I work remotely as a contractor, so like most people I keep a notebook near my desk and sign in and out and log the time. When I need to send an invoice I go through my book and add up the time I've worked.
It seems like it would easier and safer to use a program to keep track instead.
I envision a program that could keep track of a list of clients and make it easy to sign in and out of working for them. It could be minimized to the tray and on mouse over tell the time you started, total you've worked, total you've billed, etc.
It could also be like AIM where you set a length of time before you're declared "idle" and logged out, like if you went to check the mail. It could then log back in when you return.
Such a program could also generate invoices automatically or for a given time period.
Anyway, I'm thinking about writing something like this. If anyone has any ideas they want to kick around about other features or whatever, please feel free. If I do write the thing it will be open source.
ideas for a time keeping/billing application
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johnhpus
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Game_Ender
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I would do a search first because at least in Linux this base is partially covered. I know the lastest version of Gnome already has a time tracking application. Here is the page for the app called Project Hamster.
It looks like it does everything you want but generate the invoices. All you have to do is start using Linux, then create some script for processing the output/log files of the program.
It looks like it does everything you want but generate the invoices. All you have to do is start using Linux, then create some script for processing the output/log files of the program.
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reptor
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Yeah I think there is no reason why you should develop such an application by yourself. Other than if you want to learn.
I actually did some research about this sort of thing some years ago when I was planning to start a small business. If you can't find a free program, then I am sure there are quite cheap commercial programs. At least in my country I can get a program made here (which is important because it is localized well) for a reasonable amount of money, I would buy it if I would start a business, instead of developing my own.
I am not talking about a program which "automatically logs in and out" but of a program which can be used to manage a small business.
I actually did some research about this sort of thing some years ago when I was planning to start a small business. If you can't find a free program, then I am sure there are quite cheap commercial programs. At least in my country I can get a program made here (which is important because it is localized well) for a reasonable amount of money, I would buy it if I would start a business, instead of developing my own.
I am not talking about a program which "automatically logs in and out" but of a program which can be used to manage a small business.