Legendary Windows developer Dave W. Plummer has been diligently refining his latest creation, the Task Manager known as TMOG (Task Manager OG). This innovative tool, which emerged from a comprehensive 107-page specification, showcases Plummer’s expertise as the original architect of the 80KB Task Manager that first graced Windows NT 4.0 in 1996. Notably, TMOG is designed to operate seamlessly not only on modern Windows 11 systems but also on macOS and Linux, expanding its reach across platforms.
Inspiration Amidst Adversity
In a twist of fate, Plummer found himself with unexpected time on his hands while waiting at the hospital during his son’s emergency appendectomy. Rather than adhering to his initial plan of vibe coding a new version of Microsoft Word, he pivoted to a project that was close to his heart: the Task Manager. Armed with a MacBook Air M5, he channeled his energy into developing TMOG, managing to create a functional app by the time his son was discharged.
However, the journey didn’t end there. Following a spell of internal bleeding that necessitated readmission, Plummer seized the opportunity for additional development time. This period of waiting proved fruitful, allowing him to enhance TMOG significantly. With features such as the ability to animate visuals at 60 Hz—up from the traditional one-second interval—and a plethora of customization options, TMOG is poised to impress users with its dynamic capabilities.
The initial iterations of TMOG were crafted in a mere four and a half hours on the portable M5, and Plummer proudly notes that they functioned flawlessly on the first attempt. Since then, he has been engaged in fine-tuning the application, responding to feedback from users who have eagerly tested the beta versions. While some minor issues remain to be addressed, the overall reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the app’s responsiveness and functionality.
