Comments on: The Quest for the Perfect Web Working Tool

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:08:29 +0000

I’ve been looking for all of this for a while as well. The problem is there are a lot of dedicated softwares out there that are really good at what they do but do not cohesively pull everything together. The closest I’ve found to my ideal so far is http://www.liquidplanner.com. Although tying into a billing and accounting system would be nice but I haven’t seen any API documentation. A direct integration to FreshBooks would be beyond awesome.

By: Finell

Finell — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:05:56 +0000

This is the “Cloud” version of a familiar problem down here on the ground: too many information “silos.” I think that “data prisons” is a more apt metaphor. Most programs store our data in a proprietary database structure that, for the most part, other applications can’t access. So, we enter the same data multiple times in multiple apps: contact information resides in a contact manager (e.g., Outlook), lists in a word processor or spreadsheet, word processing files for “mail merges,” an accounting program, perhaps a separate time-tracking (billing) program, a project management program, and perhaps a few specialized vertical apps (in my filed, a law practice management program and litigation support software. The web and web apps multiply the silos: we now have to follow our contacts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, multiple blogs, online bulletin boards, listservs, and on and on. Calendar and task information are likewise separately entered in multiple apps on Earth and in the Cloud. This is the opposite of the original data model for computing: each datum entered only once, in one and only one assigned place, universally accessible throughout an organization. The problem arose for an understandable commercial reason: each application vendor realized that you would continue to buy and upgrade that app–that is, all those apps–if they imprisoned our data in a proprietary database that other programs could not use. Imagine a physical filing cabinet that stored your paper files in a “proprietary” way that made it impossible to move them to a different brand of filing cabinet. No one would put up with that, but we live with these digital data prisons without complaint.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Sat, 07 May 2011 02:59:54 +0000

Clever article! Couldn’t help but notice how many times you used the word ‘task.’

Not saying that we’re a cure for all your needs ;-) but many of them – in particular “information management, and remote collaboration”. I’d love it if you’d take the time to check us out (cohuman.com). Give me a holler if I can be of any assistance.

By: Wilfred Reyes

Wilfred Reyes — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:32:35 +0000

Exactly what my company wants! ^^

By: Amber Singleton Riviere

Amber Singleton Riviere — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:35:43 +0000

Agreed. Basically, everything should hook up. Google? Facebook? Anyone?

I’m keeping my eyes peeled, Rebecca, and will post back as soon as I hear of something (or invent it – whichever comes first).

By: Rebecca Haden

Rebecca Haden — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:32:47 +0000

If you’re in business for yourself, you need the contacts and info to hook up with CRM and time tracking functions, and then all that should hook up with your accounting and invoicing software.

In a centralized dashboard. Let me know if you find one.