I could care less if the checkboxes are on the right or left — the point is more intricate for my interpretation of the issue here.
Simply, the checkbox on the right-hand side on large screens AND the only indication of a tasks status is the problem. If the updated checkboxes in OF2 were only there to indicate complete or incomplete tasks there is really no issue. However, the checkboxes have been modified to indicate additional information; flagged, due soon, and over due. It is this information which is difficult to discern as it is too far from the text it represents. The only solution I can think of while keeping the checkboxes on the right-hand side is to have the text of a task change color according to its status (such as is done in OF1) and thus the checkbox, alone, is not required for such status determinations.
– Edit –
Correction by changing left-hand side to right-hand side.
There’s the psychological aspect to this issue as well. A circle instinctively feels like something that is harder to click, hence the need to ‘aim’ for. A checkbox, on the other hand, is slightly different.
Similar situation in standardised tests like the SAT, or any other administrative form that you fill. Always squares as opposed to circles.
Yes. As you have done or which could be done by changing the text color (less jarring in my opinion), would connect the task title with its current status. The need to scan horizontally is greatly reduced and this information is not indicated solely by the new checkbox design and location. One could scan down the left-hand side and immediately recognized task status.
– Edit –
The reason I would hold changing the text color as more effective over the changing of the background color would be because the flagged state is determined by the colored circle. Confusion could occur when the dual color circle AND a colored background are present. I would expect a change in text color along with the colored circle checkbox is sufficient to clearly communicate the task’s status.
The only flaw is having the flagged status represents so far away from the text of the task, but this is how OF1 presented the information and this status is usually viewed from the flagged perspective.
I like the checkbox to be on the right. Given the direction of reading - Left -> Right, I do not need to se the checkbox there, as in 99% of cases it is unchecked - unless looking at completed tasks - Which I personaly rarely do. With checkbox on the right I can focus straight on the task.
Btw, that is something I would love to be able to change in omnioutliner too;)
Can’t remember how many days we have had OF2 test, feels like a week though.
I am still clicking where I expect the checkbox to be, (on the left), and it takes me a few seconds to catch my error. I’m just clicking white space. I’m surprised I’m not used to it yet, but I just don’t associate the right aligned boxes with the task.
It does seem like there is fairly even split on people who prefer left to right and vice versa. I think this should be an option, as it just doesn’t work for me on any screen size.
I like 'em on the right. It suits the way I scan things. I can see I’m in a minority (at least in these discussions), but I’d prefer them to stay where they are
I’ve started using OF2 the same day I moved from a small desktop monitor to the largest monitor (pre-thunderbolt) Apple sells.
The checkboxes on the right when expanded full screen seem to be completely disassociated with the tasks.
I use OF on all other devices (iphone, ipad, macbook) and I know the value of this design on iOS devices, but I don’t like it on the desktop. I had hoped having a large screen would help me with OF because I have a zillion projects nested in many folders, but I’m pretty disappointed at this point. Such a sea of white. I think to compensate I’m going to have to shrink the width of my OF window to half the size of my screen.
-James
(longtime OF user since the days of kinkless)
Reading these comments, it seems to me like there are pros and cons to both approaches:
Having the checkboxes on the left makes it easier to check off completed task and to identify the status (flagged/due soon/completed) of any particular action. It also emphasizes the hierarchy, making it more obvious if an action is nested within an action group.
Having the checkboxes on the right puts greater emphasis on the action titles, making it easier to scan the content. (Although, personally, I find that the inclusion of a second line of context/project information on the left dramatically undermines this benefit). It also creates consistency with iOS, where it has the added benefit of being easier for right-handed folks to check off tasks with their thumbs.
Which is more useful is probably very workflow dependent – for example, I use lots of daily repeating maintenance tasks and I find it very frustrating to have to pause even slightly to figure out which checkbox corresponds to which action, but I could imagine that not being a problem for people who check off fewer tasks throughout the day.
That suggests to me that this should be a user-definable option. However, if you need to pick one, I would say they should go on the left and follow the hierarchy.
hummm, it might just be me, but isn’t this a rather “expanded” view for a task manager?
As a workaround for the remote checkboxes, either first click the task You want to check (which results in a blue hue for the specific item) or click yourself through the list with the direction arrows and press the spacebar to check the task off!
With the status/check circle off to the right I find on the laptop I’m much more inclined to use the space bar when marking a task done rather than the mouse. It would be nice if when working down a list that after the remaining visible tasks slide up to take the place of the disappeared completed task that the next one in line become highlighted/selected/blue automatically. This would avoid having to hit the down arrow a few times (or a lot of tabs or move the mouse) to get to the next task and be able to use the space bar again .
I am not sure I completely understand what you are suggesting here.
You are correct in stating a task can be marked complete by pressing the spacebar. I am not sure how this resolves the interface issue of its status indicator being on the opposite side of the screen on a Mac in full screen mode. This would be an expanded view for iOS. An expanded view for a Mac that runs applications in full screen mode, no; or at least one should not be criticized for running OF2 for Mac in such an “expanded” mode. Maybe you consider any task manager to not be able to be properly viewed beyond a specific set of dimensions? It seems to me interface elements from an iOS application should not be expected to work equally well on a Mac application without any modification to their placement (or functionality) in regards to differing screen size.
Right-handed checkboxes work on OF2 for iPhone because the dimensions of the screen are limited; horizontal scanning in this case is minimal. The sole functionality of communicating task status works well for that size of device. Right-handed checkboxes do not work well on OF2 for Mac because the dimension of the screen are larger or “expanded” AND the checkbox is the only interface element which conveys the task’s due soon or overdue status. Thus elements are unnecessarily separated from one another at larger screen dimensions. The placement (and corresponding distance) of the checkbox is an elevated concern on the Mac — specifically because it is the sole element intended to communicate this additional information.
My suggestion here, like I have stated before, would be to revert to OF1 functionality in modification of a task’s text color. This would allow OF2 to maintain checkbox location on the right-hand side for consistency across OmniFocus applications while sharing the communication of task status with additional elements and functionality more suited to the device screen dimensions. The changing of the text color to signify a task’s status as in OF1 resolves the dependance on a single element, the checkbox, to convey this information. The application would more effectively communicate task status without a need to scan across the full screen in identifying specific due soon or overdue states.
I dont think we should underestimate the power of the traditional checkbox and its impact on our desire to complete a task. Checkboxes have years of ui history driving our impulse to check it. I’d argue that an unchecked check box is its secondary state, the primary being a checked. Seeing a list containing unchecked checkboxes represents a list that has not yet reached its primary state. i think this is important. The completion of a task means that you allow a checkbox to reach its primary state.
I’m all for paradigm shifts but my experience so far is that i have no impluse or satisfaction from turning a grey circle into a ticked circle. Maybe this association will come over time, but it will have to be learned. I like the way outliner handles tickboxes in the classic sense.
I think the new of2 mechanism functions very well as an indicator or flaggness, dueness etc… but does it also need to be the mechanism for completed state?
I didn’t realise i was as obsessed with checkboxes until i finshed writing this post… thank’s Omni for bringing this to light.
I might have not been clear enough with what I wrote, sorry. I was imagining the distance between task text and checkbox as jperegrino described it on his huge monitor, losing the continuity when trying to track which checkbox refers to which task. To me this is not necessarily faulty software but in part faulty application. Taking this position of course means that I got to like the layout as it is. Since the beta started I switched to OF2 and never looked back. Up until now there is nothing but some minor little preferences I’d love to see fixed. The forums are- of course- more frequented by folks wanting to change matters because the don’t like what they see so far.
@ScottRobinson- I had to smile reading about Your checkbox passion, I can totally relate to it. If there wouldn’t have been the OF2 app for the iphone I might be with You on that right now. The rounded checkboxes of the last version were really nice, but actually I came to like the circles, introducing a more informative paradigm along with the new shape. Maybe we’ll have the option to make some elements catchier by choice (as in: color the flagged tasks text orange as well), this would add to better visual cues and benefit orientation even on larger screens.
My take home from the progression is that it takes time to adapt to new ideas, no matter the quality. I am glad that Omni is not considering taking away the new arrangement in exchange for columns, but maybe they give this considerably big peer group an option to have them back? We’ll see in june!
I totally see the points people are making here (especially about displaying OF in full-screen, which I never do). But I have to say the circles have really grown on me since OF2 for the iPhone came out. They look “happy” somehow, and I like all the different visual states to represent due dates, flags, repeating events, etc.
