Taking Task Management, Brainstorming and Social Networking A Step Further
Posted August 1, 2007 in Productivity 76 Comments »
I have a feeling many of you freelancers and entrepreneurs will like this. Scot from Meridian Crest sent me an invite for a new service called 8apps, they’re in beta right now, but it looks really promising.
I’ve been playing around with 8apps for a couple of days now, and thought I could write about it. I’m really starting to like 8apps, and thought you would like it too. Here it is.
If, after reading this post, you feel 8apps is something you could use, and you think you could get something out of it, I have 45 invites left, so simply leave a comment on this post, and I’ll send an invite to your e-mail address.
So What Is 8Apps?
It’s many things. Basically, 8apps consists of a bunch of productivity tools, all rolled into one, with a social networking vibe. A “nice to have” for you freelancers, who manage many things at once, and who could benefit from being more productive.
We all know how how important it is to network with other like-minded people. Social networking (online and offline) is part of my daily life, this is how I find most of my contracts/gigs, and 8apps can make it easier.
Right now, there are 4 applications available (more to come, it’s called 8apps!)
Handshake
This is the social networking part. You can find people to work with and collaborate online. It’s similar to other social networking sites, you can add friends/contacts, send messages and browse the directory using keywords/interests. You can also create and join groups.
Blueprint
Blueprint is the brainstorming and mind-mapping tool, you can also invite friends/partners to participate.
Pinpoint
A simple, yet effective way to arrange meetings. And there is also a Google Map on there, it’s fun to know in what part of the world your collaborators and coworkers are located.
Orchestrate
A task management app, as simple as that. You can, of course, share your list with your contacts.
Better Productivity
So far I cannot say 8apps helped improve my productivity, but I assume if you use it on a daily basis you can get really interesting results. A lot of productivity apps and websites are available, and I’ve tried and tested many, and honestly they’re all similar. What caught my attention with this one is the social networking integration, which is a fantastic idea in my opinion.
Another alternative would be the highly popular 37Signals website. We will write about it in a future post.
Instead of using an app only to brainstorm, manage your time and a to-do list, and arrange meetings, you can invite people to contribute to a project, share ideas and help you out. Making project management a lot easier (provided your contacts are on 8apps).
The social networking side of 8apps is what makes it really interesting in my opinion (and as I wrote above I tried many). I also have to say the interface is slick, and intuitive (and it’s free). :)
45 invites left – 16 invites left – 11 invites left – 4 invites left
Jon
About the author: Jon Phillips is a full-time freelancer, designer and blogger, he loves WordPress and plays guitar in a heavy act. He's also the founder of Freelance Folder. Oh and he'd be pleased if you would follow him on Twitter. :)
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76 Comments
The Old Man
August 1st, 2007 at 7:00 amJon,
Sounds interesting. Send me an invite please!
Anthony
August 1st, 2007 at 8:24 amI would like to check it, Jon. The “blueprint” feature reminds me of your post on SWR a few months back on brainstorming.
LearningNerd
August 1st, 2007 at 10:29 amHey, I just ran across this blog and already I find something awesome! Thanks for sharing this review. :) I’d love to get an invite!
Better Blogging with Michael Martine
August 1st, 2007 at 11:22 amI had used Orchestrate stand-alone a while ago for a few month to test it out. It’s a little too simple for my needs, but the interface is very elegant.
Tyler Gillies
August 1st, 2007 at 12:07 pmSend me some invite love plz ;)
Staggo Lee
August 1st, 2007 at 12:09 pmMy goal is to promote and sell a poetry book, my poetry. Having the confidence that the book is worth reading, the next phase consists of many of the features you briefly describe. I am especially interested in the networking and brainstorming functions. I admit I have not worked with any productivity application (I keep learning more and more through the www, and I’m new to your blog), but I know I need to get comfortable using them.
Daya Isabella
August 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pmLooks interesting. Please send me an invite.
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 1st, 2007 at 2:02 pmI sent an invite to all who requested one. Hope you like 8apps!
Anthony, yep I wrote about mind-mapping/brainstorming a while ago on SWR, the blueprint app is very similar to mindmapping softwares like freemind and nova-mind, but with a social networking twist :)
Isko
August 1st, 2007 at 3:05 pmSounds delicious, I’d like to have an invite.
Dave
August 1st, 2007 at 3:55 pmShoot me an invite, bro –
Dave
erin
August 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm8apps sounds a little different than the rest. i’d like to try it out if you’ve got some invites left.
Andrew Odlum
August 1st, 2007 at 4:06 pmHey Jon,
It sounds like it might have potential. I would love to get an invite if you are still in the mood to pass them out :)
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 1st, 2007 at 4:10 pmInvites sent :)
Hope you like it!
Andrew Odlum
August 1st, 2007 at 4:24 pmThanks a bunch, Jon. It looks pretty cool so far. I look forward to experimenting with it more. Thanks again.
Erik Karey
August 1st, 2007 at 5:05 pmI’d be interested in an invite as well. The review makes it sound pretty nice. Thanks in advance!
Standalone
August 1st, 2007 at 7:50 pmHi! Have you try it using mobile browser? Well, i am connected to internet 24 hour through mobile phone. If it were going to make me productive, it should be accessed easyly from mobile browser.
i’ve got to try one of this, can you invite me?
Thanks.
Adam Donkus
August 1st, 2007 at 9:36 pmIf you think its worthy, I will give it a shot…Might be something Lizzie would be interested in as well.
FortuneWatch - Robin
August 1st, 2007 at 10:26 pmHey Jon,
This sounds cool, can you send me an invite please.
Take care and cheers.
Bizcoach -- Mark
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 amSounds interesting. Send me an invite please.
Thanks.
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 amInvites sent, maybe some of you received it 2 times, I hit the send button twice, sorry ’bout that. If you haven’t received it, just leave a comment here.
Standalone, I haven’t tried it on mobile browser, but I sent you an invite, lemme know if it works. ;)
You can of course add me to your contact list, my user id is “jphillips”
Anshuman
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 amthis is cool stuff… I am more keen on knowing the base technology being used, and many more associated details.
Can you please send an invite to me as well.. Thanks in advance :-)
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:26 amSent ;)
27 invites left
Anshuman
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 amNow that was ultra quick :-D Thanks!
btw, have been following your blog feeds… pretty good work out here !
PilotJohn
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:16 amAny more invites?
Old Man
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:19 amAfter playing around with 8apps for a couple of hours I have my own mini-review.
First, I like the design. It’s simplicity is elegant and it is user-friendly. It’s uniqueness as a social networking tool is rewarding and inviting.
However, the downside is, in its current form, too simple to be much good. There is a lot of potential here and I encourage the founder to continue improving the model. But if this is to truly live up to its ambition and make social networking more productive then it needs to expand on some of its features – apps – and make them more usable for those who truly aspire to be more productive.
I joined the 8apps beta test group and left my detailed comments there under my real name (Allen Taylor) if you want to read more.
I’m looking forward to seeing how 8apps takes a good idea and improves upon it.
Jonathan Frye
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:19 amI am new to reading your site, but I found such great content that I have already added it to my reader. I would be interested in 8apps as well. Cheers.
SB
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:12 amFound and subscribed to your site this morning – good job on it.
If you have an extra invite, feel free to forward it along, I’ll give it a shot
SB
Julia Styles
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 amMy fiance told me about 8Apps. He has tried all the new social networking tools like Twitter, RTM, Pownce, etc, but he has liked 8Apps the best.
If you are interested in Brainstorming with a social network check out http://www.BrainReactions.net where you can brainstorm your challenges publically or privately, in a brainstorm room.
Ryan Imel
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:44 amI would _love_ an invite!
Sean C.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:55 amI would like a invite please if you still have any and thanks..
Jason
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:12 pmooo ooo me too please!
Very cool idea. :)
WebDrops
August 6th, 2007 at 2:16 amI am also a first time visitor to your blog… but must say you have a great way of presenting … very interesting … great going…
Greg Wolejko
August 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pmHi,
As devoted productivity fan on a life long search The Killer App I must say this looks very promising.
Also as a Web2.0 evangelist, this approach to productive networking is absolutely fantastic.
I would very much like to get an invite as this might be exactly what I am looking for.
Dave T
August 8th, 2007 at 7:53 pmLooks interesting! Would appreciate an invite if anyone has one left :) Many thanks….
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 10th, 2007 at 8:34 pmInvites sent to everyone (I think… if you haven’t received it, lemme know) hope you like it :)
Bryan
August 12th, 2007 at 9:40 amI am realy curious about this web application, please send me an invitation!
Rich
August 16th, 2007 at 3:04 pmThis looks like its worth checking into… would love to get an invite… thanks!
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pmAll invites sent, lemme know if you didn’t get it ;)
Enam
August 19th, 2007 at 8:18 pmI have stumbled you.
Please send me an invitation.
raj
August 25th, 2007 at 10:10 pmHi Jon, love it if you could send an invite>
cheers
-raj
raj
August 26th, 2007 at 7:01 amWhere are my manners? Please. And thanks for already sending the invite :)
Jon - Freelance Folder
August 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pmRaj, youre very welcome :)
Jermaine
August 29th, 2007 at 5:07 pmI would like an invite if you have any left. Thanks!
Brian S. Friedlander
August 30th, 2007 at 6:25 amSound interesting! I would like to take a look at it.
Gretchen Little
September 12th, 2007 at 10:46 amVery interesting! What kind of community is it? I’m wondering if an artistic type like myself would fit in. If so, I’d love to be invited if possible. Thank you.
Gretchen
A. Marques
September 13th, 2007 at 12:29 pmSounds good…
You still have any invites left? If so, send one my way please.
Babs
September 17th, 2007 at 11:39 pmSounds great. If there are any invites left, I would like one, please. Thanks.
Patricia Alsup
September 18th, 2007 at 3:32 amIf you have any more invitations left, I would appreciate one. Thanks.
Jon - Freelance Folder
September 18th, 2007 at 3:38 amHi folks, I sent invites to everyone that requested one, if you haven’t received it, lemme know :)
Hillary
September 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pmI’d love an invite. Thanks for the review!
pebuaa
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:58 amCould I get an invite please? Thank You
Hsi-Pei
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 pmI’ve been looking for something similar to 37Signals, please invite me thanks.
Leendert
September 25th, 2007 at 10:01 amNice overview of 8apps. I would really love an invite. Thank you.
maurizio
September 25th, 2007 at 11:06 amit sounds interesting, could you please invite me?
thanks a lot!
gary cohen
September 28th, 2007 at 10:35 pmGreat post. Would love an invite – the mindmap and social networking apps look cool.
Alberto
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:20 am8apps seems like an interesting set of applications to try, I’d love to have an invite
Jon
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 pmInvites sent ;)
Randy
October 17th, 2007 at 12:38 amHey, if you’ve got any invites left I’d like to take a look! I just stumbled upon your site for the first time tonight.
Jon
October 17th, 2007 at 12:47 amSent :)
rob
October 19th, 2007 at 11:31 pmLiked your review, and yes it sounds promising!
If you’ve got any invites left, I’d love to try it out…
-rob
rosie
October 21st, 2007 at 7:10 pmI am reading this post months later is the app. out o f beta yet? Any thing new to report?
Thanks for your great blog just saw it on blogcatalog!!!! Kudos
Morgan
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:10 ammadlad88@hotmail.com
please send me an invite, thanks buddy :D
Jon
October 27th, 2007 at 6:17 pmInvites sent! :)
Lemme know if you didn’t receive it
John
October 28th, 2007 at 10:14 amhey this sounds interesting.
Send me an invite if you still have ‘em.
thanks
Jason Guest
November 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pmI would appreciate an invite – thanks for head’s up on 8apps!
-jason
Ly Nguyen
November 1st, 2007 at 6:10 pmA Basecamp/Myspace mutt… sounds interesting. Please send me an invite as well. Thanks!
bob
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:00 pmHey Jon
I’d like an invite if you have any left… sounds just like what the dr ordered for me:)
thanks
Jon
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:16 amInvites sent! :)
still around 35 left
alper
November 26th, 2007 at 9:38 amcould you please send me one invitation?
thanks!
Google Mapping Blog
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:53 pmvery very interesting, could you please invite me?
thanks :-)
Brian S. Friedlander
December 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pmHi Jon:
i would be interested in an invite
Thanks
brian
Paulie
December 18th, 2007 at 1:38 pmI’m in search of the always elusive killer app project management tool. Can you send an invite please? Thanks!!
Jamil
December 25th, 2007 at 7:50 amHi,
Count me in for an invite please.
Jon Phillips
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 pmHi all, seems 8apps will be closing soon (not sure why though, it was very promising), here’s what they wrote on the site:
8apps will be closing down in January 2008. Thank you all for your support and I hope you enjoyed using this site.
So I guess there is no need to send invites anymore, sorry ’bout this folks
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