rcos summer 2011

1. AutoScheduler
Peter Wakefield
Anthony Onwuasoanya

2. Overview
● What is AutoScheduler?
● Existing Software
● Distinguishing Features
● Development Priorities
● Future Possibilities

3. What is AutoScheduler? (Part 1)
● Time management add-on for Firefox
● Allocate & track time use rather than simply
storing a list/calendar created by the user
● Assumes nothing about organizational skills
● Can take responsibility for managing time entirely
● Doesn't require an account on a third party server
○ Convenience
○ Privacy

4. What is AutoScheduler? (Part 2)
● Tracks as much or as little as the user wishes
● Builds time management skills through feedback
○ Estimated time vs. actual
○ "Fun" interspersed with "work" -> Anti-
procrastination behavioral modification
● Customizable scheduling and UI behaviors
● "Organizer for the Disorganized"
● Integrates with the browser to combat and
harness aimless browsing / Internet addiction

5. So much time management software...
● Toodledo - Requires third party account
● ReminderFox - Lacks flexibility, time management, and
browsing control integration
● TimeTracker - Simple, outdated Firefox browsing timer...
with 800k downloads
● MeeTimer - Browsing type timer only; also out of date
● Tracks - Former RCOS project, requires server setup
● Many more ...
...so many drawbacks.

6. Life Balance: Very similar idea, but more abstract

7. Life Balance
● Goal-oriented
● Tree view for goals and subtasks
● Manages tasks and aims for good ratios of time utilization
● Generates a ToDo list based on locations and deadlines

8. ReminderFox: Simple. Effective. Different purpose.

9. ReminderFox
● Good Firefox add-on...for simple notifications
● Tracks ToDo and Reminder entries
● Useful, straightforward, but somewhat rigid interface
● Similar yet different purpose
● More of a memory aid than time management

10. LeechBlock: Blocks time-wasting sites

11. LeechBlock
● Blocks access to distracting sites
● Up to 6 groups of sites with shared blocking properties
● Restricts access to groups
○ During scheduled times
○ After X% of Y time spent on distraction

12. What Makes AutoScheduler Unique?
● More than just a
memory aid
● Serves as a time
management application
built into your browser
● Uses knowledge of
tasks and time
allocation to regulate
browsing

13. Categories Restricting Conditions
|
Goals ● Start time
| ● End time
Projects ● Interruptibility
| ● Prerequisite tasks
Tasks ● Required time
| ● Etc.
Subtasks
Properties
All aliases for the same ● Creation time
structure of entries, ● Priority
simply with different ● Recurrence
relationships and used ● Misc. Etc. (customized on a
properties. task-type basis)
AutoScheduler Task Representation

14. Interface Ideas
● Minimal impact on screen space: Button(s) on existing
toolbar
● Expanding tree view similar to Life Balance
● Simple text field for entry creation
● Keywords for quick type selection
● Property fields visible based on type of entry

15. Development Priorities
● Create database schema and storage methods
○ Using Firefox's built-in SQLite
● Interface for adding and managing tasks
● Automated scheduling
● Expand interface to allow browser control
● Browser context switching (Panorama?)
● Future possibilities as able

16. Future Possibilities
● Integration with other organizers, e.g. Google Calendar
● Gamification
● Mobile version
○ Different UI requirements
○ Could use Firefox Sync
● Multiple person/shared scheduling

17. Gamification
Extend and improve the educational aspect:
● Track user statistics
○ Tasks completed
○ Time spent on tasks
○ Time spent on play
● Achievements and bonuses for completing tasks
● Automatically assign rewards
● Prompt the user to switch between work and play
● Motivate user to become organized
● Train user to become more productive

18. Questions?