After a major search for collaboration tools, I think I have uncovered what may be a killer app for down and dirty project collaboration and information management. A little history first, in my search I have found many useful sites, BackpackIt and Basecamp, Jotspot, tried wikis ... simple posting like Writeboards and online calendars and file sharing. All of them were OK, but the most robust solution was always never used fully as most of my colleagues were not ready to embrace the solution and use it. The simple apps were great for one shot file sharing and light idea exchange, but remained mired in disuse ...
Enter a new animal .... tracker by the folks at Jotspot (which is a great wiki application by itself) ... This solution is based on a spreadsheet metaphor with some twists. The great thing is that most people know what a spreadsheet is and how it can be used as a database and tracking system, so it does not frighten even a novice. The tracker metaphor takes a spreadsheet to anthother level as an interactive web based solution that can have many layers ... I set up a quick database as a template for a knowledge management system for our company. It was easy to set up and import into the tracker site ... once uploaded, the magic started ... setting up the look and feel was easy with formatting and color control ... BUT the neatest thing was the expanded use of each cell ... you can expand the cell to be a file repository so users can click on a cell and have files associated with the overall description right at their fingertips ... you can also put up photos and start a general note (read conversation) on the topic ...
The upshot is that the first time guys went to look at the tracker, they were instantly comfortable and not put off by the model ... This app is still in beta, but if the current status is any any indication of what's to come ... look out !!!!
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