Qtask is a sophisticated integrated collection of technologies and services, bridging communication barriers from incompatible applications, both on the web, and those products that have not necessarily jumped onto the connected bandwagon.

Getting a clear picture of how something like Qtask interfaces with all of the protocols, relationships, and standards is usually a bit of a challenge.

We hope this simple tour of some of these technologies, with examples of how Qtask interacts with them, will give you a deeper understanding.

Qtask is a Software as a Service (SaaS), which is hosted by Qtask, Inc. on multiple servers located around the world. There is no need to install anything, since Qtask delivers everything through standard browsers that operate on all the major platforms.

For those that are a little more curious, Qtask was developed using a platform independent language that can operate on all the major operating systems. We have chosen Linux as the preferred operating system for the deployment. Regular live updates are made in just minutes, keeping the world connected 24/7/365.

Browsers used to be like a deluxe microfiche for miscellaneous papers stored in college basements, and digital brochures spewed out by new hip companies.

But today browsers are becoming portals to dynamic data, rich experiences, and creating a standard platform from which people can collaborate and exchange information.

Qtask supports the most popular browsers, including browsers designed for PDAs, mobile devices, and cell phones.

What is it? Skype is a free VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), a peer-to-peer internet telephony network. The network is provided by all combined users of the free desktop software application. Skype users can speak to other Skype users for free, call traditional telephone numbers for a fee (SkypeOut), receive calls from traditional phones (SkypeIn), and receive voice-mail messages.

Qtask provides a hub for all communications. From one interface you can Instant Message, or leave notes for each other, or post to a forum.

For voice communication, Qtask offers an interface to launch Skype and jump right into a voice to voice call with your friends all over the world.

What is it? Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, or AJAX, is a web development technique for creating highly responsive and efficient applications. This technique relies on the combination of several core technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the XML HTTP request object. Most modern browsers support all or most of these technologies, thereby making AJAX a reliable approach.

Qtask uses a very similar but even faster and more responsive system developed specifically for the Qtask service.

See also DHTML

What is it? Cookies are pieces of information that websites place on your computer so that they can remember things for you between visits.

Qtask stores information like what language you want to view Qtask in, the width of your display, and some history information.

Some people feel nervous about cookies because these are sometimes seen as an invasion of privacy. This is not really true. Cookies are stored on your system by sites so that when you return, they can better serve you, for example remember your time zone, or the last page you were looking at, and only that one site should have access to this. About the only information a site would store in a cookie is information the site already has about you. The only "extra" information that can be obtained is that the "same" user and computer and browser is logging in again. If this is still viewed as invasive, then it is suggested that you turn off your cookies.

Notice: Qtask might not operate without cookies.

What is it? HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is used to create web pages. HTML allows web designers to define the structure and content of their web pages.

See also HTTP

Qtask uses only HTML and JavaScript, and does not require the downloading of any plug-ins or separate software to access the site, and most of the site's features.

What is it? Dynamic HTML (DHTML) is a collective term for a combination of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tags and options, style sheets, JavaScript, and programming of Web pages that are more animated and more responsive to user interaction than previous versions of HTML. Dynamic HTML can allow web documents to look and act like desktop applications or multimedia productions.

See also HTTP

Qtask is a Dynamic HTML service, and provides an interface more like an application than like the traditional brochure (page after page) interface of most websites.

See also AJAX

What is it? XHTML Mobile Profile is a streamlined and extended version of HTML used to create web pages for cell phones and other internet-enabled mobile devices.

Qtask uses XHTML-MP to provide users of handheld devices with a quick and easy way of accessing their projects, tasks, calendar, and other Qtask data, while they are on the go.

See also HTML

What is it? Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), is a protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL works by using a private key to encrypt data that's transferred over the SSL connection. Many websites use the protocol to carry confidential user information back and forth, such as credit card numbers.

Qtask uses SSL 100% (not just for passwords) to encrypt all data passing between your local computer and Qtask's servers.

Note: SSL does come with a speed price; some transactions may become a little slower.

What is it? Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a system that allows one computer to access email from another computer.

Qtask can be configured as a web-based mail client. You can have multiple IMAP feeds, which might, for example, allow you to see your Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook Exchange, and other mail accounts in one place.

See also Feeds

What is it? REBOL, the Relative Expression Based Object Language (pronounced ['rebl']), is labeled an 'internet messaging language' by its makers. It is an interpreted computer programming language that contains support for many internet services, making it fairly easy to write internet applications such as electronic mail agents or web applications.

To learn more visit REBOL.COM

Qtask is programmed in 100% pure REBOL. This allows Qtask to be developed faster, and weaves together a web of developers from dozens of countries and disciplines.

What is it? Google Maps is a free online map service provided by Google. It offers a draggable map for the whole world and includes a route planner and business locater for the U.S., Canada, the UK and Ireland (city centres only). It is currently in beta testing.

Qtask uses Google Map's API to display geographical information, such as the locations of a team from a project.

Active feeds are interactive connections with other websites. For example, Qtask lets you accept Evites right from your own calendar.

What is it? Evite is the free social planning site, featuring invitations, social networking, local information and event listings. From planning a dinner party for friends to finding something to do on Saturday night, Evite makes it easy to explore local areas, communicate, coordinate, and make decisions.

Qtask displays your Evites right on your personal calendar. You can accept or decline an invitation directly.

What is it? Netflix is a popular movie rental service. You can create a queue of movies that you want to watch, and they will mail you a new movie every time you return your last movie.

Qtask displays your returns, and shipped movies, directly on your calendar. At a glance you can see what you have, and estimate when you will get your next movie.

What is it? Gmail is a web based email client.

Qtask displays your unread email count.

What is it? An Application Program Interface (API) is a way to allow separate entities (developers, companies, and products) to communicate with each other in a standard way. For example, Google offers an API for its mapping interface. This allows third party developers to build new sites (sometimes called mashups) to create new and different interfaces to Google Maps.

Qtask offers an API so that developers can make use of many amazing features of the Qtask service. For example, older applications made even before the web existed can be upgraded with very little work and tied into Qtask, allowing the syncing of contacts, events, files, and tasks.

What is it? iCalendar allows users to send meeting requests and tasks to other users through emails. Recipients of the iCalendar email (with supported software) can respond to the sender easily or counter propose another meeting date/time.

Qtask Group calendars can be syndicated to other web sites and products.

See also CSV, XML

What is it? RSS is a format for syndicating news and the content of newslike sites, including major news sites like Wired, news-oriented community sites like Slashdot, and personal blogs. But it's not just for news. Pretty much anything that can be broken down into discrete items can be syndicated via RSS: the "recent changes" page of a wiki, a change-log of CVS check-ins, even the revision history of a book.

Qtask syndicates multiple streams of data such as calendar events, task lists, reports, and contact information.

See also iCal, CSV

What is it? Extensible Markup Language (XML). A flexible way to create common information formats and share both the format and the data on the World Wide Web, intranets, and elsewhere. XML is a formal recommendation from the World Wide Web Consortium similar to the language of today's Web pages, the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

Qtask exports XML formatted data for information such as a project's tasks, reports, and other data. By supporting XML, information can be exported directly to products such as Microsoft Excel.

See also iCal, CSV, XML, and RSS

What is it? Comma Separated Value (CSV) is a format standard that allows for the interchange of information between disparate applications and services. Existing long before XML, CSV compatibility permits support for legacy systems and products.

Qtask exports CSV formatted data for information such as project task lists.

See also iCal, XML, and RSS