Customizing note titles & icons in the tree pane

[AlamoCity]

I ran across the below (new) review of your program in download.com, and it appears that you have a big fan. I'm also a big fan of your program, and if I was limited to just one software program it would definitely have to be MyInfo! As far as the things mentioned in the cons part of the review, I would be very much interested in seeing those features added to your program as well. Do you have any plans for adding one or more of those capabilities in version 4? If not, would you consider it? Just being able to use different colors for the icons would be a big help. Thanks in advance for your response.

Here's the review:

A powerful database program masquerading as a two-pane outliner

03-Aug-2006 04:48:07 PM
Reviewer: iLuvMyInfo

Pros: The incredible features of this program can only be fully appreciated by trying it out for yourself, as it would take me hours to adequately articulate the benefits. The people who wrote the program are truly software geniuses. The most valuable feature is the customizable, *SORTABLE* columns that you can create in the left pane. You can even make them pop-up lists so you don't have to type the same things over and over. The "Tags Preview" column allows you to assign any words (tags) to describe the contents of each note, and then with a single click, you can filter the notes by those tags. It also has a handy cloning feature that allows you to duplicate a note in order to have it filed under different categories. (When you make a change in one copy, it's automatically reflected in the other copies.) There is no bloat to the program, and the actual functionality of each feature is strictly first class. All in all, it is a very well thought out, highly organized program. I especially like the 'single click' editable hyperlinks that can be put in notes to jump to other notes, as well as documents, folders, etc. The program will even recognize hyperlinks and browser web links in the left pane list of your note titles! You can also customize the toolbars, and add/remove individual buttons. There are also many other pleasant surprises to this program. So check it out for yourself, and take the time to install the trial correctly by shutting down all open programs. Otherwise it may perform in a buggy manner. In fact, you should do a restart, so you can install it with a fresh system. Also, explore the features when you have some quality time to spend with the program. Because if you blow it off after two minutes when something is not intuitive enough for you, it will be one of the biggest mistakes you ever make. As this program is definitely a keeper.

Cons: There is no way to customize the left pane note icons in order to categorize your notes. For example, with my topic on to-do type stuff, I would like to be able to use different colored icons depending on the type of task -- red for errands, green for outdoor chores, etc. I would also like to be able to use folder icons for category titles. Additionally, there is no provision for making individual left pane titles bold in order to distinguish between headings for different subjects. In other words, ALL note titles have to be either bold or regular -- you can not mix the styles. Whereas with the outliner named Jot+ Notes, right clicking on any note gives you access to Note Properties for that note title. Which means you can organize/customize your note titles in the left pane with many different colors, bold highlights, underlines, and italics -- in addition to a variety of icon styles. This customization also provides valuable landmark navigation. Not being able to do this with MyInfo is like buying the best luxury car available, and then finding out that it doesn't come with power windows and leather seats. Your reaction is huh!!!???. Without being able to customize the note titles with different colors, etc., it just makes the program DULL, and way too plain. Plus, the lack of these landmarks makes it considerably more difficult to move around quickly in the outline tree and keep your bearings. Although I should add that since I am familiar with the powerful features MyInfo DOES have, I would pay $300 for this program (all I can afford) -- even without the ability to customize note titles. But I would still complain LOUDLY about it. BTW, this is the *first* time I've ever babbled like this about ANY software program, and I've used hundreds of programs over the past 15 years.

[Petko]

This is really an interesting review of MyInfo! I do not agree that it requires restart for it to work (except if there is some unknown for us problem with the IE plugin), but it is pleasant to have people writing so long reviews of your application

It is definitely in our plans to allow customization in the tree, so it will be in MyInfo 4!
As for the icons, we will think about it. We have an idea to add document labeling like in Microsoft Outlook (tm). So you will be able to change the background color of the document (both icon and text).

[AlamoCity]

This is really an interesting review of MyInfo! I do not agree that it requires restart for it to work (except if there is some unknown for us problem with the IE plugin), but it is pleasant to have people writing so long reviews of your application

The reviewer probably meant that a restart would be good just to be on the safe side.

It is definitely in our plans to allow customization in the tree, so it will be in MyInfo 4!
As for the icons, we will think about it. We have an idea to add document labeling like in Microsoft Outlook (tm). So you will be able to change the background color of the document (both icon and text).

This is great news, and I will definitely be looking forward to version 4! As I tried Jot+ Notes myself, and I LOVED the “Note Properties” feature for the tree. I used it to make the first three levels of titles different colors for easy navigation. Level one titles (my main subject categories) were bold/red; level two titles (the sub-categories) were bold/blue, and level three titles (my actual note titles) were regular/black.

These color coded levels enabled me to zip around the outline very fast, while instantly knowing what subject I was on at all times. And of course, it enables you to immediately key in on all the sub-category titles for each subject, which saves a lot of time when you’re working with many different subjects. So the reviewer was clearly right about the customization helping you to keep your bearings while maneuvering around in the tree.