Desk

The same mail as in the front office, just as a desk seen from above: folders, calendar, sticky notes, Rolodex. You can switch between list and desk any time.

Switching

The Desk is a second view of the front office for large screens. In the front office the Desk button at the top takes you there; on the desk you switch at the top left between List and Desk. The Always open like this on desktop checkbox makes the front office open as the desk on your computer from now on. Links to a specific item and the phone keep showing the list.

I introduce the desk once you’ve handled a handful of items (Features one at a time).

The folders

Three folders lie on the desk, the same as in the list (The folders): the Sign-off folder (To sign), the Decision folder (Decisions) and the Reading folder (To read). Each shows the first entries and the count; if there’s mail from a VIP inside, the folder carries a seal. One click opens the folder and you go through it item by item: sign off, file, pick an option or jump to the item in the front office. Every action takes the same route as in the list, with the same undo window.

What else is on the desk

Note from me: greeting and what’s on today. Click opens the list.
Clock and desk calendar with the next appointment and today’s and tomorrow’s meetings; they lead to the calendar (Connecting your calendar and your day).
Sticky notes: reminders, deadlines and today’s tasks. Tear a task off and it’s done (Tasks).
Phone note While you were out: who has been waiting days for your reply and whom you’re waiting on.
Business cards of this week’s new senders: putting one in the Rolodex makes them a VIP, or you put it away (VIPs).
Rolodex with your most important contacts, flags for news (Contacts); binders for your Files.
In tray (new mail, leads to the Inbox) and out tray (done today, leads to the Done report report).
Wastebasket with the number of sorted-out offers (Sorting out).

Everything can be moved; I remember the arrangement. Tidy up puts everything back, the speaker toggles the paper and stamp sounds, Call it a day clears the desk and switches off the light. Pages open as a window on the desk or in their own tab.

If something’s wrong

If the front office opens as the desk when you don’t want it to, untick Always open like this on desktop or switch with List. If the desk is a mess, Tidy up helps. If the desk is missing entirely, it isn’t your turn for it yet (All features right away).