I am looking for tools to document and present product ideas. I will be using them mainly to share ideas with hackers, but occasionally with others as well, so impressiveness is definitely a criterion. Presentations are too lame and mindmaps are too abstract. I liked prezi but not the pricing plans. Suggestions for alternatives?
Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
1–10 of 24 posts
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#2One part of my idea tool kit is def balsamiq mockups :) / other than that - evernote is good ,drop box or base camp - but as far as one tool ... perhaps that should be your one idea.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#3whiteboard + beer
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#4I use a firefox plugin called "Pencil" to make GUIs and design interactions. For more complex stuff I go back and forth between DIA and Paint.NET (a graphics editor.)
The first is good for designing networks and servers, as you can draw lines between "nodes" and the lines snap into place. The second is good because it has layers. I put each object in a separate layer for maximum ease of use.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#5whiteboard + beer
A camera might be in order for some sort of record keeping. Though if too much beer is involved then you might not want the record.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#6I personally use Things (http://culturedcode.com) with a simple "Projects" project created to dump them in. (at least, for directly recording)
However, I also use a whiteboard to scribble stuff on and these can be a great solution for presenting ideas, especially if you can add to them as you present.
I would suggest Balsamiq Mockups too, especially for drawing up interfaces, although you might find that using a "thinner" solution better for you. (Mostly related to the size of the elements in Balsamiq.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#7Blank piece of paper and a pen.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#8I use paper and a pen. But anything that I don't plan on using right away goes on http://folist.com -- It's simple, but works.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#9Hacker News? Seems like you are using it for that now.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#10whiteboard + beer
A camera might be in order for some sort of record keeping. Though if too much beer is involved then you might not want the record.
We used this software when it was originally Pixid Whiteboard Photo to capture some complex whiteboards.
The whiteboard photo software cleans up the glare/angle to present the whiteboard as a 2-d flat drawing. You can download a free trial.
http://www.polyvision.com/ProductSolutions/WhiteboardPhotoSo...