RefreshingApps.com

Remember the Milk is a web application that has been around for a few years now. It’s a free (with Pro option) to-do and task list manager, much like 37Signal’s BackPack web application. If you are in need of a task manager with a difference then check out RTM.

I was unaware that RTM had an API until now. It looks quite comprehensive and although is still in beta (just like the web app) requires an API key and limits requests to 1 per second, it gives you the opportunity to build your own entrance to the RTM services. The overview page has more information.

So on to the RTM-Notifier Adobe AIR app. This is possibly the first AIR app to be built for RTM. The AIR app is very simple in it’s excecution, checking periodically to inform you of how many tasks you are due. Nothing groundbreaking here but hopefully the developer adds more functionality from the API in future releases.

I’m on a Mac and for some reason it took a while to sync my tasks set on the website with the AIR app. Not sure if this was down to the API or the actual app.

This app is very basic so don’t go expecting the same functionality as the webapp. In the words of the developer:

There’s lots more it I’d like to add but this started out just as a way to keep an eye on my tasks, so I thought I’d keep it basic and if people like it I’ll extend it later.

One last item of feedback. The app would not close at all on my Mac, I had to force quit everytime. The author does stress that it is untested on a Mac so hopefully this gets fixed soon.

Design eye

This is another app that uses taskbar / dock right click options to extremes – 20 options in all. Visually it lacks the finesse and refinement that the web app has. It fades out nicely and when shown the tabs float up from the bottom which just appears to be for entertainment value rather than anything functional.

I would have liked a more integrated visual experience with the website although not being an official application that could be a little problematic.

The RTM-Notifier AIR app does consume rather a lot of my desktop space given the amount of info it’s displaying. I would look at building the UI more around the actual list items, reducing the impact of the sidetabs and title graphic. The floating close button is a little strange and can get lost against the background on a busy desktop.

Technical eye

Built using XHTML, CSS and JavaScript. The RTM app utilises both the JQuery and PrototypeJS JavaScript libraries and the Yahoo UI library scripts together with the Remember the Milk API