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packrat posts

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

Backboard gives Backpack some Macintosh style

by Dave Caolo (RSS feed) on Feb 6th, 2008

Backpack by 37signals is a terrific online organization and collaboration tool (we've written about Backpack many times). Those wanting a desktop application that works with Backpack have used the popular Packrat. This week, Lars Steiger has offered a solution with more Macintosh style, called Backboard.

Aside from a Mac-like appearance, Backboard also adds a few features to Backpack, like the ability to attach dates and priorities, support for multiple accounts and a nice overview of tasks.

Backboard is currently in private beta, but if you ask nicely, perhaps Lars will put you in the queue.

[Via 37signals' product blog]

Tags: 37signals, backboard, backpack, packrat, productivity, software

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Cool tools, Productivity, Beta Beat

Beta Beat: Packrat developer seeks beta users

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Sep 28th, 2007

Rod over at Infinite NIL is looking to test the latest version of Packrat (the offline client for Backpack, 37 Signals' online organization software), and if you turn out to be a "useful" tester, there could be a free license in it for you.

The new version will synch right up with the latest build of Backpack, and Rod says that it will now display your data from Backpack in the same order inside Packrat, a feature much called-for by its users. There's no release date on the new version, obviously, yet, but if you jump in as a beta tester and get issues noticed and fixed, we could be looking at it sooner than later.

Rod's email is over on the site. Drop him a line and be as helpful as you can-- he's offering free license to folks who help him even out the seams in the new software.

Tags: backpack, beta, packrat

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools, Deals

PackRat 40% off at MacUpdate Promo today only

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Aug 7th, 2007



My favorite offline synching client for Backpack, the web-based personal information manager, is 40% off today at MacUpdate Promo. Whether you toss a few snippets of your daily information into Backpack or you're a heavy user with 20+ pages for all your projects, PackRat is a killer desktop client that allows you to work with your Backpack information while offline, then synchronize it all once you get back on. PackRat even offers a number of features that Backpack doesn't, such as deleting all completed items at once, a visual calendar when creating reminders and AppleScript / Automator support and more.

I have to admit, while I was happy to buy a license at $24.95, I've always thought PackRat's price would hit home with a lot more customers at $15. If you agree, today's your chance - the MacUpdate Promo 40% off sale for PackRat places it right at $14.95, making it an even better deal for Backpack users.

Tags: Backpack, MacUpdate Promo, MacupdatePromo, PackRat

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat 1.3 supports new Backpack, adds more exclusive features

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jul 30th, 2007



Backpack, the fantastic online PIM from 37signals, was recently updated with some solid new features like drag-and-dropping items from one page to another and the ability to reorder items any way you chose on a page (i.e. - lists and notes no longer have to be lumped together in their own sections). As with any web app update, desktop apps that integrate must often release an update of their own to stay on top of the changes. Fortunately, Rod Schmidt has done exactly that with his excellent offline synching PackRat app that brings Backpack to your desktop. With v1.3, Rod has updated PackRat so it can work with the new Backpack, but he has also introduced yet more exclusive features that keep making PackRat even more useful than its web-based symbiote, such as:
  • The reminder sheet now has a calendar on it to make entering dates easier.
  • A New Reminder toolbar button
  • An 'In minutes from now' option for reminders.
  • Shared pages now have a shared icon in the pages list so you can easily see what pages are shared.
  • An Upload Changes command and toolbar button to quick upload your changes to Backpack without waiting for auto upload to kick in.
Unfortunately, a few of the Backpack updates - such as reordering items anywhere on the page - haven't made it into PackRat simply because 37signals doesn't allow external applications to do this through their API. Rod urges users to contact 37signals and request this ability, and hopefully in time the company will listen and open up this functionality. Other new Backpack features like search are probably coming with a future PackRat update.

As with the the recent change to PackRat's trial period, a 30-day demo is available, while a license costs a mere $24.95.

Tags: backpack, organization, packrat, pim, todos, web apps, WebApps

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat 1.2: Backpack client adds better list management and a new trial period

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jul 14th, 2007



Going on vacation to see your just-born nephew and family will do funny things to you, like missing a handy update to a dear, dear application. Rod Schmidt's PackRat, the killer desktop client for the online PIM Backpack that we've mentioned once or twice, has been updated to v1.2 with some great new list management features. First up is yet another feature even Backpack itself doesn't have: a new 'Delete all completed items' option that appears below lists with items you've checked off. Second is another PackRat-only feature: condensing of your completed items. Instead of allowing checked items to take up more room than they should below a list, PackRat will automatically hide them and only reveal the top 5, with the option to reveal all just in case you need to double-check or recover a few.

In addition, Rod has also switched to a 30 day trial period (instead of limiting to only 4 usable PackRat pages), after which PackRat will restrict access to 5 pages until the user purchases a license. At $24.95, PackRat is an easy purchase for anyone who needs a powerful, feature-packed offline and synching client for 37signal's exception Backpack service.

Tags: backpack, GTD, items, lists, management, packrat, productivity, tasks

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat 1.1 adds AppleScript and Automator support

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Apr 11th, 2007

Someone must have answered Rod Schmidt's call for AppleScripters, as he has just released PackRat 1.1, a major update to his offline Backpack syncing app that brings double-whammy support for both AppleScript and Automator. You can now get almost all your Backpack data via script, which means power users can do all sorts of extra-cool nerdy things now. A 'Synchronize with Backpack' Automator action is also included, offering easy access for the rest of us to set up auto-downloads in the morning or before we leave for a trip (hint: run the action as an app attached to an iCal event).

Check out Rod's announcement post for more details and to download a copy of the new PackRat version. As usual, PackRat will function as a non-expiring demo that allows working with 4 pages, while a license costs $24.95.

Tags: applescript, automator, packrat, rod schmidt, RodSchmidt, script, scripting, support

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat dev calls for AppleScripters

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Mar 25th, 2007

Rod Schmidt, developer of PackRat, has issued a call for AppleScripters who are interested in automating his rocking Backpack client. PackRat, to my knowledge, doesn't have AppleScript support yet, but that does seem to be at the top of the request list and would mark another powerful feature PackRat has over Backpack's own web UI: OS integration. I would love to be able to, for example, right-click some selected text in a Cocoa app and click "Send to PackRat," which would then sync up to Backpack all without me ever having to touch an actual webpage.

If you have some AppleScripting skills and are interesting in making PackRat even cooler, be sure to drop Rod a line by heading over to his announcement post or contacting him from his company's site, infiniteNIL.

Tags: applescript, backpack, infiniteNIL, packrat, rod schmitd, RodSchmitd, scripting, scripts

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat goes 1.0

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jan 29th, 2007

PackRat, the killer syncing and offline Backpack client that does even more than Backpack itself, has reached an official 1.0 status. After more than a year in the oven, developer Rod Schmidt posted an understandably excited announcement on his company's blog, complete with some new features that round out PackRat's abilities. New in v1.0 are Growl reminder notifications, printing pages as well as searching them (via the Find command), a revamped 'add item' dialog, contextual menus and a full-on Help file. Of course, you can't forget about features that are already baked in, like Reminder creation, re-ordering items within and between lists on a page and automatic syncing.

As a thoroughly satisfied customer, I highly recommend PackRat if you've been looking for a way to take your Backpack account with you. A fully-functioning demo limits you to editing 4 pages is available, while a license costs $24.95 from infiniteNIL.

Tags: backpack, packrat, sync, syncing

Filed under: Software

PackRat author solicits software feature requests

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Dec 18th, 2006

On Sunday, software developer Rod Schmidt, author of PackRat, the Backpack service client, posted a request on his blog. He's interested in creating a PackRat-like client for project collaboration tool Basecamp. PackRat, if you recall, is an OS X tool that lets you work offline on your Backpack data. Schmidt is looking for feedback and suggestions for a similar Basecamp client. He writes, "I think this product has even more potential than PackRat and I'd love to get some feedback." If you have some ideas, pop by his webpage and leave a comment.

Tags: Backpack, Basecamp, PackRat, Rod Schmidt, RodSchmidt

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

PackRat 0.94 introduces Backpack reminder editing

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2006


Rod Schmidt has released an update to PackRat, quite possibly the only offline Backpack client, that brings a major new and much-requested feature: the ability to add, edit and delete reminders. Now I've mentioned PackRat once or twice before here at TUAW, and this rockin' new feature almost completely rounds out what I think is the killer offline and syncing app for working with Backpack. About the only thing missing now is calendar editing, and in a blog post announcing this latest version (0.94 to be exact), Rod and gang offer a glimpse of PackRat's future, with a promise to take your Backpack data into a realm of Mac OS X integration that 37Signals could never accomplish (due to their service being 100% web-based). Coming down the pipeline are features like Spotlight and AppleScript support, Address Book and iCal integration, iPod syncing, and "whatever else makes sense." Sounds like this handy little app is in for quite a ride.

PackRat has a fully-functioning, non-expiring demo that allows you to edit up 4 pages of your Backpack info (the free default Backpack account offers 5 pages), while a license costs a mere $24.95 which unlocks full editing of all pages in any of the paid accounts that offer more pages.

Tags: backpack, backpackit, edit, editing, offline, packrat, sync, syncing

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

Packrat v0.91 now does list reordering

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Oct 14th, 2006

Packrat, for those not in the know, is the only full-fledged Backpack desktop client I've ever seen, and it's especially killer because it does offline editing for all your Backpack items and pages. Its developer, Rod Schmidt, just added a key new feature that's been on everyone's request list, including mine: list reordering. This new v0.91 has a simple keyboard shortcut (cmd-r) which presents a sheet with any and all lists on a page, offering drag-and-drop reordering goodness.

Packrat is a Universal Binary and available from infiniteNIL Software for a mere $24.95. A free demo allowing the first 4 pages of your Backpack account is also available.

Tags: backpack, packrat, productivity, services, web 2.0, Web2.0

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

Packrat 0.87 released with page link editing, creation

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Aug 4th, 2006

Packrat, an offline Backpack client that I just can't say enough about, has been updated to version 0.87. Though it is another minor version point update, it features the ability to edit links, including dragging one page onto another to create a link. With all its other abilities of editing pages, tags, lists, and notes, as well as being able to create new lists and notes, Packrat is becoming a more powerful client by the day.

Packrat is a Universal Binary, with a demo available, while a licenses costs $24.95.

Tags: backpack, client, information, offline, packrat, PIM, productivity

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

New Packrat version adds true list and note creation

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jun 5th, 2006


A new Packrat version (version 0.84 build 220) has enabled 100% edit-ability of lists and notes on pages, including the create of new lists and notes on pages that previously had none. To facilitate this, a new 'Action' button has been added to Packrat's toolbar, containing 'create new note/list' commands for your productivity pleasure.

To find out more about the update, check the blog of Rod Schmidt, Packrat's developer.

Tags: backpack, client, edit, editing, list, lists, note, notes, offline, online, Packrat, page, pages, sync

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

Packrat update brings more Backpack editing, bug fixes

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on May 31st, 2006


Packrat, the offline editing and syncing client for Backpack, has been updated to version 0.83 build #206 (I know, it isn't as pretty as 'Packrat 2.0', but you'll live). More editing abilities have been added, as you can now delete emails you have sent to Backpack pages, edit the page title and body and rename pages simply by double-clicking them in the page list on the left. For more details of what's new and fixed, check out Rod Schmidt's blog (the developer).

A demo that allows you to view and edit four of your Backpack pages is available, while a full license will cost you $24.95 from infiniteNIL Software.

Tags: Backpack, edit, feature, features, Packrat, page, sync, update, updates

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

Packrat can now edit Backpack notes, too

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on May 10th, 2006


I don't mean to post an update every time the developer of Packrat sneezes, but this one is for those anxiously waiting for editing functionality (including when offline) with their Backpack account. I just noticed on Packrat's product page that the feature list now says: "New: edit your lists and notes." Sure enough, it works just like the lists update I mentioned a week ago.

Packrat offers a free demo, and a license will run you a mere $24.95.

Tags: Backpack, collect, edit, editing, feature, function, functionality, information, list, lists, note, notes, Packrat

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