I want to suggest a new goal type specifically for measuring time: do earlier. This would make it possible to take into account the specific reminder needs for dealing with time (as in time of the day). For example the “Do earlier” type of goal should automatically move the deadline on an emergency day so that it is the same as the the required data point, followed by aggressive Zeno polling. That would result in more timely reminders. The Android app should be updated with a time picker data entry method in connection to this.
Not sure if a “Do later” goal would make sense. Do you agree that a do earlier goal make sense?
You can do this yourself in the Advanced Settings area (towards the bottom of that page) – This probably only works well for goals for which you’ll have the same time goal each day. (Noon is the earliest time for which you can set it right now.) I think, but am not certain, that this will change when your Zeno polling starts and when it starts to get frantic.
You can change the reminder settings for a goal under the “Reminders” tab in your goal settings.
Earlier:
Go to Bed by 11:00 p.m.
Start Work by 9:00 a.m.
Later:
Don’t Get Distracted By Hobby Before 6:00 p.m.
Oh interesting. So, if you are moving the goal due date around, is that kind of like saying that what matters is the timestamp on your data point instead of the value of it? Or I suppose it is not exactly the same because Beeminder won’t compute the time-to-derail correctly?
Zeno polling starts at whatever time your daily bot email reminder is set for. It gets frantic as your deadline approaches. (In the reminders redesign we’re making sure that those two key times – remind time and deadline – are right next to each other in settings.)