Any chance of including a full feature email client into CD? Or maybe something like Google G-Mail as a plug in to CD. Earl

We do not have any specific plans to integrate a email client. Although we continue to try to integrate email as a vehicle for getting things into and out of Central Desktop (as you can see with email enabled discussion threads, task creation via email, task update requests, email digests, email files into file folders, etc...).

Thanks for the response, Arnulf. However, when an email is sent from within CD, is the respose captured in the related area - viz task, file folder, etc? Also, is there a way to create a poll/survey in CD? Earl

Only discussions is captured this way right now. Task comments can be communicated using the form built into the email (so tasks sort of works this way). Files do not, but this is part of the "workflow" for file manager improvement we have planned for end of January. We are definately headed in this direction. Also, polling is something we do not have right now, we are tying to figure out the best way to do this. Its a popular request, so just know its on our minds.

Hi Arnulf, As a temporary workaround, I'm trying to create a poll using a database. However, can't seem to increase the size of a field name ( so I can input a question). Haven't figured out what to do about tabulation though. Alternatively, I can link vistors to an external poll software like surveymonkey. But then I think I would lose out on the integration in CD. Your thoughts?

You should probably use surveymonkey or another survey tool for now as your best alternative. We will increase the field length of the database in the near future for you. We also have plans to do a lot more with the database feature this year.

We are currently on the Company 1 plan and our biggest complaint with CD is the lack of offline capability. I hope this gets on the roadmap soon.

We recognize offline capability is important and is something we want to offer. We are evaluating the options here.

I'm curious, what is open ID support?

Open ID is a distributed identity system (think Microsoft Passport without the Microsoft part) that basically allows you to use a single username/password to login to multiple systems. Here is a nice video describing the benefits and how it works: http://simonwillison.net/2006/openid-screencast/

I thought improved discussions layout and navigation was coming in the next release but I couldn't see it here in the roadmap...?

Online docs, files and discussions are merging. Discussion layout will also be available as "forum view" or "blog view". Hope that clears it up.

Thanks for publishing the roadmap here -- it's really helpful to understand what's coming. Compared to other companies with "37" in their names, your transparency on upcoming features is refreshing.

Great software. We use it as managementsystem. Can you explain a little about ´Merging of Online Documents, Files and Discussions´. Thanks.

Basically the merging of Online Documents, Files and Discussions just means that a single file folder will be able to contain any of these activities. We noticed a lot of people were creating redundant folders beneath Online Docs, Discussions, and Files. Because in the end these are all similar and hold "information" that can be discussed and commented on.

Hi there,  What is the status of the following feature request... (especially for calendaring)?

In previous development discussions I (and others) have inquired about tagging. Any news on that front now? Also, I wanted to follow up on another request: user mark ups being visible within various documents (kind of like Outlook's review feature). As I earlier commented, if CD is to be truly collaborative it would help to know what footprints others in your workspace have left prior to your own modifications to docs (and the revision history doesn't really cut it in this regard). Thanks, Jon. 

Offline functionality: something we are exploring.  No eta has been set at this point.

Tagging: Also still exploring.  We have some other modifications we are making first that may address this better.

User Markup within a Document: This is a complicated feature, but something we recognize that has value.  We will consider this for a future release.

User Security - this appears to be currently set only at individual Workspace level - it would be ideal to make this more granular by allowing permissions to be set below this as well - e.g. The individual Folders within the Documents area? Then private folders can be setup for individual groups within the workspace. 

Yes we are considering more granular permissions in the near future.   

More granular permissions within the workspace would be a huge improvement.

 

Time tracking (and against estimated time for each task or milestone) would be fabulous - any plans for this?

Yes time tracking is planned for Q1/Q2.

 

You can build your own time tracker today using the database, albeit a bit crude.  A more elegant version is planned for late Q1 / early Q2. 

It would be nice to see how much space each workspace is using against your total.

Samantha - We already have that today.  Click Account > Manage Workspaces and you can see each workspace, how much it's using and a grand total and percentage used at the bottom.

Hi Arnulf, after having tested different platforms (including Google Sites which has just been launched), CentralDesktop is by far the most intuitive, and easy to use and adopt.

However, we have some speed concerns with the loading of the pages, issue that we don't have on sites like Google Sites (very fast!) or other platforms.

Unfortunately, this is a real brake for heavy usage of ASP/SaaS solutions.

I guess we are not the only one having this issue, and hope you'll be able to do something on this (html code improvement? bandwith? I guess you know more what has to be fixed)

Mike,

Thanks for your comments.  

 

I looked at your clickstream and here are your stats over the past few days:

Avg Server Load Time: 0.4720,   Avg Client Load Time: 2.5304

 

This isn't that bad.  Certain pages are loading slower for you, but generally you are in line.   We are working on more "ajax" / click optimization, we continue to do this over time.

Also, look over the performance guide link below.  If you could answer some of these questions this would be very helpful:

http://cd.centraldesktop.com/adn/CentralDesktopPerformanceGuide

 

You can email the results to support [at] centraldesktop-inc.com so we can analyze the results.

 

Thanks,

Arnulf

Hi Arnulf,

 

Can we expect SQL and custom Form creation capabilities for databases as part of the CD road map?

 

Thanks,

Wicky

Probably not full SQL functionality, but more functions are planned.

 

More form creation is also planned.  Currently if you need "custom" form design i suggest you use our web capture form functionality available on all database currently. 

What is the status of Safari compatibility?

 

Thanks - MH 

 

We absolutely need all three additions -- DB API, Time tracker and Ticket system. These additions would be invaluable.

 

Thanks

 

Amir

What about a mobile version, so I can loginto CD using my pda/smartphone (nokia e90)?

As it's now July - I'm anxious to see an update.  The Ticket System is my big wish list item.  If you are going to put it off I'd like to know so I can make some alternate plans for my near term solution.

This got pushed to mid-July.  Sorry for the delay.  We will release this mid july.

I repeat my mobile version request, see 21 June 2008. It was on the list for january08 but postponed and now I do not see it anymore. What are the plans??  Thanks

Mobile is still there on our internal feature backlog. 

Aside from reprioritizing our roadmap constantly, mobile is an area which is a moving target.  Devices keep getting better and our product keeps improving (which would require parallel improvements to other interfaces).

Mobile version is fully on our radar, and will be working on this in the near future, however no eta has been set at this time.

We do hear you, and we will and are working towards that goal.

 

Thanks.

Edited by: Arnulf Hsu

I second Sarah's comment--a ticketing solution would be very useful for our marketing team's workflow

Ticketing system is coming in 2-3 weeks.  Thanks.

What about time tracking, is it still scheduled to come out this month (July 2008)?

What about Safari compatibility and iPhone 2.0  access, will we get it, if so, when?

 

Thanks,

Rayan

Can you provide a few details about the ticketing solution?  What's considered light weight?  Is it ready yet?

How about the ability to choose which custom (or current system) fields are required when a user registers? 

Our next release is scheduled for end of July.   This will include time tracking.

Safari and iPhone compatibility is something we are considering, but no eta has been set for this yet.

The ticketing solution that is coming is based on our database feature.  It will enable you to enter a ticket, view “My Tickets”, and see a list of all outstanding tickets.  You will also be able to custom define fields (similar to the database feature that is in place today).

There ability to choose which fields are required for the user registration is not yet available, but is something that is on our feature backlog. 

Should I be able to edit this page...because I can?  I assume you are not intending that.

Its a wiki, you can edit the page if you like, however this page is mainly intended to be modified by CD Staff.  

Can you provide any detail on the Workflow/triggers being planned for september?

Workflow will be notification and task creation based to start.  For example it will enable things like:

• if a database record is added with a certain criteria send a notification to a certain user
• if a file is uploaded in a certain folder with a certain status send a notification to a certain user
  
• if a file is uploaded in a certain folder create a task and notify a certain user

etc....