Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
1–10 of 38 posts
I've never found a solution that I like for tracking and then later revisiting ideas. I have Google Docs, spreadsheets, folders, and scraps of paper. Are there web apps for idea tracking that you guys trust, and that hopefully allow both public and private ideas? I'm also starting a Twitter feed for random ideas that I have: http://twitter.com/ideaperdiem
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#2Ideas are very important. Sometimes too important to digitize. I bought a black covered, blank, hardbound book that I use to write and draw out my ideas. And I lock it in a safe.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#3i never keep track of my ideas. i only have a few that really stand out and those i never forget. if your ideas don't come back to you over and over again, then those aren't good ideas. also, i try to be proactive about finding out whether they're good ideas by talking to people - anyone - old bosses, old friends, new friends, guys who hit on me at coffee shop, etc.
Why do ideas have to be private? if you have an idea, you can be sure that you are probably not the only one who came up with them, so feel free to discuss openly.
there's nothing worse than being paranoid about keeping your ideas to yourself.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#4I use GQueues, project management loosely integrated with your gmail account.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#5I use pivotal tracker works great. I like pivotal more cause i just attach the documents ive written and come back to them later on and its better organized. Recommend you do that.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#6i used to have a draft message in gmail, but it grew too unwieldy.
now i use a private github repo and have all ideas in one markdown file that's easily editable via github's web editor. i already spend a good amount of time in github for other projects, so this is pretty good for me.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#7I like workflowy.com, the outline format is nice to keep things in groups.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#8Email to myself, tag with "idea".
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#9I use a text file and I have an 'ideas' folder in dropbox. One folder per idea. If I need to add more information like photos or a business model canvas. I just put into that folder. It's works for me.
Re: Ask HN: How do you keep track of your ideas?
#10I have a section on my desk for all my scraps of paper, I prefer paper, because it is physically in front of you reminding you of your ideas and to take action on them.
Plus writing seems to be less mechanical and more creative, which helps me get the juices flowing when I come up with a new idea.