Thinklinkr – Come Together To Think, Outline and Collaborate In Real Time

The web has been about doing away with distances. Web 2.0 also has been a lot about doing everything in real time. What’s real time, you may ask? Twitter, is real time I would say. Real time is when an action draws an immediate response. When something gets on the web and is received by someone almost instantaneously, that’s real time.

Web apps also have gone real time. There’s no more of mailing across and update and waiting for the response to flow in. Now, collaborative tools allow two or more people to work on the same web space.

It’s akin to sitting across the desk and thrashing out ideas over a cup of coffee – and it is how people can collaborate in real time.

Thinklinkr is another species in the new breed of collaborative web applications. With cloud based computing, the breed of collaborative web-based apps is crowding together. From online meet-ups involving huge projects to simple things as To-do lists or even sharing a screen session, collaboration tools are the new way.

Thinklinkr is not as complex as online project management tools. It is more in the line of OmniOutliner (paid) which is a Mac software or the web-based LooseStitch.

So, just to outline the three facets of Thinklinkr…

• It is web based.
• It is an outliner.
• It is fully collaborative.

Thinklinkr as an outliner

For those who have come in late, the application of an ‘outliner’ follows from the word – outline. An outliner is a program that allows us to arrange data into distinct chunks or sections or main headings and sub-points. Outliners allow data to be ordered and organized. Think of it as the first thoughts…the first idea of a plan or just a plain step by step of things you want to do. You can use an Outliner app for jotting down, brainstorming, or GTD.

Thinklinkr’s data organization features cover all that.

Using Thinklinkr, you can easily create outlines, indent and outdent them. With a mouse click you can collapse or expand the outlines. Drag and drop operations are all supported for easy reorganization of your data. A host of keyboard shortcuts may goad you to become a keyboard ninja and a hotshot outliner.

Advanced features like importing-exporting outlines to other Outliner apps as Text/HTML/Word/OPML files is great for flexibility.

View revision history of your outlines (using a slick slider) or just delete them for a tighter library.

The automatic save feature of Thinklinkr speeds up the outlining tasks as any data entered gets saved to the Thinklinkr servers.

Thinklinkr as a group or team tool

The usefulness of an Outliner increases manifold when you want to use it to collaborate in real time. In Thinklinkr, you can invite other team members as editors or simply as viewers to share the current outline. Editors can of course, make changes themselves which gets reflected in real time. Viewers can share any Thinklinkr project but they cannot make any changes themselves. Notification emails keeps the team updated on what’s happening in their Thinklinkr outlines.

The collaboration tool gets enhanced by the live chat service. All logged in team members can collaborate and chat in real time. An avatar next to the outline entry is the signpost to who’s contributing to the outlines in real time.

Will you be on Thinklinkr?

As a simple online Outliner application, Thinklinkr covers the basics. It is fast and free of glitches. For the first-time Outliner app user, the use of shortcuts to speed up the process is also easily accessible. You just need to press the little icon on the bottom bar to toggle the Keyboard Shortcuts screen. The screencast video help does all the explaining to the guy who has just signed up. Last but not the least – the chat service in Thinklinkr rounds off the real time collaboration experience.

This is just version 0.9.18. So more features surely will come in. The wish list includes more team management tools and a feature to attach external documents to the outlines. Also, for a collaborative environment, I believe the program shouldn’t stop at just outlines but should help the team to monitor the actionable steps taken on specific outlines.

Online collaboration and brainstorming apps are stirring up the cloud like never before. The free version of LooseStitch is already there. The new ThinkFold is also on the starting blocks with a beta.

Do you use a web-based outliner like Thinklinkr or prefer the desktop variant to collaborate in real time? Let us know your favorite tool for the job.

Did you like the post? Please do share your thoughts in the comments section!

3 Flexible Project Management Apps for the Mac

OmniPlan

OmniPlan from OmniGroup — one of the brightest minds in Mac productivity applications — includes an intuitive user interface with customizable views.

Task management in OmniPlan takes an outline approach, which is good for users who aren’t full-time project managers. From the outline view, you can track the costs associated with your tasks (resource cost, task cost and total); view task constraints and dependencies; and create milestones that represent completion points in your project.

I came to OmniPlan for my own project management needs because I was looking for a reasonably lightweight project management application and was already using OmniFocus, OmniGraffle and OmniOutliner Pro. One worry I did have was that I work with clients standardized on Microsoft Project, but OmniPlan can import and export MS Project files, and looking at my projects I saw most schedules were saved as PDF before they were distributed to the project team anyway, which took my worry off the table.

OmniPlan costs $149.95 for a single license (a free trial is available).

SharedPlan Pro

SharedPlan Pro from SharedPlan offers a project sketching tool (with network diagramming) and an online project editor with additional views, including Gantt chart and resource views. It also includes some more complex project management features including reports, analysis tools and management tools, offering flexibility as to how you can slice, dice and otherwise present project data.

You can easily overlook version management of project schedules, but Shared Plan includes version management features enabling you to compare previous project versions and check historical information.

SharedPlan Pro is available for Mac, Windows and Linux and costs $99.95/user (free trial available). A free iPhone application is also available.

Merlin2

Merlin2 is another strong Mac project management offering that includes several views of project data, including Activities, a comprehensive Gantt chart, Netplan, Resources and Utilization.

The Merlin2 Library is a source for project-specific information. You can drag and drop information from the library to any of your active projects. Out of the box, the library contains a range of documents and activities for general projects. You also have the option to customize the library to meet your respective project needs.

Merlin2 costs $210, with a free trial available. There is also an iPhone application available.

PMP Sınavı Hakkında Bilgiler

Project Management Tools and Templates Directory

	Checklists and templates Cardboard Checklists (tm) "These checklists are a tool for helping you focus attention on the critical aspects of your project at the different stages of its lifecycle." Methods123.com a Project Management Methodology which provides you with all of the documents,processes, tools, templates and methods required in order to succeed as a Project Manager. These tools are an integral part of the Method123 project lifecycle. 12 Templates free! ProgramControl.com makes available for download preformatted and customized templates for managing a wide range of projects. Templates include renovation, systems integration, network implementation, software validation, etc. Project Management Productivity Checklist ProjectSmart Sample Project Charter SmartDraw Easily Create Gantt Charts and PERT Charts for Project Management in Minutes—Download It Free! [pdf] What Every Project Manager Should Know and Do tools: Project Management checklists and templates
	Project Management Tools Reviews Project Management on the Fly Project Management Software (Oracle's White Paper Library) Project Management Tools for Linux Project Management Tools Recap Representative Project Management Tools (Software Magazine) pros, cons, conclusions Web-based Project Management Project Meets Portal Methods & Tools - the free PDF and HTML e-newsletter for software engineering and application development professionals Web based Project Management Software Directory Directory of web-based software for project management, bug tracking, timesheet and payroll, help desk and call center, calendar and scheduling.
	Mainstream Microsoft Project Critical Software WBS & Pert Graphing WBS Chart Pro Create and display your Microsoft Project plans quickly and easily using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) chart. Microsoft Project 2003 Homepage Trial Microsoft Project CD Tools for Project Managers The Project Map: your roadmap to project management Microsoft 2003 Industry Templates Project 2003: Which Offering is Right for You? MSProject.com Microsoft Project MVP Page This is the place for information on all versions of Microsoft Project. Microsoft Project - Tutorials (Penn State) MS Project Users Group Steelray provides a simple and easy way to view and communicate Microsoft Project information over the web. Woody's Project Watch Newletters Scitor PS Suite™ PS8, Project Communicator 3, PSI (SAP interface) SuperProject 5.0 has been discontinued SureTrak Project Manager (from Primervera) TurboProject CAN-PLAN (FREE) Project Management Software Rational Concepts web-based project management tools
	Project Schedulers Plan & Progress Tracker based on Microsoft Excel FastTrack Schedule 8.0 Milestones Project Kickstart Visio ConceptDraw Project Easily Create Gantt Charts and PERT Charts for Project Management!
	Oracle Project Management Tools The Oracle E-Business Suite Projects family of applications bridges operations and corporate finance so you can manage the full lifecycle of every project.
	Linux/Unix Project Management Tools Achievo.org Makes use of open standards and protocols (free) AMS Realtime Projects for Linux BSCW Version 4 Call Center, Bug Tracking and Project Management Tools for Linux EPIware is an off-the-shelf Internet application that provides affordable project and document management solutions for individuals, organizations, and companies FUTURe is project management software written in Java. It is a single user planning tool/Netscape applet with automatic leveling, Gantt Chart, Pert Charts, Resource charts, Todo lists, Calendars, and Day and Year planners. Kplato (PLAnning TOol) KSH/CGI Events Calendar OpenProject Project Management Software for Linux OPENSCHED project scheduling software for Linux Open Source Development Network - Project Management Mr Project PMTool Project Management Tools that run on Linux from Linux Online! Projector 1.0 PyGantt reads a project description from a xml formatted file and outputs a html Gantt diagram. SourceForge.Net TeamSCOPE is Team Software for Collaborative Project Environments, a web-based collaboration tool and is designed to be installed under Debian GNU/Linux. ToutDoux is a project manager for GNOME XPlan is tool for project planning and scheduling. It is very similar in idea and concept to MS Project
	Project Management Programs - High-End ITI ProjectView is web enabled Project Management software for the Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical, and Construction industries. Open Plan Professional's Helper Project InVision delivers the leading IT Services Automation solution, offering end-to-end lifecycle management for portfolio analysis, program management, and production support. Primavera Project and Portfolio Management Products
	Project Management Software for for Apple Computers Apple Project Management Tools Goldenseal, from Turtle Creek Software www.turtlesoft.com, is integrated accounting software, business management, estimating and project management software for Macintosh and Windows computers. Goldenseal helps you to run the business side of your small business. It uses "real world" accounts and transactions, which makes it easy to learn, and easy to use.
	Project Management Tools used with Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Project 2003 Homepage Open Plan Project Kickstart Automation Centre project collaboration software solutions for today's leading email platforms - TrackerOffice® for Microsoft Outlook/ Exchange Sales & Project Tracking (Portal Software) VAKCER Project Tracker 2.1 Slipstick site A number of tools that enhance Outlook by providing connections to Exchange Server Public Folders, databases and other project and business process management applications. Some help desk applications included.
	Project Management Tools used with Lotus Notes Automation Centre offers project collaboration software solutions Tracker Suite® Lotus Notes/ Domino.
	Project Management Software for Palm Pilot and PDA's ProSera Punchlist Also see PDA section under StartWright's Mobile Computing page
	Project Management Software - Critical Chain Software Realization The Next Generation of Project Management Software™. Realization provides the only multi-project management software that acknowledges the uncertain reality of projects. Instead of using critical path approach, our software runs on a Critical Chain Engine™.
	Risk Management RiskyProject - Project Risk Management Software A project planning, quantitative risk analysis, and performance measurement software that project managers can use to plan and implement project with multiple risks and uncertainties.
	Web-based Project Management (Also see StartWright's Team Groupware page) @View "Your virtual project center" Axista.com XCOLLA >> Intuitive project management software for team collaboration BPS Corporation BPS Project™ is a completely web based project management solution, ideal for dynamic, real world projects. BPS Project™ brings all project participants together in a live, collaborative environment. BPS Project™ has the unique ability to unify and visualize the status and impact of all key deliverables in your organization at the strategic and portfolio level. BPS Project™ is perfect for virtual or distributed teams who need access to documents, schedules and project status. Bricsnet ProjectCenter "a secure environment for project collaboration via the Internet" Business Engine Network is a fully integrated, project, resource and budget management suite Citadon's Collaborative Project Management Tools ProjectNet, ProjectNet Process, ProjectNet L.T. eProject - Project Management Software eProject is the leader in web-based project management. Entry.projects v2.7 "an easy to use high speed web-based collaborative project management software solution designed for professional services organizations" eRealize™ provides a Web based service to organize business operations online. It offers executives and managers a simple means to align people, projects and key activities according to the results needed. It allows everyone to understand how they fit in, how things are progressing and what issues need attention. Unlike costly enterprise software that focuses on technical management and complex methodologies, eRealize focuses on results as it helps organize and manage the effort required to realize business objectives. FX-Project - Projekt-Management Projekt-Management im Internet GRAN PM is an open source/gated source web-based project management software, which unites in a single product a task management system, a bug tracking software and employee timesheet tracking. icTracker is a compact, easy-to-learn, web-based project management software that helps any business or work group define projects, assign tasks and sub-tasks, streamline work flow, communicate among team members, assure accountability, track problems, store documents, manage important links, keep records, and generate reports. IdeaWeavers Infowit Creative Manager "the only project management solution built exclusively for creative and design firms. Customizable and modular, Infowit adapts to your business: Estimating, Tracking, Client Review, Assets, Prospecting, and more! iTeamWork "a free Web-based project-management tool for anyone who needs to manage multiple projects or teams". IT Square SquareWorks Project Management Tools MediaLot Project Management Tools NexPrise OfficeTool OnLinePM.com onProject.com "an Internet workspace that allows you to share and manage information associated with projects and their related tasks" Our Project Web services for Project Management Plan On The Net.com browser based tool PlanPack "it's easy and free" PowerSteering "Web-enable the collaborative work and management of your extended enterprise. Project Desk is an online project and task management tool which provides a virtual workspace to communicate effectively between team members located globally and locally. Project NUCLEUS - Web based project collaboration, control and management solution; executive dashboards projectplace.com a professional application service where project participants collaborate; a virtual office Projux provides the tools to streamline the business administration behind project work. Generate invoices and reports, track time and expenses, and establish contracts quickly through the collaborative online application. RationalConcepts Proj-Net A virtual project office (VPO) for collaboration and communication I-Schedule Web-Based Planning & Resource Management I-Cost Web-Based Cost Management Remote Collaboration Tool (RCT) SAME-PAGE.COM Online Project Management Software, Task Management And Issue Reporting Tools speeDEV is a complete Web-based environment, designed to allow all the participants in a Software Project to participate and exchange information about the Project. SuperProject/Net 1.1 Web based Project Management a companion product to SuperProject and is an Internet/Intranet-enabled project management tool TeamCenter TrabaJunto is a collaboration tool for advertising agencies with online asset management and project management features. This groupware works as an intranet & extranet, allowing teams to communicate and coordinate activities in real time. TWikitm a flexible, powerful, and easy to use Web-based collaboration platform Vertabase "puts all the tools for effective project management in one place. It is powerful enough for executives and managers, and user-friendly for rapid adoption by an entire organization." WebProject "provides enterprise project management support for distributed organizations" Working Together, Apart The Web as Project Infrastructure WorkSolv "available only on a monthly subscription basis, allows project teams, subcontractors and clients to access project plans via Web browsers and wireless Palm connections" YZ Project Manager GoalScreen "The graphic interface for working with goals"
	Cost Estimation Cost Xpert "highly flexible, easy to use and well priced cost estimation tool that takes the guesswork out of cost and schedule estimations"
	Other Tools Mindjet used to brainstorm during initial project planning; quickly capture and organize ideas and information using an interface that is both easy to use and to understand; and concisely communicate even very complex information using a non-text-intensive visual format. TRUEreq offers a collaborative workspace for specifying and launching new products. It helps geographically dispersed constituents—product managers, project managers, designers, contract developers, marketing and sales executives, purchasing managers, ad agencies, PR firms, QA managers, and patent attorneys—compress time and increase accountability. TRUEreq's easy-to-use Web-based approach and economic pricing model make it easy for companies to easily get started. Currently we are offering 3 free full featured user licenses. This gives the managers the ability to experience for themselves the power of TRUEreq.
	Project Management - Germany / Projektmanagement - Deutschland Tampier Software - Systemhaus für Projektmanagement A system house for project management with many years of experience (since 1985) as well as the sales and maintenance of program products (ACOS PLUS.1, ACOS WEB, ACOS Compact, Ado x, Sygate Firewall, Sygate Office network, Sygate Home network, Pop Connect)