37signals Product Blog

Google Chrome Extension lets you create new reminders in Backpack

ChromeReminders is a Google Chrome Extension that lets you create new reminders in your Backpack account.

I use Backpack (37signals) reminders all the time to push out tasks and todos into the future. This Chrome extension allows you to create reminders without leaving your current webpage.

To configure the extension to work with your Backpack account, install the extension, then inside Google Chrome go into Extensions>Options and enter your Token for the Backpack API which can be found in Backpack > My Info (see screenshot).

Why the Backpack Journal is "killer"

In this blog post, Sam Harrelson talks about why the Backpack Journal is "killer":

I'm going back to Backpack for workflow management. The web interface is fantastic (and familiar), I can easily email in material, create seperate pages, feel secure, integrate easily with GMail, Google Calendar and be completely web-based. 

However, the killer app Backpack has going for it is the Journal feature:

I'm using it for product management, status updates to myself and as a "private twitter" etc. It's like the anti-social bookmarketing site Pinboard for micro-messaging.

The article also raves about Satchel, which brings Backpack to your iPhone.

Yes, [Satchel] costs $10, but it's well worth the price. Satchel is speedy, works "offline" (whatever that means anymore), and intuitive. I can also easily update my Journal through Satchel. Plus, there are hacks and apps for getting Backpack to work well as a web app (like GMail) on the iPhone if preferred.

Read the full piece.

Snip 2 Backpack: Snip text from a webpage and send it directly to your Backpack page as a note

Snip 2 Backpack is a Backpack Bookmarklet that lets you snip text from a webpage and send it directly to your Backpack page as a note. First, create your bookmarklet by typing your Backpack page's email address. Then drag your new bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar. Here's what the end result looks like:

Logbook: Post Backpack Journal updates in seconds without ever opening your browser

Logbook lets you post your status and log your work on your Backpack Journal right from your Mac.

It’s called Logbook, and it makes updating your Backpack® Journal a breeze. For a while now, we've been using Backpack® Journal to keep our team connected and we absolutely love it. Lately, though, we've been getting sick and tired of having to repeatedly open the browser to post quick status updates or completed tasks (not to mention the fact that we often forget to post anything at all). Logbook is a lightweight menubar app that enables any Backpack® user to post Journal status updates and tasks in seconds without ever opening your browser.

Try Logbook or learn more about the Backpack Journal.

TUAW: "Satchel is Backpack on the iPhone done right"

Satchel is Backpack on the iPhone done right (finally) according to The Unofficial Apple Weblog.

Whenever I'm evaluating a client application that interacts with a web-based service via its API, my acid test is the answer to this question: "Could I fully utilize this service using only this application?". Satchel gets you most of the way there. With existing Backpack pages, you can view all of your notes and lists, edit the pages tags and even view attached images and files. You can also create new pages, but the API doesn't allow for creating anything other than Note and List elements within your new page (though, you can email files, etc. directly to it once it's created). The good news is, Satchel also has a "send an email to this page" button, so you can add content to your new page relatively easily. The Satchel crew also really spent some time on the list interface, making it easy to add, remove and reorder list items in a very iPhone-ish way...

While you may be a little hesitant to drop the $9.99US on this one, I can say that it's worth every penny for the true Backpack fanatic. It's gone a long way to removing the barrier for those looking to embrace Backpack as a service, but feeling a little hamstrung by the lack of a decent mobile interface. If you love Backpack, you'll love Satchel [App Store].

FrontPocket brings Backpack to your iPhone or iPod Touch

FrontPocket is an iPhone & iPod touch app for Backpack.

The web's best organizer and intranet just got better. FrontPocket makes interacting with your entire Backpack account simple and fast with the ability to manage pages, calendars, reminders, and the journal (plus Twitter).

Here's a rundown of what you'll be able to do:

• Local caching of all accessed information including pages, calendar, reminders, and the journal for offline access
• View a list of all pages
• Add/delete pages
• View and edit notes on any page
• Add/delete notes on any page
• View and edit lists on any page
• Add/delete lists on any page
• Add/delete list items on any page
• Check off list items on any page
• Divide each page to your preference using dividers
• View emails attached to a page
• View latest sync time and date for each page
• View events from your calendar
• Create new events on your calendar
• View and edit existing reminders
• Create new reminders
• View and edit existing journal entries
• Create new journal entries
• Choose to send new journal entries to Twitter

Try FrontPocket.