Sep 28

A lot of people use mind mapping software these days to gather their thoughts and start creative projects. This applies to many different creatives, including software developers, writers, producers, screenwriters, marketing teams, executives. . lots of different people and applications.

You can storyboard scripts with these tools, outline PowerPoint and Keynote presentations, conceptualize products, delineate workflow processes and much more.

I’ve used several mind mapping programs – freeware mostly. The most recent one I used was called Compendium. It was good, but it was pretty complex. With most of them, you’ll find them overly-complex. Compendium was nice, but I’ve found something better.

It’s called Popplet. This one is different, because it’s a Web application that has all the features I need in one package. The mind maps I make are shareable and “social,” so I can show people all my thoughts and even collaborate them without any local client program. They don’t need to install anything, and I don’t. It’s all Web based.

As far as I can tell, Popplet is pretty new. The app allows you to intuitively create detailed, flexible mind maps with just a few mouse. You can easily share these maps with others. You can easily collaborate with others to manipulate that maps in real time.

The product is a godsend for anyone involved in creative planning, software development, workflow, organized analysis of any kind. I made a quick video that shows you how easy it is to make a Popplet and how easy it is to share one. You can see that the below.

Take a look and please comment if you’ve tried and like Popplet. . or if you have any questions about this cool little app. Thanks.

Aside: The app is beta right now, however, I had no trouble getting an invitation. That may change as Popplet becomes more popular.

Aug 26

Ok.. shouldn’t there be a way to buy gift certificates online that generate a one-time bar code (to be printed or emailed or whatever’d)?

For example, “Here’s a coffee for you, here’s a beer for you.” Just like when you offer your ticket to the NHL/NFL/MLB/NBA game turnstile guy, and your ticket is good for one entry?

We need this. Techies get on it.

Retailers need this bigtime (think massage, cappuccino, 5-hour energy drink from AM/PM, flowers, sake, medical marijuana (kidding hippies – good name for a band, btw), root beer float, yoga lesson, helicopter ride, pack of gum, etc..).

Am I missing something? Does it already exist? I’ve got a freakin barcode scanner on my phone for chrissakes.