vim ~/ideas.txt
Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
11–20 of 24 posts
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#12I usually just use a text file (Textmate is my editor of choice) to create a spec sheet describing what my idea is and how it works. From there I share that planning doc with my partner and we start making mockups together (or more likely, she does, since my Photoshop skills suck). If I need to make a mockup for her to clarify something in the text file, I use Photoshop, or since my Photoshop skills suck, pen and paper (not that my pen and paper drawing skills are any better).
No wow factor, but it works for us.
To present ideas to people on the outside, I usually just do it verbally or via email. You should be able to explain your idea in relatively simple terms using nothing but words, imho. Again, no wow factor, but it works for us.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#13I 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 "t…
I've been using Things to keep track of ideas as well.
Actually, I've started using things for all kinds of notes and code snippets. I love it.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#14I 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.
I've just tried creating an account and logging in to folist, but I get the "You don't have a board" page, and then nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong? There doesn't seem anyone to ask, any links to click ...
I'm confused.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#15I use Microsoft OneNote for jotting down my ideas. I found it pretty fuctional and free flowing for my use. I can also just output a project notebook as a PDF and send it over.
I am proud of whoever at MS made that piece of app.... for some reason it feels different than any of their other stuff.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#16I use Microsoft OneNote for jotting down my ideas. I found it pretty fuctional and free flowing for my use. I can also just output a project notebook as a PDF and send it over. I am proud of whoever at MS made that piece of app.... for some reason it feels different than any of their other stuff.
Although Evernote is also pretty good i heard.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#17I 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.
Dia has layers too. See Diagram -> Layers.
[Says the Dia contributor :)]
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#18I 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.
I've just tried creating an account and logging in to folist, but I get the "You don't have a board" page, and then nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong? There doesn't seem anyone to ask, any links to click ... I'm confused.
Hm. Did you try clicking "Create a New Board"?
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#19I like to explore my ideas verbally and wish I had a better way to refer back to those audio brainstorms which I sometimes record. One problem is that the audio file is rarely "tight" in terms of signal-to-noise, which makes review tedious. It would be nice if I could cheaply outsource that work to a secretary type who would listen to my rantings and just return to me the salient bits, eliminate the pauses or maybe just transcribe what I say. I've looked into CastingWords but can't justify their prices (~$120 to transcribe a 90-minute recording, 2+ weeks ETA). I think there are strong opportunities for service developers in this space.
Re: Ask HN: Tools for recording product ideas
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've just tried creating an account and logging in to folist, but I get the "You don't have a board" page, and then nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong? There doesn't seem anyone to ask, any links to click ... I'm confused.
Hm. Did you try clicking "Create a New Board"?
Yup. Nothing happened.
I've never got Linux to work with the wireless on my laptop, so I'm booting into a secure(ish) version of Windows. I'm using IE7.
I wonder if it would work with Firefox or Chrome or something else. It's not working for me with this setup.
I'll try it later with a proper browser.