Anybody who values their time and has things to get done will usually understand the value of a good task manager. Some people like to use a task list on their computer. Others prefer something web-based. Others prefer the good old-fashioned pen and paper. Whatever your method, the idea is to serve as a replacement for keeping everything in your head. If you keep your todo list in your head, you’re likely to get it all jumbled into a big ball of overwhelm and forget things. Or worse yet, spin your wheels while accomplishing little.

Fruitfultime Task Manger is a Windows-only software solution to the problem. The software covers all the usual bases, including:

• Ability to split tasks into sub-tasks (a necessity for any decent task manager)
• Ability to track progress on any task (not just done or not done)
• Assign tasks to contacts
• Reminders
• Ability to sort tasks
• Free-form notes entry for any task
• Reference into and/or links for any task
• Tagging (yes!)
• Print your task list
• Encrypt your tasks for security
• Portable version for carrying your task list around on your USB thumb drive

I am running a Mac, but I loaded it up into my Windows virtual machine to have a look.

The interface for FruitfulTime is very Outlook-ish so you will have pretty much immediate familiarity with it. Another nice thing is that the application is super light. The size of the EXE file is only 488KB and, yes, it loads super fast.

Using the application is easy, especially once you get used to the keyboard shortcuts. When you don’t need to have your task list in your face, minimizing the window reduces it to a taskbar icon.

There are a few shortcomings to the program that I think could be improved upon:

• There does not seem to be a way to export or otherwise back up your database. The data files are split into multiple XML files inside your user directory (in “Documents and Settings”). You have to hunt for the files. I believe there should be a menu option.
• Changing the status or priority of a task is done by way of a dropdown, but it takes at least 2 clicks to do this because you have to activate the dropdown first (so it appears at all). This is a minor point, but a small interface enhancement that would be nice.
• There were a couple of times when adding a sub-task would simply insert it as a blank with no ability to edit it. I closed the program and re-opened to fix the problem, although I do not know if that was necessary.
• Would be nice if you could use free-form tagging rather than having to set up your tag list ahead of time. This would make it more similar to a web-based application.
• More levels of hierarchy would be nice. Right now you can create sub-tasks, but no tasks beneath that.

These are all fairly minor points and only listed to allow the programmers to perfect the program even further. For me, the ability to export tasks from within the application would be the first thing added.

All in all, FruitfulTime Task Manager is a worthy contender for any Windows user looking to put some order into their day. The program can be used free for 10 days, after which you will need to purchase a license to continue using it (currently $29.99).

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