The competition is on Rex!

[DaBlackberryBoy]

http://mylifeorganized.net/products/my- ... o-list.htm

http://www.taskjot.com/

I hope you will be able to bringing what they are bring to the table here in 2010 or come close. What do you think?

[SVF]

I'm not sure these are viable competitors to REX. Painted up ponies are still ponies. TMX executes with near perfection and is logically pure to my reason. Reliable with continual evolution and support unrivaled. I do hope IMX will show up to the party soon as to date it does fall a bit short. TMX / IMX with mutiple read/write and perhaps access to external storage (SD Card) would be nice but no other products I've tested have come nearly close to the excellence REX delivers.

[DaBlackberryBoy]

I'm not sure these are viable competitors to REX. Painted up ponies are still ponies. TMX executes with near perfection and is logically pure to my reason. Reliable with continual evolution and support unrivaled. I do hope IMX will show up to the party soon as to date it does fall a bit short. TMX / IMX with mutiple read/write and perhaps access to external storage (SD Card) would be nice but no other products I've tested have come nearly close to the excellence REX delivers.

Funny, I feel they are viable. The painted up ponies actually have one thing over Rex, they are solutions implemented based on end user feedback. They both, especially MLO, hone in on true task management by providing subtasks (which are important in task management in my school of thought), but also true user customization at all aspects. Just check out the sites.

Rex undoubtedly has a great line of products, but their lack of updates and communcation on some of the shortcomings of the products leave most of us wanting something more. If Rex works for you, great; but it no longer does for me!

[SVF]

Point(s) well taken and indeed do rub the truth. I am perhaps too old school and find a great appreciation for the simple. Folder heirachy with the attributes of 'What, When and Where' have served me effectively for a couple decades. REX has provided a means to evolve my system from a 'DeskTop' centric dependancy; although the lack of a good Cloud Desktop is disappointing. I dont believe MLO is wanting , rather REX suits me so perfectly. That said, REX (I believe) is about to evolve exponentially and I hope its soon.

[djm]

At one time I was very anxious for the TAS capability, and I certainly do use it. What that has really done, however, is illustrate all too clearly the inherent limitations of Outlook as a task manager, and the lack of any feedback regarding the status of an updated cloud application is somewhat frustrating. Even then, however, with my clients I must be somewhat circumspect about what I put in the cloud. The objective security that Rex provides -- and I do believe it is quite solid -- is in one sense irrelevant; client perception is more important. And that helps to make an application like MLO atttractive as well.

[splodger1]

Having used MLO desktop in the past, I do have to say it is a good programme. I am not familiar with toodledo, but having watched the you tube clip I would say that it does not seem to have the usability of TDM.
However, I have found TDM to be by far and away the best on the BlackBerry platform and with the hopefully forthcoming introduction of unlimited sub-tasks and linking to IDM will still be the best.

[SVF]

TMX is quite sufficient and then some. IMX with external memory (SD Card) access would close the gate on current competition. Meantime, TMX provides the capacity to handle everything I need. I wish RIM could be as reliable (lately) as REX has been and is.
Thank You REX.

[Jens]

a) To me TDM has absolutely sufficient task management functionality.
b) With MLO I would not use the project-task-subtask effort calculations and the like - if I like to manage a project in this way I go for MS Project.
c) The Blackberry User Interface of TDM is almost perfect

BUT there is a major threads in making use of TDM
a) POOR integration with the "outside" world
b) POOR, POOR integration with the "outside" world
It is not enough to have the tasks perfectly organized on the BB when 60%-80% of the tasks stem from E-mails that you receive in Outlook.
MLO is (almost) showing how this is done propperly: drag&drop integration with outlook. ("almost" because plug-in ability into Outlook replacing Outlooks
lame task manager would be better.

The RexDesktop is:
a) slow
b) user-unfriendly
c) a closed box with absolutely no integration with the desktop (drag&drop etc.)

Here is where MLO can cut in on the biggest thread seen with TDM:
It comes with a decent desktop with excellent integration with the outside world: drag&drop, XML export, command line interface that let you automate it.
I'm currently evaluating it and perhaps I'll switch - sorry, REXwireless - it must be understood that tools that provide no integration to other tools make themselfes weak and outdated. The responses seen so far are giving me no hope that REXwireless is currently traveling in the right direction with the right speed. I was really exited and happy if my perception would be rendered false.


What all known GTD tools are absolutely missing is Workflow support that leads you through the workflow David Allen introduced to treat "stuff".
I wonder about this - it is this obious and central to the GTD concept. Every task, every email could be led through the workflow holding its state and being actively responsive to the user - it was easy if the worlds would meet: email and task handling in the very same tool.
If it was christmas and I was a child, I would wish there was a TDM Outlook plug-in with full sync and integration with Outlook - and - TAS was not needed.

[interfasys]

My €0.02
Toodledo is not encrypting a user's data, so I would not use it, no matter how nice it looks.
TAS is much more useful than an Outlook plugin as it allows users to use any desktop/cloud application
Rexdesktop needs a major update, fast, but TMX/IMX are quite good apps to purely manage tasks, not projects.
For projects, a user should use a proper PM software that will assign tasks to the user via email (could be MLA).
TMX/IMX need sync, templates and deeper paths, so that users can customize the apps to their liking.

[mfurze]

For me there are two things that are essential in the near term for TMX:

1. Sub-Folders - Just the one level further is enough - I run many small projects at once, big desktop project management software is overkill, and TMX is not enough.
2. A workable, fast RexDesk

I am sure like everyone else I'll want more. But for now, these two would be way up the top of the list.

There seems to be no definitive communication on the direction and the timing for Rex at the moment, I think they really need to put a stake in the sand, discussions on Rexdesk 2.0 etc etc have been ongoing for years (and I don't thing that is much of an exaggeration).......

I have downloaded MLO and will also look at the BB offering when available.

[bfisher]

I think I agree 100% with everything Jens says above

[DaBlackberryBoy]

I wonder when Rex will respond to this thread.

[REX.bob]

As many people know, we are working on the next REXdesktop to address many of the concerns about the current, not modern enough, REXdesktop. This project has been taking us longer than expected and it is clear that people are impatient. It is difficult for us to answer specific items like subfolders until we have REXdesktop 2.0, the big rock on our agenda, out and running.

There is little in this thread that we disagree with, and we would anticipate many of the items mentioned to be released over time. But it seems like many people want a date now, etched in granite. Software development is not like Walmart, opening its 5,000th store, repeating a tried and true formula that was developed over the previous 4,999 stores. Software development is by definition, lots of new invention, and new invention tends to run into a multitude of surprises and inevitable delays. Such "set in granite" dates always result in torpedo'ing the company, because it then winds up with 3 choices:
a) a missed date and everyone is angry (because the date was set in granite, after all)
b) an unstable release is launched, that invariably causes reliability and data corruption issues, or
c) the mass deletion of some features that are not fully done, which makes the new release seem not-right.
The only time something comes out on time is when the date is set after several rounds of beta testing is well underway.

We obviously want to and will release the new REXdesktop version as soon as possible - its not like we are sitting around hoping to disappoint our customers. But, we won't release it until it is working well, both from a stability and security perspective, and from a user-functionality perspective.

In the middle of this effort and our delays, we hope that people consider and realize that task management is best on wireless devices, so that it is always available to you, not just when the PC is booted at your desk. If a person wants desk-based task management, there are a multitude of options. We plan to offer a great desktop solution, but we will still maintain that task management is best if it is smart-phone first.

Regards,

Bob
REXwireless Support Center

[DaBlackberryBoy]

As many people know, we are working on the next REXdesktop to address many of the concerns about the current, not modern enough, REXdesktop. This project has been taking us longer than expected and it is clear that people are impatient. It is difficult for us to answer specific items like subfolders until we have REXdesktop 2.0, the big rock on our agenda, out and running.

There is little in this thread that we disagree with, and we would anticipate many of the items mentioned to be released over time. But it seems like many people want a date now, etched in granite. Software development is not like Walmart, opening its 5,000th store, repeating a tried and true formula that was developed over the previous 4,999 stores. Software development is by definition, lots of new invention, and new invention tends to run into a multitude of surprises and inevitable delays. Such "set in granite" dates always result in torpedo'ing the company, because it then winds up with 3 choices:
a) a missed date and everyone is angry (because the date was set in granite, after all)
b) an unstable release is launched, that invariably causes reliability and data corruption issues, or
c) the mass deletion of some features that are not fully done, which makes the new release seem not-right.
The only time something comes out on time is when the date is set after several rounds of beta testing is well underway.

We obviously want to and will release the new REXdesktop version as soon as possible - its not like we are sitting around hoping to disappoint our customers. But, we won't release it until it is working well, both from a stability and security perspective, and from a user-functionality perspective.

In the middle of this effort and our delays, we hope that people consider and realize that task management is best on wireless devices, so that it is always available to you, not just when the PC is booted at your desk. If a person wants desk-based task management, there are a multitude of options. We plan to offer a great desktop solution, but we will still maintain that task management is best if it is smart-phone first.

Regards,

Bob
REXwireless Support Center

Bob,

I think everyone agrees with your comments as do I, except for one.

I too am a programmer and wish that I could not be held to dates. My customers and clients are flexible on dates but want a forecast - they pay for that and they are owed that. No one doubts what Rex can do at all, but roadmaps, high level views, some kind of communication on a steady and constant basis is what they are after.

We can see RexDesktop is at the top of your list and I know we all appreciate that update. Just keep them coming a little more often. More information means less frustration my friend! Remember that. That's my motto!

[Jens]

DaBBBoy is completely right.

I do not expect REXwireless to announce a releaseplan like
03/01/2010 11:03:55 Rexdesktop 2.12 Build 12 BETA
05/06/2010 07:03:55 Rexdesktop 2.12 Build 23 RELEASE
'cause this information is not interesting for me

But a feature roadmap gives confidence that something is happening and if its only on a rough timeline like Q2/2010, Q4/2010.
Communicated propperly the community understands that its only a rough plan that may be subject of change.
Also the community can see if and how its input made its way to the roadmap.

Currently it feels like be in a closed room that is getting slowly smaller and smaller and Rex is saying: "well, behind the massive walls we are working on a passage out"
It would feel better to see the passage albeith its entrance is blocked by bars. Rex saying: "well, you see the passage, you see a big room at its end, we'll blow away those bars soon" - definitely would feel better

[SVF]

SEE TITLE = Always has been.
So how is REX doing so far; can we anticipate (expect) continued peformance.
Is Security and Reliability important,
Does the platform meet and/or enhance our human capacities,
Are the components integrated and improve the process efficiently,
Will the development be responsive and evolve,
Can this be Sustained and Maintained NOW- probaly not.
So what do I want.
REX Desk- yeah sure, never use it and honestly don't need it.
TAS- Hmmm... nah, Outlook Tasks is like a good pair of flip flops and pretty useless.
Folders,Folders,Folders- for the love of Pete how may boxes do we need, perhaps a bit of top level organization would help.
Templates- intriguing, no intelligent opinion from me yet.
GUI- color me purple with 6 shades of grey so I can see without study (not really). Just a few will do.
MEMO- please complete by end of week and I'll check back tomorrow for progress.

-Competition is not the question we should ask rather what kind of race do we run. REX has and I expect will be 'Very Good for ME'.

[DaBlackberryBoy]

SEE TITLE = Always has been.
So how is REX doing so far; can we anticipate (expect) continued peformance.
Is Security and Reliability important,
Does the platform meet and/or enhance our human capacities,
Are the components integrated and improve the process efficiently,
Will the development be responsive and evolve,
Can this be Sustained and Maintained NOW- probaly not.
So what do I want.
REX Desk- yeah sure, never use it and honestly don't need it.
TAS- Hmmm... nah, Outlook Tasks is like a good pair of flip flops and pretty useless.
Folders,Folders,Folders- for the love of Pete how may boxes do we need, perhaps a bit of top level organization would help.
Templates- intriguing, no intelligent opinion from me yet.
GUI- color me purple with 6 shades of grey so I can see without study (not really). Just a few will do.
MEMO- please complete by end of week and I'll check back tomorrow for progress.

-Competition is not the question we should ask rather what kind of race do we run. REX has and I expect will be 'Very Good for ME'.

To each their own. Rex does not fit my needs right now but I HOPE that they can.

[DaBlackberryBoy]

http://www.blackberryforums.com/afterma ... ost1633211

[Fallen]

DaBBBoy :

Jumping ship to MLO?

I love the Rexwireless has made the complicated so simplistic and straightforward - and in the palm of my hands. I don't have any issues per say with TDM or IDM (I use them both daily, in addition to RexConnect). My slight concern has been RexDesktop and how unimpressive it is. Rather than do small visual enhancements for the time being (say, Rexdesktop 1.5?), this periodic "we can't set a date because software development is not like opening a Walmart" for over a year is becoming a tad tiresome.

A screenshot? I BETA date? Something?

MLO and other alternatives are advancing while you guys are "working on it" with no real updates for some time. Check the price difference between their products and yours. I have no problem paying (and have) for your quality... But, you have to keep it up to date.

Cheers

[DaBlackberryBoy]

DaBBBoy :

Jumping ship to MLO?

I love the Rexwireless has made the complicated so simplistic and straightforward - and in the palm of my hands. I don't have any issues per say with TDM or IDM (I use them both daily, in addition to RexConnect). My slight concern has been RexDesktop and how unimpressive it is. Rather than do small visual enhancements for the time being (say, Rexdesktop 1.5?), this periodic "we can't set a date because software development is not like opening a Walmart" for over a year is becoming a tad tiresome.

A screenshot? I BETA date? Something?

MLO and other alternatives are advancing while you guys are "working on it" with no real updates for some time. Check the price difference between their products and yours. I have no problem paying (and have) for your quality... But, you have to keep it up to date.

Cheers

Not jumping ship but want Rex to see that they are being passed by. Other vendors are getting that word out fast and quick, I just hope that they (Rex) can do the same. They have a loyal base but some of us are wondering with the halt on blackberry development for the iPhone and other development. But we all gott a eat and I understand that too! So what to do, what to do?...