Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
chalkboardhq.com
Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
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Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#2It’s a relatively scrappy MVP and there are a definitely going to be bugs and kinks. The user interface definitely needs improvement. Regardless, we’re just getting started and have gotten great amounts of feedback and now want to see what Hacker News will think.
Chalkboard is a project my partner Abi and I started several months ago. Chalkboard is a collaborative tool for laying out software features, user stories, and screens in a way that is organized and communicative. Abi worked in web consulting with remote teams and wanted a tool that let him easily define project requirements with clients then hand the project off to designers/developers.
Chalkboard lets you quickly define software features / user stories and then create step-by-step user flows for them. User flows are linked up to application screens that you specify and can upload mockups for.
A lot of people have suggested we integrate/tie into Balsamiq. We have been talking about this since day one but have hesitated reaching out to them until we are 100% sure that this app can become a useful product.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#3I checked it out, seems to be a decent MVP. I wouldn't focus on basamiq integration yet. Seems to be too early. There's few easy tools for mapping out agile software specs and it looks like this could be the answer. Others seem to be too tightly tied to a certain process and this looks very flexible.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#4A new structured way to plan apps sounds good, but what makes your site unique and impressive?
My first impression is that it's a flow chart in the form of an outline. The outline looks like something I could just as easily type into any text editor. Why not make it a visual flow chart?
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#5Before I clicked the link the title seemed like an article which would argue why a real chalkboard is better than computers for planning.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#6A new structured way to plan apps sounds good, but what makes your site unique and impressive? My first impression is that it's a flow chart in the form of an outline. The outline looks like something I could just as easily type into any text editor. Why not make it a visual flow chart?
David, that's a great question.
We actually started out by displaying user flows as flow charts... we quickly realized that flow charts are an inefficient way to display a comprehensive batch of sequential user actions and application flows. It IS easier to type outlines in a text editor than mess around with flow charts.
We transferred that realization to this web app.
Our user actions are linked to application screens, which gives you a good overview of how your user interacts with your application.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#71. It would be awesome if you incorporate transitions between the single page design elements instead of jumping back up then back down.
2. On my 13" the screenshots are too big, then I have the chat widget overlaying on top.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#8I checked it out, seems to be a decent MVP. I wouldn't focus on basamiq integration yet. Seems to be too early. There's few easy tools for mapping out agile software specs and it looks like this could be the answer. Others seem to be too tightly tied to a certain process and this looks very flexible.
Thanks for the positive feedback and endorsement..after working a couple months on Chalkboad, its really nice to see people appreciating it.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#9It's hard to review the app without bias when I immediately had to scroll to the bottom to see if 37signals created this product. So much of the website, sales pitch, and product sensibility has been inspired by 37signal that there is some serious brand confusion. It makes me wonder how well you know your own product, or how unique it is.
After registering, I see the value. 10 years ago, I used to have to plan websites by mocking up each page, printing them out, and taping them all up onto a giant wall with post-it notes explaining what the user can do on each page. This was the only way that management could really visualize and understand what changes we were making. This allows you to do that without the wall, and the collaboration is a nice addition. It's also a great way to look back and see how a project came to light. I often jot down these sorts of notes when planning a web app.
I recommend you reconsider being so inspired by 37signals that it's hard to tell your site apart from theirs. I think I'm being kind in how I'm describing this to you. It's very confusing for any user who is familiar with 37signals and it makes your product less trustworthy.
Re: Show HN: Chalkboard, a better way to plan/spec software projects
#101. It would be awesome if you incorporate transitions between the single page design elements instead of jumping back up then back down. 2. On my 13" the screenshots are too big, then I have the chat widget overlaying on top.
Sorry about that! Regarding switching elements, there should be a TOP button located at the top right of each element. We'll get this fixed as soon as the HN burst stops, I'm very sorry, Jerry.