Repository:
Goodtime-productivity/goodtime
If you really want to get something done at the right time, then you have to get it started as early as possible. The same principle applies in studying, working or just doing anything you wish to archive at a particular time.
If you really want to get good grades in school, then you have to read, irrespective of anything happening around you. If you're at work, and you're given a task to complete, then you know it has to be completed before the closing time. All tasks have to be done despite every distraction.
There are many ways, distraction can be a hindrance while trying to be productive. Although, It can be solved by some awesome digital tools.
I am extremely happy to see how technology is being used to solve real-life issues. I have published different blog posts introducing different digital tools to help anyone track their time. It'd nice if I list a few:
Those are the two awesome digital time and task managing apps I introduced in the past.
Congratulations if you've read those post in the past, and you've found how helpful the tools are. But If not, no worries; because I'm happy to have found another great tool even more powerful one. It doesn't manage only your time, but also distractions.
Time management is an outdated idea. Attention is at the root of all of it. In the age of constant distraction, writing things on your calendar can’t compete with the millions of distractions - Thomas
From the quote above, you can tell that time tracking or management isn't the main issue, but distraction is.
This is why I have written this blog post to introduce Goodtime; a better time and distraction managing tool.
Introduction
Goodtime is a powerful productivity timer designed to keep you focused while you go on a task, keep you away from distraction and lets you take a break. This is the perfect tool I have been searching for to keep me productive always.
Unlike RepeatMe and ATimeTracker, Goodtime provides an option to disable features on an Android device which will get the user distracted while working.
Goodtime is more advanced than the rest of the tools I have used because it's designed to give me a break to relax during my working session.
Goodtime ought to be a tool made available to everyone, which is why I am sad it's only available to Android device users. It'd be nice if it's made available to iOS users.
My Experience
One of the things I look out for before installing any application is its size. I care a lot about an app size because I understand that my storage would be at stake if it's large in size and I don't find the app useful.
Goodtime is indeed in its best app size. It's a lightweight application which only requires 2MB of Storage. I got it installed in a blink of an eye. You can also get it installed from Google playstore.
During the time I was installing it, I was shown three different pictorial and text introduction in summary of how Goodtime would manage my time and distractions. Below are the awesome art explaining how it operates:
I was filled with happiness installing a more advanced tool for better productivity.
I had already known how the interface would look like since it's a time managing app. I wasn't surprised seeing a time counter just after the pictorial explanation.
This is the second time I'm using an app which lets me multitask during installation. A helpful app should always give steps to its users on how to use it during or after Installation. It's even more preferred if it has a help button, which repeatedly shows the steps anytime the user clicks on it.
Goodtime surprised me with the same feature I noticed during my time with NetGuard. I was shown a time counter and at the same time being shown the helpful steps to use it.
As you can see from the image above, there's a text below the counter displaying the steps. The steps can be skipped or stopped by simply using the ok button on the screen or swiping it away.
The counter can be started easily by tapping on it. I also noticed there weren't any ads pop up before or after the counter started. This is a different case with other apps. Ads seem to pop up while they are being used.
The two images above give the differences between Goodtime and Pomodoro Timer (A similar app to Goodtime). Goodtime is neat, for it doesn't display ads during its operation. But Pomodoro Timer gives annoying ads below the counter.
While I was using Goodtime, tracking my time was one of the easiest operations I experienced. Right from the courter interface, swiping up increments the counter by one minute, swiping down restarts the timer and swiping from left to right or vice versa, switches from working time to time break time.
Goodtime has a memory where it records every finished task. This record can easily be cleared by tapping on the memory counter beneath the timer.
Statistical task view is another great feature in Goodtime and Pomodoro timer. Although, their display is different. Goodtime gives more detailed stats of every completed task than Pomodoro Timer. Goodtime also let its user switch from daily, weekly to monthly view. Take a look at their differences.
There are more options from the settings page which proves how powerful Goodtime is. I realized how helpful Goodtime is after I got to the settings page.
From my Introduction paragraph, I made it clear that Goodtime manages both time and distractions.
Yeah! That is right.
Using Goodtime as a tool on my Android device is great. But, notifications can also distract me while I'm on my working session. This was why the developer decided to include an extra option to disable WiFi during a working session. If after enabled, it automatically turns off the Wifi while the working session is running.
The option to disable WiFi is not available Pomodoro Timer. Below are the screenshots showing both settings on both app.
The settings page on Goodtime includes different options to prove that Goodtime is a powerful tool among other similar apps. There's an option to enable immersive fullscreen mode, which can be tested by tapping on an empty screen form the counter interface. Other features are; auto start work or break without user interaction, ability to keep the screen on, and ability to customize notification sounds.
Despite its good features, there are still other pro features which are available for purchase. The list of the pro features are:
- Colored labels
- Timer styles
- Manually add sessions
- Edit completed sessions
- Backup export and import
- Export statistics to CSV
- Screensaver mode
- Themes
- Separate notification sound for work and break
- Insistent notifications
I promise to publish my views on the pro features after I have purchased it. Also, the developer included in the app details that, all future features will be free.
Development Update
The latest version is Goodtime v2.0.6, which was officially released on March 2nd, 2019. He made only two changes which are;
- Updated strings for German and Korean
- explicitly removed SMS and CALL permissions (non-existent in the merged AndroidManifest but incorrectly detected by Google)
Summary
This is the first blog post I am publishing about a tool that manages both time and distraction. I have been able to share my personal experiences while I was installing and recording my work session.
This blog post explains the differences between Goodtime and other similar tools. After reading this post, you'll agree with me, that Goodtime is a powerful and helpful tool.
Lastly, I promised to purchase the pro features and later share my experience as part of this series.
Thank you for reading and see you in the next series.