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EccoPro: Why has nobody developed a clone so far?
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Posted by Tom S.
Sep 4, 2007 at 09:39 AM
Chris Thompson wrote:
>To answer your question, unfortunately there
>aren’t any good free pure outliners for the PC. It’s IMHO not worth imitating much of
>what’s out there. Ecco is good in terms of usability (it’s the data model, not the
>interface, that people find too complex).
I disagree. As a PIM, the interface to Ecco is only as complex as you make it. It works very well as a simple PIM as set up right out of the box. Its notebook functionality has never been duplicated. I’ve heard constant calls for a good Ecco replacement since 1997 and I think many people like the interface.
Just my 2 cents.
Tom S.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Sep 4, 2007 at 12:46 PM
There is a nice little one-pane outliner for Windows called TKOutline:
http://tkoutline.sourceforge.net/wiki/
It is a simple, but useful little outliner without any bells and whistles. Development seems to have stalled, however.
Steve Z.
Posted by Chris Thompson
Sep 4, 2007 at 12:52 PM
I absolutely agree with you Tom. I didn’t mean to imply that the Ecco data model was too complex—in fact, it’s the model of something that was carefully thought out for maximum functionality with minimal complexity—only that the Ecco data model is *perceived* by many as too complex. You only have to read through the Ecco mailing list(s) over the years to see that confusion. The genius of Ecco’s UI is that it hides that complexity well. The notepad metaphor is fantastic, I agree, using tabs to function both as views to the underlying database *or* as freeform outlining pages to less sophisticated users.
I wish the Chandler developers had taken some time to study the elegant Ecco data model early on in their design, rather than developing a baroque data model based on schemas and stamps. All that additional complexity buys them literally nothing.
—Chris
Tom S. wrote:
>
>
>Chris Thompson wrote:
>
>Ecco is good in terms of usability (it’s the data model, not the
>interface, that people find too complex).
>
>I disagree. As a PIM, the interface to
>Ecco is only as complex as you make it. It works very well as a simple PIM as set up right
>out of the box. Its notebook functionality has never been duplicated. I’ve heard
>constant calls for a good Ecco replacement since 1997 and I think many people like the
>interface.
>
>Just my 2 cents.
>
>Tom S.
Posted by Tom S.
Sep 5, 2007 at 06:10 PM
Chris Thompson wrote:
>I wish the Chandler developers had taken some time to
>study the elegant Ecco data model early on in their design, rather than developing a
>baroque data model based on schemas and stamps. All that additional complexity buys
>them literally nothing.
Amen to that. I read “Dreaming in Code” with interest. I downloaded the latest version after I was finished. Interesting concept. Its coming along and I’m still waiting to see what develops but I have to say that it could probably be better. Effectively “stamping” an entry through the use of columns looks to me like a more efficient way to go. But maybe I’ll rethink it when it gets closer to a finished product.
Tom S.
Posted by Mike H
Sep 6, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Pierre at SQLNotes.net is writing a piece of software called SQLNotes which uses ECCO as a jumping-off point for a really nice project. It’s been referenced elsewhere on this site.
It’s in beta testing right now with an integrated calendar and addressbook coming in the next few days. When fully implemented, it will synchronize with Outlook.
Pierre is looking for feedback and ideas about how the outliner should look and behave. From my testing, I think he’ll be the one to pull it off.
Take a look, if you haven’t done so already.
Mike