Mailund on the Internet

What makes a user interface Googley? asks Sue Factor on Google's blog.  I don't really know.  Like porn, it is hard to define but I know it when I see it.

The main thing I notice with Google's services is the simplicity.  Especially in the various "search like" applications ("real" Google, Google Maps, Google Scholar, etc.) you have a simple input bar and a list of results.  It couldn't be simpler.

The simplicity is combined with a very powerful application, though.  The syntax for searches is extremely powerful, and I keep learning new tricks.  It is a wonderful user experience when the application combines an smooth learning curve with a learning curve that just doesn't seem to stop climbing...

Another web application with a similar feeling to it as Google's applications is Amir's Todoist.  A simple web todo-list I have been using for a while.  Try it out and I think you will agree with me.

I've been using Todoist for the last couple of weeks.

I got into it a bit late. At first, I didn't much see the point of having an online TODO list, but as my work is changing more and more into managing projects rather than doing them myself, keeping track of things to do becomes more and more important, and since I'm working on several different computers at different locations now, having the todo list online is really nice.

Anyway, knowing Todoist from Amir, I tried it out, and within days I was addicted. It is a really nice web application. Simple but powerful interface. Very "google like" actually. The project grouping and powerful query language makes it very easy to manage the list, and there is practically no overhead in using it, compared to the "pen and paper" approach I was used to.

On Mac there is even a dashboard widget, so there Todoist integrates wonderfully with my desktop. When I get around to it (tm) I'd love to program something similar to GNOME so I have the same integration with my Linux desktop.

I wrote to Amir today to give my praise for his application. He answered by making me premium member for life. Wonderful! I guess flattery can get you everywhere...