User Interface (was Re: [Design] Human Knowledge Database - Thinking Bigger)

[Stephen R. Melvin]

My apologies.  I had actually intended to lurk a bit longer and follow the threads before I chimed in, but this one comment caught my eye:

> As I mentioned previously, most email interfaces now have a three framed window as the main user interface.  I don't think this is the best way to design email interface.

I've been putting together a list of things that I'd like to see in my PIM (both desktop and handheld) since I first started using Day-Timer Organizer about 5 years ago.  I'm currently using Lotus Organizer.  My biggest complaint with every other organizer application that I've seen with the same functionality is the interface.  They all seem to want to copy Outlook which I do not like.  I like the layout of both DTO and Lotus Organizer which is based upon the old paper organizers.  I'm probably speaking out of turn, but in terms of what is shown on the screen, I'd like to see dockable and customizable windows which each have a specific type of information, rather than a layout which is chosen for me.  Then, if I want to put the todo list on the right instead of the left, of my phone tracker in a popup when I hit a button, or my address book on a separate tab, I can do so.

Hope I haven't reiterated a thread discussed months ago, but as I said, this one caught my eye.  As a side note: I'd also like to figure out how to get the rest of my list into the hands of the actual designers when it's appropriate. 

-Stephen R. Melvin