version, as well as incremental improvements to the Android version.
For all Chaos Control applications in general, our main priority right now is adding the ability to attach files to projects and tasks, as well as adding delegation and collaboration capabilities. This does not cancel other plans, but our main priority for the next year is the release of a product that allows you to use our tool not only for personal planning, but also for organizing work in teams.
If you find a typo - highlight it and press Ctrl + Enter! To contact us, you can use .
Chaos Control is an application for those who are used to planning their work day and setting goals for themselves. This organizer will be especially useful for those who conduct business activities, or launch a startup. Simply put, all those who have to do a large number of things every day. The developers of the program immodestly call their product "revolutionary" and really effective, unlike most of the solutions presented on Google Play. As mentioned earlier, the program allows you to work with both small daily tasks and set yourself global goals, which can take more than one week or even a month to complete. In addition, individual tasks of the goal can be combined into projects. Any period of time can be allocated for the implementation of goals and projects. The program will notify you about the approaching "deadlines" using pop-up notifications.
In addition, the program contains tools for creating lists, storing personal data and passwords, and there is also support for all kinds of smart watches from various manufacturers. The interface of the program, although typical for applications of this kind, is still quite modern, ergonomic and intuitive.
Key features and functions
- allows you to plan your daily routine and set goals;
- makes it possible to store personal data protected by a password in the program;
- has an extremely convenient and ergonomic interface;
- can notify users about the end of the time allocated for individual projects;
- can work with all kinds of third-party gadgets;
- has a very nice and simple interface.
02.08.2014
- Android application Chaos Control Premium GTD , version: 1.5, price: 60 uah, 4.99 $
Hello dear readers.
Today I will present to your attention the best and easiest to-do planner, reminder and task manager all rolled into one. This app is Chaos Control. Before I jump right into the app review, I'd like to give you a little background.
My job involves running multiple projects in parallel. And this means that you have to deal with many large and small tasks. Some of which consist of even smaller tasks. And I would always like to have some one place where you can store it all, see it and process it in some way.
Speaking about myself, due to the fact that I overlooked several important things during the month and did not return to them, I did not earn about $ 1,000. If you didn't earn it, then you lost it.
For several years I tried courageously to keep the whole thing in my head, using calendars, or to-do lists, diaries, reminders, and scraps of paper.
The best organizer for all this time, it seemed to me the usual table in Google Docs. But alas, the functionality is very limited there, and you yourself understand: the table is not the best reminder, although it is a good organizer.
And all the todo lists and reminders turned out to be inconvenient for me, because they are simply inconvenient.
As practice shows, we record there mostly large actions that cannot be done at a time. Therefore, they remain with us for a long time not crossed out, thereby creating psychological discomfort for us from a bunch of unfinished business. We can endlessly reschedule these big tasks, and more often than not, sooner or later, we simply stop doing such an organization of affairs.
I didn't do well with my diary either. For several years I heroically tried to manage it, but sometimes I forget to open it in the morning, sometimes I forget to write down my affairs in the evening. Then leaving the house you can forget it, or there is nowhere to put it at all. Moreover, as it turned out, the diary is not very suitable for long-term planning.
There you can write tasks for today, in the most advanced ones you can also write a to-do list for the week - but I have not yet met diaries that could show the entire structure of the project.
Probably, this can be done somehow on paper, but it will require a lot of effort - you will have to carry out such planning in one place, then rewrite the cases that need to be written out in the daily pages of the diary ...
(There is a whole strategy on how to manage and organize things, it is called GTD, but in paper form, doing business using this technology requires a huge effort to "administer" the system itself.)
A person is so arranged (marketers have long found out) - that he does not like to do unnecessary actions.
That is why most people continue to courageously carry all their affairs in their heads, and periodically endure fails, because they have forgotten something.
The other part of the people has found and successfully uses various electronic assistants, one of which I will tell you today.
I have long wanted to have a good application on my smartphone, where I could manage all my business. To have a desktop version. To be in Russian. And that it be with a simple and intuitive interface. Oh yes!
I also really wanted it to be beautiful. I no longer remember how it happened, it seems that I climbed into Google play in search of another solution to which I could upload all my problems. And I came across the Chaos control application.
It had many downloads, a convincing 4-star rating, and beautiful screenshots. (For some reason, the monstrous Todoist scared me away, and from the reviews it became clear that the free version is very much curtailed, and the full version is quite expensive.)
In general, I realized that I had nothing to lose, and pressed the "Download" button.
I got used to the application very easily and quickly. The author strongly suggests reading several articles on his blog, which describe in detail and clearly the work of this application, the philosophy and logic of its creator (it is close to me), as well as some tips on using the application.
These actions are carefully included in the list of immediate tasks ☺ .
The logic of the creators of the application is very correct.
Such applications are used by people who lead one or more projects. And the indicator of success in business is the completed projects, not the things crossed out in the diary. If large projects are divided into large tasks, and already from large tasks, smaller tasks are singled out, to which they are assigned the necessary deadlines, then it will be much easier to achieve success and control your affairs.
I enthusiastically exclaimed: "Finally!" - and began to drive his affairs into him.
So, let's move on to the application.
In the application, you can create an unlimited number of folders by topic.
For example:
Personal. Job. Education. And everything else you need.
Within each of these folders, you can create an unlimited number of subfolders.
You can create a "Project" in a folder.
The project is a big deal. In other words, a large task that consists of smaller tasks.
You can run an infinite number of large cases, which consist of the same large and large task-projects.
You can work with each project conveniently:
Here, for example, the project: "Write a review for the site." It seemed like a simple task.
However, it consists of many small actions.
You can also do different actions with tasks: you can drag them to create the desired order; You can delete them with one click.
You can use the "Share" button to send a list of tasks by e-mail, SMS or messenger. At the same time, in the message, the tasks themselves will be sorted into "Done" and "Completed". Very comfortably. Who knows why this is necessary - appreciate it.
Also, the task can be edited in any way during creation and subsequently.
And there are a lot of possibilities here too:
Now a little about the rest of the goodies and amenities of the application.
Here is the main menu:
There are several large tabs here:
- "Place of Chaos" - tasks that are not tied to any folder or project that you create on the run.
You can return to these tasks here, switch to editing mode, and, for example, assign a tag to the task or attach it to some project. You can set the time and reminder. In general - a full-fledged editing of the task;
- "Plan of the day" - all tasks that have today's due date.
The list can be scrolled up and down if there are many tasks.
Swipe left and right to move around the calendar.
You can also just drag your finger on the date bar and it will scroll;
- "Projects" is a wire-like structure for all your folders, projects and tasks.
In folders, you can create folders and projects. You can sort them however you like.
The usual "file" system. Simple, convenient, understandable;
- "Contexts" are tags that you assign to projects and tasks.
Well, for example:
There are several preset tags, the rest you are free to create in unlimited quantities.
Disadvantage - you can only attach one tag.
I think it would be more convenient if you could assign several.
The application has 2 convenient widgets:
1. One small.
2. And one big one.
Now let's move on to the main benefit of this program, for which, however, you will already have to fork out, since it is only available in the premium version.
This is an opportunity to create an account and conduct all your business from an unlimited number of devices, including on a computer via a web interface. And, of course, store all this data in the cloud.
A common situation when suddenly something irreparable happened to the phone, and all data is lost. If you have an account - then everything is OK.
For me, it turned out to be so necessary that I created a special card for online payments and bought the premium version.
By the way, it turned out that this is a very profitable purchase.
First, now almost all similar services provide such services on the basis of subscriptions. I bought a lifetime premium for only $4.99.
And secondly - a good diary is more expensive.
So, what do we get in the web version?
A convenient and visual representation of all our folders, projects and tasks.
As well as the ability to conveniently work with the application during planning.
When creating a project:
When creating a task:
Also, the premium version allows you to protect the application with a password.
Upon closer examination, it turned out that the web version is somewhat inferior in functionality to the mobile application.
I immediately wrote to support about the identified shortcomings. To which I received an almost instant response.
They answered that yes, indeed the web version is now inferior in functionality to mobile platforms. But now the development of a full-fledged application of the desktop version (for a computer) is in full swing, in which all the shortcomings will be taken into account and eliminated.
On this I come to the end of my review, and I want to summarize.
And the wonderful questions compiled by the editors of the site will help me with this.
What is the application?
Incredibly simple and convenient to-do planner. More than just a reminder.
The app is ideal for entrepreneurs who have several different projects and constantly forget something.
How long and how often have you been using this app?
Installed the app a few weeks ago. I use daily.
What do you like? Strengths, virtues.
- simplicity and visual display of the structure of cases;
- cross-platform;
- Napoleonic plans for the development of the application;
- excellent optimization;
- convenient and thoughtful interface;
- fast and adequately working Russian-speaking support.
What's not to like? Weaknesses, shortcomings, glitches.
There were no glitches. The app is very stable. Doesn't lag, doesn't slow down.
Syncs quickly.
Of the shortcomings - there is no way to set priorities for tasks, there is no way to assign multiple tags, there is no way to assign colors to folders or tasks, for more convenient work.
It syncs well with Google calendar, but I haven't been able to create a task lately - you click on the "Save" button - and nothing happens.
Repeatedly wrote about this in support, but the answer is always the same: "Uninstall and reinstall the application." Spat and scored.
Actually, out of desperation, I came across "Chaos-Control", for which I thank him.
There are still many competitors who use GTD (Getting Things Done) time management logic, but "Chaos Control" seemed to me quite simple and convenient. And besides, it is also very beautiful.
There is also a very powerful Todoist application, I can’t say anything about it.
What else can you say?
While I'm satisfied with the application, however, there are shortcomings that overshadow the joy - I wrote about them above.
Absolutely happy with the money spent on it.
I give the app a solid 9 out of 10.
What is there is done to a high standard. It works neatly and clearly, has a nice design and excellent optimization. And besides, the developers are actively listening to users and working to improve the functionality. There is room to grow, and in the near future the functionality will be completed.
Bogdan Fig
