Scott has been working as an Electrical/Software engineer for almost 8 years. Scott, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, will be graduating with a masters degree in Computer Science spring 2009. Smart To-Do List was started as a mISV project toward the end of 2007, released May 2008. Scott also started a blog to round out his mISV efforts last september, available at: http://www.smartproductivity.com
What got you started on the todo list, are you a GTD guy? Just seemed like a good idea?
I started getting interested in GTD a few years ago after reading some posts on Lifehacker.com. I picked up the Getting Things Done book and became pretty hooked on most of the techniques used in the book.
I've been developing software for my day job for almost 8 years now and I thought it would be nice if I could make some extra cash at home by making some simple applications. I had tried out several to-do list applications but I could never find one that was simple to use and didn't look like a Windows 95 application. Most of the to-do list applications out there have so many options when all you want to do is add some tasks to a list. I've seen quite a few apps that will have 7 or 8 fields just to create a new item. I wanted to make a to-do list application that was so easy that you would actually use it. This is why I created Smart To-Do List.
What makes Smart To-Do List different?
I've been developing software for my day job for almost 8 years now and I thought it would be nice if I could make some extra cash at home by making some simple applications. I had tried out several to-do list applications but I could never find one that was simple to use and didn't look like a Windows 95 application. Most of the to-do list applications out there have so many options when all you want to do is add some tasks to a list. I've seen quite a few apps that will have 7 or 8 fields just to create a new item. I wanted to make a to-do list application that was so easy that you would actually use it. This is why I created Smart To-Do List.
Smart To-Do List simply has two input fields: a to-do / command box and a tag field. The to-do / command box allows you to interact with the lists without ever having to touch the mouse. Basically anything that can be done with the mouse in my software can also be done from the keyboard. The simplicity doesn't mean it isnt' powerful though, you can still tag, filter, prioritize, and export the data.
Has the blog really helped? Has it changed any of your ideas about who your customers are and what they are looking for?
The blog has helped somewhat. It gives me an easy outlet to post updates and to receive feedback on those updates from customers.
I believe once I'm out of graduate school and have more free time I'll be able to use the blog more effectively. Full time work + wife + two kids + grad school = not much free time!
Thanks for taking time to talk with me Scott,