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Z-index - watch videos while working without sacrificing productivity

sc3wnet

sc3wnet

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 4, 2018
7
0
Marosvásárhely
Hello guys,

This is the developer of Z-index - a small Mac app that keeps videos from the web on top of other native apps in a nondisturbing way, so you can watch videos while working without sacrificing productivity.

Here's a demo:


I'm working on this because - I'm a nerd, and... - actually, I need an app like Z-index.

Usually, I watch something on YouTube while I work. Keeping a full browser window in the corner of the screen eats up a lot of screen estate and when the browser loses the focus, it's always getting behind another window so I usually miss the most interesting part of the video.

Z-index solves this by keeping the video on top of other windows and also provides a so-called see-through & click-through feature to control the apps behind the video.

Here's how it looks like:

macrumorers-z-demo.png


If you find it interesting, Z-index is now available for pre-orders with -50% discount. The planned release date is at the end of October.


Feel free to ask me anything and/or give feedback!
 
Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

Could I ask how do you plan to use it?

I would try to optimize it for the needs of the users.
 
Seems interesting! Just so you know, you have a typo on your home page. "Becames" should be "Becomes".
 
This looks great! I rarely watch videos while trying to do other things, but if I did, I'd get this in a second.
 
Neat app, but doesn't it impair your productivity to work while watching a video at the same time? You're a dev so you code - doesn't that take all your brainpower?

I'm not questioning your work methods, but I'd like to understand more about why you think watching youtube videos while you work benefits you.
 
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RedTomato said:
Neat app, but doesn't it impair your productivity to work while watching a video at the same time? You're a dev so you code - doesn't that take all your brainpower?

I'm not questioning your work methods, but I'd like to understand more about why you think watching youtube videos while you work benefits you.
Click to expand...

This is an important question, thanks for asking!

As a developer, I found that many of us listen to music or watch videos while coding.

When it comes to listening to music, most of us agree that it could benefit our productivity, especially when working from noisy environments, like an open-space office or a cafe. There are some studies out there confirming that certain music could increase focus and productivity.

Videos are a bit different, and they could be distracting. But the interesting thing is that I know a lot of devs who are "going hard-core" on watching videos while coding, and they are between the most productive ones in their teams. Many of them use a separate monitor or an iPad/tablet on their desk for videos (I don't want to do that, that's why I build Z-index).

As far as I know, there are no studies on how watching videos while working affects productivity, but based on my observations I think:

  • when working on easy/boring tasks watching videos doesn't affect productivity
  • when working on tasks with higher complexity videos could be used as music to eliminate environmental noise
  • also, when working on complex tasks and getting stuck, it's good to focus for a short time on something totally different, like a video and then get back to work (Z-index makes this easy)
  • sometimes following a coding tutorial or let's say, for journalists watching a press release video while taking notes is part of the work and it's easier with this app

This is my opinion based on my observations.

You might agree or disagree, it's totally fine. Everyone works differently :)
 
idmean said:
This is built right into macOS from Sierra onwards. (https://www.imore.com/how-use-picture-picture-macos-sierra) What benefits does your app provide that would make it worth paying for?
Click to expand...

Here are some benefits:
  • it works with Chrome and Firefox, the built-in PIP works just with Safari
  • provides see-through and click-through features to be able to control the apps behind the video without moving the player away (see the pic. from the first post)
  • when the video isn't visible on the screen, it takes over the playback from the browser automatically - you don't have to click any button
  • you can enable/disable it easily on individual websites (e.g. enable on YouTube, disable on Netflix)
Think about it like the built-in PIP with extras.
 
sc3wnet said:
This is an important question, thanks for asking!

As a developer, I found that many of us listen to music or watch videos while coding.

When it comes to listening to music, most of us agree that it could benefit our productivity, especially when working from noisy environments, like an open-space office or a cafe. There are some studies out there confirming that certain music could increase focus and productivity.

Videos are a bit different, and they could be distracting. But the interesting thing is that I know a lot of devs who are "going hard-core" on watching videos while coding, and they are between the most productive ones in their teams. Many of them use a separate monitor or an iPad/tablet on their desk for videos (I don't want to do that, that's why I build Z-index).

As far as I know, there are no studies on how watching videos while working affects productivity, but based on my observations I think:

  • when working on easy/boring tasks watching videos doesn't affect productivity
  • when working on tasks with higher complexity videos could be used as music to eliminate environmental noise
  • also, when working on complex tasks and getting stuck, it's good to focus for a short time on something totally different, like a video and then get back to work (Z-index makes this easy)
  • sometimes following a coding tutorial or let's say, for journalists watching a press release video while taking notes is part of the work and it's easier with this app

This is my opinion based on my observations.

You might agree or disagree, it's totally fine. Everyone works differently :)
Click to expand...

Thank you for your detailed response. It was very interesting to read your points and I won’t argue with them. As you say, everyone works differently.
 
According to the email I received when I pre-ordered, this was supposed to be released on October 2nd. Since I haven't received anything (including an email saying it's delayed) am I right in assuming that this is a scam?
 
rpmurray said:
According to the email I received when I pre-ordered, this was supposed to be released on October 2nd. Since I haven't received anything (including an email saying it's delayed) am I right in assuming that this is a scam?
Click to expand...
From the website: If I pre-order today, my card will be charged immediately?
Your card will be charged when you get the download link and the license key for the app, however it'll be authorized for $10 when you complete the pre-order.

From the OP post: "The planned release date is at the end of October."

I do agree that communication from the developer would have been appropriate, seeing how their is a discrepancy with the dates.
 
rpmurray said:
According to the email I received when I pre-ordered, this was supposed to be released on October 2nd. Since I haven't received anything (including an email saying it's delayed) am I right in assuming that this is a scam?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the poor communication, the first version of the app will be released at the end of October, more exactly on the 30 of October 2018.
 
rpmurray said:
Any progress on this? Is it out of beta yet?
Click to expand...

Looking back at the thread, there was never any mention of a a "beta". Just that you can pre-order at 50% off.

OPs website still says you can preorder at 50% off.

rpmurray said:
Since I haven't received anything (including an email saying it's delayed) am I right in assuming that this is a scam?
Click to expand...

Or it turns out that watching videos while you code isn't really that non-distracting...

OP has a twitter feed. Tweets stopped in September. There are historical tweets not about the app. Hopefully OP is alright, and simply too busy watching cat videos.
 
When I last spoke to him via email, (re: his reply to me) he was just starting to release the app to people like us, and it wasn't even in beta phase. When I found that out, I told him to remove me from the 50% off pre-sale list. I told him his lack of communication and the way he has presented his work and efforts with the app are very unprofessional.

There are too many red flags with this whole situation.
 
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