Loafer

In case you’re using a computer as the main tool to perform your activities, you might as well make the most out of it. For instance, you can rely on specialized applications like Loafer to set up multiple projects, each with its own set of tasks, add timers, and even track income based on time spent on each item.

The first time you run the application you’re asked to specify a save location for your new project. This can be changed later on, but it’s good to export to a location you don’t forget. As far as the visual design goes, the layout is structured in several panes, with a pair for projects and tasks, as well as a large section to show active tasks.

A task can’t be created until a project is added. Both have similar creation requirements, such as name, client, description, rate, currency, and whether or not the item is paid and hidden. These are shown in the corresponding sections, with details regarding name and time spent. Items only show up in the large section when started.

The application adds a couple of tray icons so you can easily start and stop counting. What’s more, a detailed prompt shows up when hovering the cursor over either of the two icons to show info on active tasks, and this includes hourly rate, current task, time spent, as well as total task and project time and cost.

Although time adds up automatically while tasks run, you also have full control over values. Interacting with an active task makes it possible to specify the start and end dates, add notes, toggle payment, as well as field for the total amount of time spent. Later on you can generate custom reports.

Bottom line is that time and project management are a couple of essential activities in any domain of work. Loafer delivers a powerful set of tools with which to set up a project and divide it into multiple tasks you track both in terms of time and cost.