Let me preface this by saying I’m new to Basecamp and still trying to understand how to best utilize it, but I feel that when I complete the tasks on my to-do lists (which I really utilize) and they get crossed out on the overview it makes that page look really messy. I’ve actually been deleting them to try to keep the overview page have a cleaner look and, well, a better overview of what’s going on in the project. At the same time I think it would be nice to have a record of what we have done so far.

Am I not utilizing some aspect of this in the right way? Should I just get used to the crossed out tasks? Do people more often delete completed tasks? (after all the are completed)

I’m just wondering if this bugs anyone else.

I also have the same problem as Tate. I do not like the Overview tab because it looks very cluttered when completed tasks are listed and crossed out. As I understand it, completed tasks should not show up on Overview at all, only new tasks. Completed should be only seen in the To-Dos, and greyed out in a small font, as they are. *I have users who don’t want to use Basecamp because of this and they are even discussing replacing it with another document collaboration tool. *
Another thing that needs fixed on the Overview – older versions of a document should not show up here! It confuses the user since they look like the same document was posted several times.
And finally, could someone please add a timed auto-archive feature that moves old entries off to another part of the page after X days?

Please advise! Thanks.

I like the crossed-out to-do’s on the overview page just the way they are — helps me see at a glance what’s being added, and what’s being done. 37s got this right, IMO.

GREAT ideas…does anyone from 37 signals watch these posts? How long do they turnaround items so glaring like these? I am new to basecamp and am already considering moving away from it…

I agree with Mike. I am just as interested in when something is completed as well as when something is assigned.

I also agree with TMG and Mike.. seeing what is completed is critically important and the crossed out entry communicates this perfectly for us.

Tate and msallee, I think would agree but does it have to be on the Overview page?

The to-do tab appropriatly shows all items.

I agree that only new items should be on the Overview page…or at least be given the option to display or not to display completed items.

The overview page is exactly that, an overview.
A reverse chronological snapshot of events relating to a project/s.

IMO, A task that has been completed is as important, if not more than, any new tasks added.

does anyone from 37 signals watch these posts? How long do they turnaround items so glaring like these? I am new to basecamp and am already considering moving away from it…

We watch and read all posts, and we consider every request, but we can’t act on every request.

As you can see in this thread, there are competing opinions on this feature. Some want it changed, some don’t. If we always acted on the first request we’d upset as many people as we’d please.

So it’s our job to be aware of the requests, consider them, and make changes over time that we feel are appropriate and beneficial to the widest selection of customers.

How hard can it be to let the user decide? Not everyone will want to use it in the same way…

Yes, why not have an option to view or not on overview completed to-do’s.

Also can we have to-do’s archived rather than deleted?

I love the simplicity of basecamp but sometimes it restricts flexibility.