Abstract: A software tool and method of use are disclosed that enable convenient and rapid selection of columns, rows, or other data groups for presentation on a display by an electronic device. One or more information display regions is provided, and controls such as drop-down lists or buttons are used to select a data group for each location from lists of allowed choices. In this way, a user is not required to select each data group from among all possible choices. In preferred embodiments, data group lists can include a null choice that causes no information to be displayed. In further embodiments, sorting controls enable sorting of associated information display regions, and in some of these embodiments sorting one information display region sorts all the other information display regions correspondingly. In some embodiments, the electronic device communicates with the electronic display over a network or over the internet.

Abstract: A user interface and method of use thereof are disclosed that provide a compact and efficient overview of the status of a plurality of projects by using variable qualities of sub-task elements instead of a time-proportional timeline to indicate whether a sub-task is complete, not due, or overdue. Preferred embodiments present a grid of cells with projects in rows and sub-tasks in columns or vice-versa, and use variable qualities of cells to indicate completeness, time remaining, and/or degrees of lateness. A discrete set or a continuous range of variable qualities can indicate degrees of earliness or lateness, and can be chosen or defined by a user. Embodiments allow a user to input a deadline and/or completion status for a sub-task. In some method embodiments, the software operates on a server and the user interface is presented by a client communicating with the server over a network or the internet.

Abstract: A software tool and method are disclosed for enabling efficient input of data into a form by enabling a user to cause certain fields to be skipped except when needed. The input form includes a plurality of input fields, at least one of which has a corresponding check box or other skip field control. The skip field control enables a user to specify whether or not the corresponding input field will be skipped when the input focus is sequentially advanced, for example by using the tab or enter key. In preferred embodiments, a mouse or other pointing device can be used to select a skipped field when it is needed for input. Some embodiments allow only authorized users to change skip field settings. Skip field controls can apply to groups of input fields, and a hide-skip-field control can be included to hide and reveal the skip field controls.

Abstract: A software tool, device, and method are disclosed for displaying schedule saturation. Schedule saturation indicators on an electronic display provide compact and easily comprehended visual overviews of the schedule saturations of days, weeks, months, etc, without attempting to display hour-by-hour schedule information. For example, a half-red, half-green rectangle can indicate that a day's schedule is half full. Optimal time periods can then be expanded for appointment scheduling. Visual indications of schedule saturation can vary in degree of filling, size, orientation, configuration, location, marking density, shading, color hue, and color intensity.

Abstract: A software user interface applicable to project tracking software and a method of use thereof is disclosed that enables entry of dependencies and relative deadlines for sub-tasks of projects. Dependency indicators specify dependencies of sub-tasks on the project start time or on completion times of other sub-tasks, and duration indicators specify the timing of deadlines relative to those time events. A plurality of deadlines can apply to the same sub-task so as to indicate thresholds of overdue urgency, and visual indications such as colors can be assigned to sub-tasks within the plurality to enable indications of overdue urgency in visual presentations of project status. Sub-task visual elements can be included that list and name the sub-tasks, and relate the sub-tasks to dependency indicators. Permissions can be entered that control the abilities of users to view and/or enter parameters. The method can operate over a network or the internet.