I’ve been using protoshare, a Web-based tool for building site maps and wireframes, for about a week now.
In some ways, protoshare is a lot like Google Docs. It works directly in the browser; uses sophisticated technology to emulate desktop-based features and functions; and allows for collaboration between team members and clients.
In other ways it is, frustratingly, not like Google Docs. For example, protoshare does not seem to support most keyboard commands the way Docs does. In addition, it does not work on Safari. Some tools are a little less than intuitive, and some rich Web features like overlays and modals windows are nearly impossible to create.
And, most unlike Google Docs, protoshare is pricey. The basic license which supports two user / collaborators, runs about $30 per month.
Nonetheless, protoshare has great promise. I hope the developers continue to refine its features and interactivity, and consider a more modest pricing structure. In the meantime, I plan to try at least one client project using the tool to see if it’s ready for prime time.
Tags: information architecture, prototyping, Software, tools, wireframes
While protoshare is an excellent solution, for a variety of reasons I decided not to move beyond the trial version of protoshare at the point in time.
Shortly after making this decision, I received a pleasant email from a representative asking for my opinions about the product, and what they could do to improve it. I wrote some thoughts, and received an equally gracious and helpful reply. In it, he acknowledged some of the drawbacks I’d noticed, explained others, and overall said he’d hope to win me back in time.
This is the kind of customer service that’s a bit of a rarity these days, and it guarantees that I will, in fact, check in with the folks at protoshare when the need for their product arises again.