Finding the Perfect App for That

by Brian Casel  ·  10.27.2009  ·  Bits

Among web workers, we’ve seen a rising obsession with “apps”, particularly “Getting Things Done”, a.k.a. GTD apps.  Web apps, desktop apps, iPhone apps… They’re guided by the idea of being useful but simple and focused on a targeted need, or problem.

Our choices in apps are often very personal, and sometimes the tiniest detail can make or break our decision to download or purchase it.  The more apps we consume, the more we continue to search that perfect app for our need, our style, our work flow.

Here are some apps I use regularly and why I’m only 99% satisfied with each:

Things for mac + iPhone

Picture 1

Things for Mac & iPhone

It’s a great to-do list app.  I love the simple and clean design.  It’s not overloaded with features and buttons, leaving only the ones that I find useful.  I use this app to keep track of all my upcoming tasks for various projects.  I use their ‘projects’ feature to sort by client (projects = clients).  This way it separates my lists nicely by client.

Why it’s not perfect

Syncing is a pain.  I have the Things iPhone app, but the only way to sync it to my Things desktop app is to physically bring my iPhone into the same wi-fi network as my computer, then open both the iPhone app and Desktop app simultaneously.  Not ideal.  Why can’t I just enter tasks on my iPhone when I’m out, and know that they will show up as soon as I launch Things on my computer?  Or let me email tasks to my Things app when I’m out.  Or have a web-based counterpart to sync it.  Something!

Basecamp

Basecamp from 37 Signals

Basecamp from 37 Signals

Basecamp is the most popular project / team management web-app out there.  I recently signed up for an account (did you know that if you start with the free account, then click upgrade from within basecamp, they offer you a $12/month option, which is not listed on their website? Makes pricing a bit more reasonable).

It’s really a fantastic web-app with a super-simple interface.  It’s so easy to pick up right from your first log in, which makes it great when I need to give a colleague access and they’ve never used it before.  I love the hover over link color and nice CSS padding set on every link and button.  Makes everything have a fun and workable feel to it.

Why it’s not perfect

Some people love it, but I’m not a fan of Textile formatting.  That is the method of input for all messages, comments, textarea inputs.  I’m slowly getting used to it, but I’d love to see more formatting options (I found this Firefox plugin, which adds formatting options to basecamp, but it doesn’t work 100% of the time).  When writing long messages (such as detailed task instructions for contractors), better formatting options would make for a more legible message.  Then, tasks are easier to follow and work flow is improved.  And speaking of writing long messages in basecamp…

How about saving drafts?  I’m surprised this is not a feature.  Right now, as I type out messages I keep open a TextEdit doc to constantly paste what I’ve got so far, save it and keep going.  Otherwise, with one wrong click in the browser, everything I’ve got can be lost (Frustrating!  I know from experience.  Several times.)  Autosave drafts please.

Google Reader + Byline for iPhone

Byline iPhone

Byline iPhone

Google Reader is pretty damn near perfect in my opinion.  It’s a fantastic RSS Reader, with nice folder features, starring, sharing, etc.  I love GReader and RSS feeds in general so much that I need to have constant access on iPhone.  The mobile Google reader is OK (a little slow), but as a New Yorker, I have a unique but very important requirement:  I need access to my feeds when I’m in the subway, underground.  In fact, this is when I most need my feeds.

Enter, Byline.  An iPhone app that syncs my Google Reader feeds to my iPhone and downloads the article content to the phone so I can read it later when I’m not connected.  It’s a great app, and in my opinion worth the $10 price tag.  I like how it separates feeds by folder, and starring articles syncs both ways.

Why it’s not perfect

Downloading articles is too slow and unreliable.  The only way I can have a full batch of new articles to read when I’m underground is if I start my iPhone sync hours before I leave the house.  The ideal solution would be to sync articles in the background, all the time.  Keep the most recent 50 articles, delete the rest.  I’m sure this limitation is caused more by the iPhone and crappy 3G service from AT&T.  but that doesn’t make me crave recent RSS feeds any less when I’m stuck underground between subway stops.

iTrans NYC

iTrans iPhone

iTrans iPhone

Here’s another crucial app for New Yorkers.  It has changed my subway navigation experience for ever.  One of the most mind-numbingly boring things about living in New York is waiting for subways to arrive.  As far as subway systems go, NYC metro is still in the stone age.  We show up on the train platform and hope that a train is only minutes away (which too often is not the case).

iTrans solves this problem perfectly.  The app has the entire NYC subway schedule programmed in, so you can simply click on the station (from the map) and view when the next 5 trains are scheduled to arrive.  It covers every single subway line.  It works completely without internet connection.  Now I walk down to a platform, and know if the next train is 2 minutes or 20 minutes away.  Now I know whether to go for the local train or choose to wait for the express train.  Now I can plan my next subway transfer perfectly.  This app is a gem.

Why it’s not perfect

Honestly, this app is perfect.  There.  I said it.  What’s not perfect is the NYC subway system.  Delays and train traffic cause trains to go off schedule sometimes, making the iTrans app ineffective.  But I’ve been truly surprised at how accurate it is for the most part, or how close it comes.

Battle Climate Change With… Change.

by Brian Casel  ·  10.15.2009  ·  Bits, Opinion

And now for an off-topic rant (in support of Blog Action Day 2009)…

www.blogactionday.org

www.blogactionday.org

As an American, I have to say I am sorely disappointed with my country’s stance on climate change.  I see this as both the gravest problem and the biggest opportunity of our generation.  And we’re blowing it.  Big time.

We can all join hands and boycott plastic bottles, drive Toyotas, and use energy efficient light bulbs all we want.  But that really doesn’t attack the issue.  That stuff is just a drop in the bucket.

What we need (now!) is change. Real, concrete, binding government legislation that both caps our consumption and rebuilds our country’s infrastructure for energy efficiency.  I’m not seeing that.  I’m seeing waffling, compromise, propaganda, and politics.

I thought I voted for change a year ago when I cast my ballot for Barack Obama.  And I don’t mean to pile on here, but I’m not satisfied with the state of our country’s green revolution (or lack thereof).  I never expected to be out of our 2 wars by now.  I never expected health care reform to be passed by now.  I didn’t expect to be out of this recession by now.  Those are tough issues with loads of hurdles.

What I did expect within Obama’s first year was game-changing revolution on the climate change front.  What did we get?  A bill that promises 17% (not enough) reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.  2020?! 11 years from now?!  Are you f-ing kidding me?!

We were able to land a man on the moon within 1 year of John F. Kennedy announcing it.  Today, when it comes to making any type of progress, we only take baby steps (if we take any steps at all).  This political climate gets more and more frustrating every day.

Here are a few observations from a non-expert (me):

  • Isn’t most of our country’s land massive fields of wind?  We should be capturing that energy, spreading it, and selling it.  We’re not.
  • The core of our problems in the middle east is related to our dependence on oil.  Is it not?
  • 10% of our country is unemployed today.  Wouldn’t a real green revolution put these people back to work?

This problem needs real change on all levels.  But I think my hope is wearing thin.

10 Reasons Why List Posts Are Useless

by Brian Casel  ·  10.13.2009  ·  Opinion

1. Quantity, not quality

The number one goal of a list blog post is to deliver as many bits of something as possible.  Doesn’t matter useful/interesting/noteworthy those bits are, as long as they’re there.

2. List posts are self-serving

Blog authors publish list posts hoping it will drive massive traffic and go viral on social bookmarking sites like Digg.  That’s the underlying purpose behind them: To serve their own traffic numbers, and not deliver real, useful information to their readers.

3. Lack of research

Anyone can google for “photography tips”.  Do we really need 1,000 blogs doing the googling and listing of search results for us?

4. Over-generalized

I’ve seen a list-post titled “300 Photoshop tutorials”.  How is this helpful?  There are probably 1,000 different features in Photoshop, which serve 1,000 different uses.  If I’m in search of a good article on how to color correct a photo, chances are I won’t find it in this list post.

5. List posts are so 2008

Blgging exploded in 2007-2008.  That was the golden-era of the list post.  They’re still around today, but we tend to tune them out more in 2009.  At least I do.

6. No way to learn a new skill

If you want to learn a new skill,  you should consult a single article or tutorial covering that topic.  One well-written article with illustrations or a well-produced video screencast is a much better/faster way to find the info you’re looking for.

7. Lazy writing for lazy readers

Blogging is about serving your readers with something worth-while.  The best blogs are the ones that take the time to research, outline, edit, refine, re-read, and perfect before hitting publish. Compiling list posts doesn’t require much thought, skill, or analysis.  Reading list posts involves scanning the page for bits of what you’re looking for, usually to no avail.

8. All about the title

List posts are all about the title, and not about the content.  Don’t get me wrong, coming up with an interesting, click-worthy title for your blog post is a very important part of the craft.  But it only pays off if there is a solid article to back it up.

9. Poor link-bait

The irony of the list post is that authors publish them to draw traffic.  But we all know that the best way to get traffic to your blog article is when others link to it.  Nobody links to list posts.  Well, maybe if they’re posting an article titled “101 list-posts to waste your afternoon”.

10. Fluff to reach a nice round number

Most of the time, list posts don’t truly deliver on the number they promise in the title.  But they still want to reach “10″ or “100″ so they fill up items with fluff just to get there.

Thanks, but no thanks.

The Secret to Finding & Keeping Clients

by Brian Casel  ·  10.8.2009  ·  Business

“How do you get clients?”

I get asked that a lot.  Usually from other web designers who are considering but afraid to make the plunge into self-employment.  Signing clients and keeping a steady flow of business may seem like the it’s the hardest part about freelancing.

It’s not.

Client acquisition is not as hard as it seems.  It’s important.  It’s crucial to your success.  But it’s not something to deter you in your quest to professional freedom.  It’s actually a lot easier than you think.

Want to know the answer?

Reliability

Potential clients might say (or imply) that they’re looking for the best portfolio out there.  Or they’re only willing to pay a certain price.  Or they want someone who specializes in flash-based websites.

What they’re really looking for, whether they know it themselves or not, is reliability.  They want to know you’re up to the task, that you communicate clearly, and that their project is in good hands.  They will hire you because you convey that you’re reliable right from day 1.  They will stick with you because you prove a track record of delivering A+ results on time, every time.

Where to find clients?

The best answer is to let clients find you.  Referrals.  It’s the name of the game in web design (and almost any other freelance field).  These days, just about all of my clients come to me through referrals.  Here’s how it happens:

Word of Mouth

Most referrals come to me without much work on my part at all (other than being known as a reliable web designer).  My current and past clients can confidently pass my name along to their colleagues who say they’re in search for a web designer.  My former co-workers and fellow contractors refer work to me because we’ve had a good working relationship.  Even my former boss from my old 9-5 consistently refers clients to me because I left on good terms, and I have delivered for him and each of those referrals.

Email Marketing

I recently began sending out a monthly email newsletter to keep in touch with my network.  It’s not for drumming up business with hot promotional offers.  It’s not for showing off my portfolio of work.  The purpose of my newsletter is to:

  • Demonstrate my expertise through written articles and tips.
  • Stay in touch with (but not annoy) my network so that I remain at the front of their mind if/when someone they know is looking for a web designer.
  • Inform them of new developments and new services / capabilities I offer to my clients.
  • Demonstrate that I go the extra mile with personal effort and attention.

Web Design Credit

This is something I do less often now than I used to.  For my smaller clients, I put a small link at the bottom of their site that says “Web Design by CasJam Media“.  Of course, this is only done with the consent of the client.  I’ve had new business come in through people visiting my website via these links.  They’re impressed with my client’s site or their business and decide to check me out.

But in the end, it’s not the quality of my client’s website or even my own website that sells them.  It’s when they come in contact with me and see that I give it to them strait and demonstrate my reliability.

Just starting out

Obviously, you can’t expect to have a steady stream of referral business when you’re just starting out.  I recommend finding work on job boards to build up a portfolio.  Check out a guest post I wrote at FreelanceSwitch, 10 simple steps to landing more gigs.  In it, I gave specific tips for effectively working the job boards plus other ideas.

However, if you rely solely on job boards and craigslist (not recommended) you’ll end up dealing with mostly bottom feeders – those looking for the cheapest web design solution possible.  You need to leverage your first few jobs to develop a strong network of referral business.  The sooner that happens, the more successful your freelance business will be.

Hope this helps.  Got any tips to add?

Your Work Day in 5 Years

by Brian Casel  ·  10.5.2009  ·  Bits, Opinion
It’s one of the most over-asked “big picture” questions: Where do you see yourself in X number of years?
Last week, I came across a good read, 22 Web People in Ten Years via the twitter stream (is Twitter is the new RSS?).  Gavin Elliot’s set of mini-interviews with web workers really gets me thinking… and excuse me if I get a little deep here…
It is truly an exciting time to be a web worker.  So many game changing developments are happening and we’re all a part of it.  Just as the web industry changes, so does each of our roles in it.
The evolution of the web – the technology, the culture – is constantly creating new opportunities for everyone.  Industries branch into new ones.  Collaboration across continents not only becomes possible, but embraced by the masses.  It really makes you question where the ride will take you next month, next year, and beyond.
Back up to the surface now… Here are 5 questions to contemplate about what you’ll be doing 5 years from now.  I added my own responses. Let’s hear your take on what the future holds for your web industry.

It’s one of the most over-asked “big picture” questions: Where do you see yourself in X number of years?

Last week, I came across a good read, 22 Web People in Ten Years via the twitter stream (is Twitter is the new RSS?).  Gavin Elliot’s set of mini-interviews with web workers really gets me thinking… and excuse me if I get a little deep here…

The evolution of the web – the technology, the culture – is constantly creating new opportunities for everyone.  Every year brings a new game-changing development in the web industry.  Businesses and niches branch into new ones.  Collaboration across continents is being embraced by the masses.  It really makes you question what you will be doing next month, next year, and beyond.

Freelancers, like many entrepreneurs, are obsessive planners.  But we can also be very fickle.  Our passions and inspirations can change unexpectedly, leading to new lines of work, new areas of expertise, and new collaborating partners.

Here are five questions to contemplate about what you will be doing five years from today.  I added my own responses.  Share yours and let us know what you think the future holds for your web industry.

1) Will the web still be the focal point of your business?

It’s hard imagine my work being disconnected from the web.  I expect to remain working with small businesses develop their online presence – whether that is web design, consultation, blogging, or selling web-related products.

However, one of my goals (sooner than 5 years) is to get out more.  Get away from the computer.  I mean in the professional world, meeting and networking with other web industry folks in person.  I hope this is a major part of what I do 5 years from now.

2) Will you be working solo or with others?

I love freelancing.  Love being my own boss, working from home, and setting my own hours.  But I’m not gonna lie, it can get lonely sometimes.

I have recently partnered with another freelance web worker on some projects.  It’s nice to collaborate on a joint venture, which is a refreshing change of pace for both of us.

5 years from now, I hope to be working closely with partners and co-workers, but remain detached from a 9-5 office environment.  That might mean working as part of a virtual team or in person but with flexible hours.  Hmm…

3) Will you be selling products, services, or both?

In my last post, I wrote about transitioning from serving clients to selling products.  It’s a tough jump to make, but one that seems to be popular choice.

I do hope things change for me in this area.  Designing for the web is still my passion, and will likely remain my passion 5 years from now.  But it might take the form of selling web-related products to a wider audience.  Another route might be advice/consultation, perhaps in the form of speaking and writing.

4) Will you be working more or less hours?

I am chronically busy right now, but I think that’s a problem mostly of my own making.  I take on many clients at once, and top it off with several personal projects.  What can I say?  I enjoy it.

But my hope is that 5 years from now, my work life is more organized and I leave a healthy amount of time to hang out, travel, and enjoy spending more time with those that are closest to me.

5) Where will you do most of your work?

Right now, I do most of my work on my home.  I need my main (desktop) computer for heavy design and development work.  I sometimes take out the laptop to work remotely, but I usually spend that time blogging and researching.

5 years from now, I expect to be less reliant on my home computer.  My business will evolve and expand to the point where my tasks can be handled from anywhere.  Mobile computing will be much more powerful, allowing me to get real power work done when I’m on the road or traveling abroad.

Over to you…

On October 5th, 2014, what will you be doing?

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