8apps: Social Networking for Productive People

Saturday January 27th 2007, 8:45 pm

Written by: Brian Benzinger

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8apps, productivity, social, network

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Last year I had selected the task management solution Orchestrate as a top pick in 25 To Do Lists to Stay Productive. Now Tokyo based startup Jonkenpon, creator of Orchestrate, has launched a service called 8apps which aims to be a social network for productive people. The idea is to create a community where users can not only meet new people but work with them in a suite of productivity based applications. There are currently three applications available in the 8apps suite with five more to come. The first three applications are Handshake, Orchestrate and Blueprint offering social networking, task management and brainstorming. In a blog post announcing 8apps, Jonkenpon explains that they do not plan on competing with offerings such as 37signals or Google Docs but rather fill in the gaps where they lack in productivity with a suite of small, focused applications.

What makes 8apps special is the concept of applications within a social network. Essentially, it’s a social network that you join to be more productive. It may sound strange at first, but I think 8apps is onto something. The 8apps social network is called Handshake and serves as a place to connect with co-workers, meet new people, and show your stuff. Any user that you connect with in Handshake can ultimately collaborate with you in any 8apps application. You can, for example, search for a developer to connect with and brainstorm about a possible project together without leaving the site. In fact, someone has already come in contact with Tim, one of our editors, for possible design work. Not bad considering that we’ve only been registered to 8apps for a week!

Handshake consists of all the basic features that you would expect to find in a social network. You can customize your profile, browse through user profiles, send messages to contacts, and add comments to your contacts profiles. The profiles themselves are very minimal, but one nice feature is the ability to append your websites RSS feed to your profile. There’s also a neat skills graph in the right column showing a users level in experience, teamwork, ability, ideas and speed based on contact votes (you can’t vote for yourself). Additionally, Handshake has a Groups section where users can go to discuss any given topic and meet new people.

The next application in the suite is a task management solution called Orchestrate. 8apps co-founder Jon Yongfook Cockle had created Orchestrate as a standalone application early last year and has since decided to merge it into the 8apps suite. It’s a unique task manager that allows users to create and view multiple tasks lists in one workspace and set focus to specific lists when needed. You also have the ability to color code task lists and share them with your contacts. What I find to be especially neat is how you can quickly create a task list for any project you create in 8apps. Meaning, if I were to create a project in the brainstorming application, I can optionally create a task list to go along with it in one click.

Blueprint is 8apps brainstorming application. It’s an interesting application that allows you to quickly jot down your ideas in a free-form like fashion as well as brainstorm collaboratively with others around the 8apps network. You can add keywords, links and bodies of text to your Blueprint workspace and drag each item around organizing them whichever way works best for you. I spent some time with Matt and Tim (Solution Watch editors) in a Blueprint project called “8apps Review” and found it to be quite helpful in passing around our thoughts. Though I didn’t see Blueprint’s true potential until given the opportunity to join a project by the founder of 8apps. There were around nine people in the brainstorm and everyone was sharing their ideas for an application. It was pretty neat to see such collaboration from random users around the 8apps network.

8apps has only launched its private beta two weeks ago, but I feel it’s already off to a great start. What appeals to me most is how a user can meet someone in the social network and immediately start working on a project together. I also had a great time using the brainstorming application with my friends and found it to be quite helpful. But there are still some rough edges around the existing applications. For starters, the Mail section in Handshake does not have a send mail option (you can send mail by going to a contacts profile) and you can’t view previously sent mail. Also, Blueprint lacks real-time updating of items and automatically pushes around comments between pages when least needed.

If you are interested in trying out the private beta of 8apps, feel free to reach me for an invite - I have 17 invites remaining. Webware also has a nice writeup on 8apps and some invites to handout. (via Mashable)

101 Comments

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# 1. Dennis on Jan 27, 2007 at 9:36 pm

I would love to have an invite.

# 2. Jon on Jan 27, 2007 at 9:48 pm

Brian, thanks for the awesome write-up!

# 3. Seth C on Jan 27, 2007 at 9:55 pm

I too would love an invite.

# 4. Brian Knoblock on Jan 27, 2007 at 10:17 pm

Great post, and I would love an invite.

Thanks!

# 5. Jason C on Jan 27, 2007 at 10:34 pm

Sounds interesting, and I’m wondering how it compares to the other offerings. If you have any invites let, I’ll gladly accept one.

# 6. Nick on Jan 27, 2007 at 10:54 pm

Brian, interesting review of 8apps…the Blueprint and Orchestrate apps sound very very interesting! I’d love to try them out if you still have an invitation available.

thx and keep up the good work in bringing these sites to our attention –

# 7. Craig S. on Jan 27, 2007 at 11:56 pm

I would love an invite!

Great post! When I see a new post on Solution Watch I always read it.

# 8. Brian Benzinger on Jan 28, 2007 at 12:36 am

@Dennis, Seth, Brian, Jason, Nick, and Crag - I’ve sent you all invites. If you didn’t get them, let me know. Thanks and be sure to look me up on 8apps! Enjoy!

# 9. John W on Jan 28, 2007 at 12:45 am

I would love an invite! This would be a great app to use in my classes with my students! (Talk about needing to collaborate and organize…)

# 10. c zheng on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:25 am

This sounds quite promising… if you’ve got any invites left, I’d certainly appreciate one.

# 11. James P on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:25 am

If you’ve still got any invites left I’d like to try it out.

Thanks

James

# 12. Brian Benzinger on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:28 am

@John, Zheng, and James - Sent you all invites. Thanks and enjoy!

# 13. erwin blom on Jan 28, 2007 at 2:59 am

I would love an invite!

# 14. Manfred on Jan 28, 2007 at 3:19 am

wow, nice app. I would love to have an invite1

# 15. IronMAN on Jan 28, 2007 at 3:28 am

nice application… if you’ve got any invites left, I would love one.

# 16. Brian Benzinger on Jan 28, 2007 at 3:31 am

@Erwin, Manfred, and IronMAN - Sent the invites. Enjoy and see you on 8apps.

# 17. peteremcc on Jan 28, 2007 at 4:19 am

thats for reviewing this, it certainly looks interesting and I’d love an invite.

Thanks

# 18. IronMAN on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:04 am

thanks for invitation!

# 19. Ran on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:24 am

Hey brian, great post. Would love to get an invite as well!

# 20. keith bohanna on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:25 am

Looks fascinating - yes please if that offer is still open :-)

keith

# 21. Nick on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:29 am

I would be interest in an invite. After the previous article on task lists, I went through most of them and had a look in order to set up one for myself. Mainly to get arround the problem with corporate firewalls that don’t allow you access to gmail and other useful apps. Its is such a pain when you cannot access everything from any computer. In the end I went with Remember the milk.

This does look useful, and I’d love to have a go

# 22. Jon on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:40 am

Just a reminder - everyone who joins 8apps gets 20 invites to send out, so even if Brian runs out of invites just post a comment back here and I’m sure one of the other readers will be able to help you out.

Cheers
Jon

# 23. Kelly Hair on Jan 28, 2007 at 7:17 am

I’d appreciate having an invite as well.

Thanks!

# 24. Robert Jackson on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:31 am

Any invites left? If so - I would love one also.

# 25. tim malbon on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:40 am

This sounds really interesting. Please - if it’s not too cheeky to as - send me an invite as well. Ta.

# 26. andre taliercio on Jan 28, 2007 at 11:15 am

Hello Brian, would love to have an invite too. Thank you.

# 27. Gonzague on Jan 28, 2007 at 11:36 am

Hi,

Would love an invite aswell

# 28. Arif on Jan 28, 2007 at 11:48 am

I would love an invite!

# 29. Bugis on Jan 28, 2007 at 12:22 pm

8apps looks good.
I doubt there are any invitations left. WOuld appreciate greately an invitation (at least from those you invited) :)

take care,

/bugis

# 30. Brian Benzinger on Jan 28, 2007 at 12:47 pm

Whew! Tim allowed me to use up his 8apps invites. Cleaned up my account and now Tim has… 10 invites left.

@Ran, Keith, Nick, Kelly, Robert, Tim, Andre, Gonzague, Arif, and Bugis - You all should have received an invite. See you on 8apps! Thanks!

# 31. MIke on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:02 pm

Would also love an invite!

# 32. Ken Walker on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:48 pm

+1 on an invite, please. :)

# 33. johnnysoko on Jan 28, 2007 at 1:52 pm

I’d like an invite…thanks!

# 34. Kevin on Jan 28, 2007 at 2:27 pm

Thanks for your write-up. If there are any invites left, I’d appreciate one.

# 35. Joe Miller on Jan 28, 2007 at 3:04 pm

Love an invite if there is one left. I am always trying to find the right apps to introduce students to in our district.

Joe

# 36. keith bohanna on Jan 28, 2007 at 3:38 pm

Thanks for that Brian :-)

# 37. Rich on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:21 pm

I know this is someone that merits further review…I would certainly like an invite to give it a try. Thanks and best…Rich

# 38. halans on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:23 pm

I hate to get on my knees and beg, but…
any invites left, pweeeze?
Thanks anyway

# 39. raj tome on Jan 28, 2007 at 5:36 pm

i use synapselife.com which currently has 9 applications that work with my existing social networks via their tool bar.

# 40. Aaron Ross Powell on Jan 28, 2007 at 6:10 pm

On the offhand chance that there are any more invites available, I’d love to get my hands on one. Thanks.

# 41. Steven Bao on Jan 28, 2007 at 8:48 pm

Heh, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get an invite.

However, I’ll post my email so if anyone gets any invites, could you share? :)

steve /-at-/ stevenbao /-dot-/ com

# 42. Chris FR on Jan 28, 2007 at 8:52 pm

Well, if it isn’t too late, I would like an invite too :)

Cheers,
-C.

# 43. Vista on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:24 pm

I’m late.

But I would like to have an invite.

Thanks.

# 44. Brian Benzinger on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:49 pm

I cleaned out all of Tim’s invites, so now I’m on to Matt’s invites! So, for those of you that think you’re too late, it’s all good ;-).

@Mike, Ken, Johnny, Kevin, Joe, Keith, Rich, Halans, Aaron, Steven, Chris, and Vista - Sent you all invites. See you on 8apps.

# 45. Scott Hurff on Jan 28, 2007 at 10:47 pm

Can you hook me up still? Thanks guys.

# 46. Robby on Jan 28, 2007 at 11:48 pm

Are there any invites still available? I would love one!

# 47. Anne H on Jan 29, 2007 at 12:28 am

I would also be interested in an invite if available. Seems like an interesting concept that I would like to explore.

# 48. Harshadewa on Jan 29, 2007 at 4:50 am

Please invite me as well…. :)

harshadewa@gmail.com

# 49. Eugene Cook on Jan 29, 2007 at 11:03 am

I would definitely appreciate an invite! Thanks a million!

# 50. AlexDB on Jan 29, 2007 at 12:27 pm

Would be great, please invite me!

# 51. Matt Taylor on Jan 29, 2007 at 2:39 pm

Would love an invite, I really like where these guys are headed.

# 52. sharnav on Jan 29, 2007 at 2:50 pm

Would someone please forward me an invite. Thanks.

# 53. Barry Tallis on Jan 29, 2007 at 3:34 pm

Would love an invite as well. Thanks in advance!

# 54. TJ on Jan 29, 2007 at 7:15 pm

Would love an invite if there are any left, …pretty please.

# 55. Michael Vu on Jan 29, 2007 at 8:32 pm

Please send me an invitation as well, thank you!

# 56. Faheem on Jan 30, 2007 at 3:23 am

Wow, this sounds great. I would love an invite too. Thanks.

# 57. Pepa007 on Jan 30, 2007 at 4:29 am

Could anyone invite me please? Thanx a lot!

# 58. Pepa007 on Jan 30, 2007 at 4:33 am

…and my email address is newsletterbox@centrum.cz

thanks again

# 59. BBC on Jan 31, 2007 at 12:59 pm

I would LOVE an invite! mark at surf.as

# 60. Bugis on Jan 31, 2007 at 2:17 pm

@Brian

just checked my email and have not seen an invitation. Any chance to get it again?

cheers,

# 61. Philip Seyfi on Jan 31, 2007 at 3:08 pm

Interesting webapp… Could you please send me an invite to seifip@centrum.cz :) Thnx

# 62. Jesper Winblad on Feb 03, 2007 at 11:28 am

Solution Watch i nowadays my nr1 morningcoffesite! I alwatys read it with my morningcoffe! Great site!

Well i guess you dont have any invites left to 8apps, but if you do i would love one!8 apps seems like the kind ogf solution i am looking for!

Cheers
Jesper

# 63. Jesper Winblad on Feb 03, 2007 at 11:29 am

jesperwinblad@gmail.com for email.

# 64. ABND on Feb 04, 2007 at 6:44 pm

Would also like an invite if someone can spare one. Thanks!

abnd2468@yahoo.com

# 65. conmiweb on Feb 05, 2007 at 5:11 pm

Hi I need an invite, please! conmiweb(et)gmail.com

Thanks!

# 66. ethang on Feb 06, 2007 at 2:48 pm

If anyone has an extra invite I’d appreciate it: nospam[at]crawfunk.com - Thanks!

# 67. Vinod Ponmanadiyil on Feb 07, 2007 at 2:45 am

Any Invite left?!
TIA

# 68. Frank MC on Feb 07, 2007 at 3:10 pm

great article - if there are any invites left, would love to check this one out.

# 69. Jon Carico on Feb 10, 2007 at 7:59 pm

I would love an invite too! Thanks. :)

-Jon Carico

# 70. Praful Mathur on Feb 10, 2007 at 9:32 pm

if you have invites, i’d like one too. great post!

# 71. mark vernon on Feb 11, 2007 at 10:30 pm

If you still have invites left I would appreciate one - thanks very much!

# 72. Burke W on Feb 12, 2007 at 12:19 pm

Good write-up. If you still have invites left, I’d like to give it a whirl.

# 73. Alston Ho on Feb 16, 2007 at 1:31 pm

I would love to give 8apps a try. Do you have any invites left? Thanks in advance! -Alston

# 74. Tomas on Feb 16, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Could anyone send me an invite? Thank you.
Tomas
lokativ(at)gmail(dot)com

# 75. Morten on Feb 21, 2007 at 7:05 am

This looks indeed very interesting and useful.
I would very much like an invite please.

/Morten

# 76. ysbstn on Feb 21, 2007 at 6:21 pm

sounds great… any invite left? Thanks. And Brian keep on this SW thing!

# 77. Justin Kistner on Feb 23, 2007 at 7:28 am

I’m sure you do not have any invites left, but I thought I would post that I’d like one anyway. I have some invites to Virb.com if anyone wants to trade. :)

jusdrum at gmail

# 78. eintomur on Feb 27, 2007 at 2:36 am

can i ask for an invite please? if there are any left, that is.. =D

# 79. Joe on Feb 27, 2007 at 6:35 pm

Anymore invites for 8apps? Thanks

# 80. Rishi on Feb 28, 2007 at 11:20 pm

If anyone has invites from planixonline.com I will trade you with an invite for 8 apps.
Email me at rishi at leprotege dot net

# 81. Kevin W. on Mar 01, 2007 at 9:04 am

Very good review.

I would like to try it out if anyone has an invite left.

L L s L i m at hotmail.com

# 82. shennyg on Mar 02, 2007 at 3:12 pm

I would really appreciate an invite.

deshayne[+AT+]hawaii[dot]edu

I got a joost account, can trade invite when I get them….

shen

# 83. Dias on Mar 12, 2007 at 8:17 am

Hi, thanks for informative article, seems to be very interesting, especially Blueprint. ^_^

If you (or somebody else) have still some invites I’d be glad to receive one, thanks.

diasfx at gmail.com

# 84. mischievous on Mar 19, 2007 at 9:37 am

Any Invites Left?

# 85. Phil Kingston on Mar 26, 2007 at 8:32 am

Hi, I work in a theatre collective that due to low income and high ideals means a lot of us end up working office jobs. 8Apps sounds like a great way to keep the collective project on the boil during our day jobs. Any invites left?

# 86. Dean on Mar 30, 2007 at 12:10 am

Brian- Any invites left as I’d love to have one. Thanks again.

# 87. nonna on Apr 04, 2007 at 12:52 am

any one has invites, I’d love to have one
thanks

# 88. Chad on Apr 25, 2007 at 11:04 am

I wish I stayed up on all my feed reading! Would love an invite, if anyone has one.

# 89. Swoopey on May 14, 2007 at 9:35 pm

Invite oneigaishimasuuuu (please)

# 90. hani on May 21, 2007 at 3:52 am

Heya thanks for the lovely write up! I’d love an invite for 8apps if you have any left. misshani[at]gmail.com! thanks!

# 91. whitzat on May 29, 2007 at 2:23 pm

sweet