Ruminations: TimeTool Update

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

TimeTool Update

After a very long time, I've updated Cratchit.org TimeTool.

To be sure, for the longest time I didn't update it because it simply did what I wanted. However, it was looking pretty dated on new platforms and was no longer being rendered properly. So... update.

DESCRIPTION

A quick description for those who haven't seen or used the tool:

Basically, Cratchit.org TimeTool allows you to list a number of tasks or projects that you're working on and simply accrue time to one of them at a time by pointing at it. People simply think they can multitask. In fact, they task-switch; and that's what TimeTool keeps track of: where your is attention focused. If, like me, you work in an environment where you have to bill time to multiple tasks, that's exactly what you need.

REVISIONS AND FEATURES

The new version has moved from Delphi to Lazarus, and adds just a few features:

The controls are all rendered properly on modern platforms.
Only one instance can run at a time. This prevents you from accidentally trashing a data file.
There is now a time calculator. I have a rather good physical calculator that does that, but the thing is over 40 years old, and I wanted the convenience of having it right there on the tool where I'll be recording the results. TimeTool's calculator is actually three in one:

Durations: Put two durations in (Days, Hours, Minutes, Seconds), and the calculator will add or subtract them. Or put in a single duration (Time1) and it will multiply or divide it as you direct.
Time and Date: You can add or subtract a duration to/from a calendar date and see where it winds up on the calendar.
Time Between Dates: Put in two calendar datetimes and it will calculate the difference.

Calculator results can be copy-and-pasted.

As before,

There is no setup. Just extract the zip and run the appropriate executable.
There's none of this "clocking in" and "clocking out" nonsense. The clock is running, or it isn't. If it's running, just point to the task you're working on and it will start accruing time there. Doing something else...? Point to the new task. That's all. It's also handy for keeping track of overhead: just make a task for it.
Data is automatically saved when the program is closed.
The tool will accrue time even if the computer is turned off. The saved data file records whether it was accruing time when you closed the program, and will calculate the time elapsed until you start it again. You can start a task and shut down, reboot... whatever. It will still keep accurate time.
You can save your data to CSV for use in your favorite spreadsheet. This makes it pretty easy to keep up with your work when you prepare timesheets for submission or prepare invoices.
It's a tool, not your boss. You can edit times freely.
Help is included.

SCREENSHOTS