I made an all-in-one desktop app with a no-BS approach to get work done
Hi HN! This is Daniel from Floutwork (https://www.floutwork.com)Floutwork is an all-in-one desktop app designed to serve as a personal work system, offering a no-BS approach to getting real work done online.Background: When I transitioned from a development role to a product management role, I realized there was no real organization or structure to the way I worked as a PM. Tasks I needed to complete were scattered across emails, Teams, meetings, etc. I was inundated with emails and found myself juggling multiple browser windows, numerous open tabs, and other desktop applications. This overwhelming situation made it clear that success in my new role hinged on being self-organized and focused. After reading the book "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, I recognized that my work habits were counterproductive to accomplishing meaningful work. After that, I delved further into the "focus and productivity" path, read more books on the subject, and decided to integrate these concepts and methodologies into a single app. I could have created a specialized tool that addressed only one or two problems, like many other apps out there, but I knew that building a single app designed to assist with the workflow from start to finish was the only way to eliminate as many distractions and friction points as possible. Honestly, I could've wrapped up development way sooner if I'd just tackled one issue. But what's the point if one part of my workflow rocks and the rest sucks?What's the problem with modern work? You might be using a combination of a task manager and a calendar to track tasks. To work on a task, though, you probably bounce to your browser full of tabs. If you use desktop apps like Teams, Slack, or Discord, this bouncing back and forth becomes even worse because every link you click on opens in the browser. The real problem is when we jump to a browser full of tabs every time, we get distracted by all the tabs and get sidetracked, or our old habits kick in due to how our brains are now wired, and we start aimlessly browsing. This causes a lot of friction in our flow. This is one of the main reasons why people today are not able to focus or don't feel motivated to get work done. What usually takes 1 hour to complete can take up to 3 hours.What's unique about Floutwork? Floutwork has an excellent task management system and a calendar view right next to it to intelligently show you when you can work on your tasks amidst your busy schedule. However, it goes beyond that and lets you pin your work apps right within Floutwork. Once you know you need to work on a task, you can quickly hop on to your web apps right within Floutwork and get that done, and then repeat. Every time you access a web app within Floutwork, any tabs you open within that app stay within that app, so you only get to see the tabs to get your current task done. This powerful flow cuts down all the distractions and friction points that come between tasks and work getting done.Now that all your work can be consolidated into one unified system, you can access powerful tools in a distraction-free way to:- Monitor your work habits- Gamify your tasks- Experience an immersive focus mode for tasks- Open a command bar without losing your flow to open apps, links, tools, add tasks, ask ChatGPT, etc.- Quickly take work notes in context- Clean out your emails with a few clicks- Access AI tools via ChatGPT meaningfully right within your flowThis app is designed for people in roles like PMs, freelancers, managers, admins, and marketers, where being self-organized online is crucial for success. I know the HN community has a lot of developers. While this app can offer some benefits to devs, it won't be a game-changer for your workflow, especially if you're primarily in VS Code or other desktop development tools most of the day.I'd love to invite you all to try out the product and would appreciate hearing your feedback!
Users are intrigued by the Show HN product's concept of organizing workflow with features like per-app tabs and task-based organization, comparing it to existing solutions like Emacs, Obsidian, and Logseq. Concerns include Linux support, integration with existing platforms, and the subscription pricing model. The app's requirement for an account and admin permissions, as well as a broken website link, were criticized. Some users are excited about the potential for improved productivity, while others prefer a modular approach or are skeptical about the app's distinctiveness. The name 'flout work' sparked discussion, and there's interest in a Linux version and a trial without credit card requirements.
The product faces criticism for requiring too much initial buy-in and being unsuitable for programming, with a complex and unclear value proposition. Users find the workspace and tab management overdone and lacking novelty, with no Linux support and sluggish performance. The need for an account, admin permissions, and a subscription fee are also concerns. The app is compared unfavorably to existing tools like Emacs, and its Electron base is criticized for resource usage. Privacy policy errors and a confusing name add to the negative feedback. Users suggest it lacks distinct features and collaborative capabilities, and question the desktop app choice over web alternatives.
