SlimTimer is a new web based time tracking service that launched this morning. It’s simple, elegant and could prove quite useful. Unlike other services focused on time sheets, SlimTimer works more like a sophisticated stop watch on the web. I’ve been looking for something just like this for awhile now.
The site was built by Richard White, the interface designer for the Kiko Online Calendar, another service we reviewed at launch last August. (Richard did the UI update after our review.)
SlimTimer users click a browser bookmarklet to open a narrow window with one-click time starting and stopping for tasks organized by title. Tasks are organized by tags not folders and users can post comments. Task timers can be shared by either coworkers able to make changes or people who can only view the information. Reports can be organized in a variety of ways and exported in CSV or printer friendly format.
After spending some time in private beta, the site went live today and is actively seeking future feature suggestions. White says he will be offering premium accounts with extra features, possibly including integration with other applications and co-branding. He emphasizes that unlike some systems, he will not place limits on the number of tasks you can track or reports you can run.
sounds cool and interesting
Looks very nice …
Just to clear things up. I had *nothing* to do with the UI on Kiko 1.0 (which is what the review Marshall linked to was of). I’m only responsible for 2.0; what you see on the site now.
Looks really nice, I’ll have to play with it and see if I like it any better than Harvest (which is fantastic, by the way) which I’m using now.
Sweet! I too have been looking for something like this.
And to think he did it without kajillions in VC dough.
@Chris: If it’s not as good, just let me know how and I’ll take care of it.
Looks really cool!
Pretty interesting idea, would be cool to have something like that at the office to use with other coworkers…
@Nick: You can certainly create tasks and share them with your coworkers. I’ll admit that it is annoying if you have a bunch of coworkers that you work on a lot of the same tasks with to have to readd them all for each task. That is one of the top things I aim to fix and if you have any input on solutions please post them on the forum. Thanks.
Seems to work in Bubbles! http://www.3d3r.com/bubbles/
very cool, and a useful idea. what i found unexpected:
when i close the window (rather abruptly I admit), and re-open the pop-up, the elapsed time is lost.
in the list of active timers, the elapsed time is not shown and sorely missed.
its not immeadiately clear that checking the box means the task is completed. my first incliniation was to check the box to make that the active timer.
@Ted: At the risk of sounding really lazy, can you send me a screenshot of it working in bubbles?
@Don: High on the TODO list is making it so that when you load up the timer your total time on tasks from the start of the day are loaded in there. Just to be clear, it won’t keep tracking your time once you close the window (it will stop and save to the server). Were you hoping for the latter?
I’ve had other people mention confusion about whether the checkbox starts the task or not. I probably should bite the bullet and make the links underlined, I would think that would help.
A very nice little application. I am a big fan of the little timer window that will record your time as you work. One thing that it is lacking is the ability to have different sheets/projects although you could use tags to differentiate.
I have been using a web application called Tiktrac for a while now and I like it a lot although it doesn’t allow you to record the time as you work.
@Tom: Tags are going to be the whole basis for how you generate reports, it should be pretty cool and very flexible. I’m still gathering user input before I go forward with a bunch of reporting additions so feel free to opon.
I much prefer time tracker. It has no pop up and much more intuitive interface.
http://www.formassembly.com/time-tracker/
Hmm, for several years our TimeTiger system has offered a web-based To Do window of activities that can be tracked simply by clicking on them.
http://www.timetiger.com
“for several years our TimeTiger system has offered a web-based To Do window”
Except your price ($16 per month??) and slimtimers price (free from the looks of it at least for the basics) is very different.
Just signed up and have the timer window running and I must say I like the simple, minimal interface.
I’ve set up a ‘random browsing’ task to start with to see how much time I waste browsing at the end of the month.
@Jon: Yep what you see now (and probably all the features that will be added in the next few weeks) will always be free.
I’m also going to do my best 37signals impression and keep the interface minimal. Though unlike them I do plan to add features more than yearly
Brand new cadillac: Brand new cadillac
Online car buying: Online car buying