So far, wireframing web apps are disappointing

I use Visio all too frequently in my job to create Web application wireframes.  It's a good desktop application, but I'd like to move to an online equivalent to:

• Share files and collaborate with remote coworkers
• Work from home on my Mac, and at the office on my PC
• Use web apps to build web apps!  I feel virtuous when I use the types of products I make.

I've had good experiences with the Mindmeister concept mapping tool, and so I had high expectations for online wireframing. Here I'll generalize a personal point about transitioning: Users happy with a desktop software solution will not jump to a Web app that's missing key features. There are clear benefits to Web apps, but they're not worth losing efficiency and functionality.

As a result, Gliffy doesn't make the cut for me.  It's missing keyboard shortcuts and paste from the OS clipboard, two features I use constantly in Visio.  (At least, I couldn't find them in the interface or in Help.)  You can copy and paste within the application, but you can't bring in content from outside.

In addition, on an aesthetic level, I didn't care for the application's Visio-esque UI.  Those tiny, monochromatic icons are ugly and undifferentiated.  Fitts's Law says that relying on those little targets would make my experience slow and error-prone.  Besides, guys, the Web is a new platform you're building for. Some visual creativity would signal trial users that you're setting them free from the anesthesizing blue and gray prison of Windows desktop apps.

The makers of Jumpchart must have had the same interface insight, because their UI is radically different from Visio and Gliffy. They appear to optimize for classic text-based web pages.  In fact, the tool eschews icons and buttons entirely.  It's much more like a wiki than a typical Web app, and that could be a problem.  Jumpchart's page-centric model feels very dated in 2008.

I was turned off immediately when I saw Jumpchart uses something called Textile markup to edit its pages. Like many folks, I've learned HTML and wiki markup already. Why should I learn yet another markup language?

At least, since the tool is not Flash, you can easily paste in text.  But where are the visuals? This application should be called Jumpword, because I couldn't find features involving charts or graphics of any kind.

For now, I'm stuck using Visio, and probably purchasing Omnigraffle for my Mac at home.  Gliffy and Jumpchart must move fast to add features, because old-school corporations like Adobe are bring their big brands to bear in the Web space.

Update:  I received an email, plus a comment below, from Gliffy representatives who say they're following up on the issues I raised.  Perhaps we'll see keyboard shortcuts and improved copy-and-paste soon!

Update 2: Next, a review of Balsamiq Mockups.

Comments

[Marc Drees]

Give Balsamiq a try and see if you like it. Pretty cool from my perspective

[Marc Drees]

By the way; having a commenter to enter a captcha is a pretty lousy user experience. Too lazy to actually provide good usability over your own blog?

[Joshua Ledwell]

Well Marc, the captcha didn't keep you from commenting twice. :) Comment spam hinders usability too. What's your solution?

[Andrew Wirtanen]

Good round-up, Josh. I'd like to see you review desktop apps (with maybe Balsamiq and Axure in the mix). My team is stuck in Visio on a long-term consulting project, but it was our client's decision to use it. We're also a PC-based organization.

Marc, I think TypePad requires captchas by default (if I'm wrong, you're on your own Josh!). I also don't know if TypePad's spam detection is up to par with Wordpress. That said, the reCAPTCHA project actually isn't that bad, but that's more of a short-term solution to the larger problem of the necessity to use them at all (due to poor spam prevention that is unable to keep up with sophisticated spamming methods).

By the way; having English text on your site, but no clear way to switch to English is a pretty lousy user experience ;)

[Joshua Ledwell]

Thanks Andrew, I'll definitely take a look at Balsamiq.

Axure doesn't interest me right now because it's not a web app, but there are several reviews out there. Kirsten Robinson probably has some slides from the UPA Boston mini she could share.

[Dave]

Thanks for the comments on Gliffy; we are aware of some of the issues with keyboard shortcuts. As for getting objects into your Gliffy diagrams, you can upload images and manipulate them in Gliffy. Not quite as ideal as simply pasting them in, but there is a way to do it.

Appreciate your thoughts on the general UI, too. I think we are going for a "users familiar with Visio will get this" type of vibe.

[Greg]

I've also heard good things about balsamiq.com as a wireframing tool.... Though I recommend actual pen and paper.

[Josh]

Thanks for the comment Greg. Pen and paper are great, but they don't fit the needs I listed at the beginning of of the post. You cannot share and collaborate efficiently with remote coworkers if you don't use digital tools.

[Volker]

Have you already discovered RapidRabb.it? It is kind of a web based paper prototyping tool. Although it is still in Beta, i'd like to point you to the preview version (http://rapidrabb.it/preview) where you can experience all its current features. Upcoming features are more shortcuts (and also Mac shortcuts) and real time collaboration, as in Google Docs.

[Ryan]

Axure Pro is great.

[Mario]

Try MockupScreens. And it seems new version is just around the corner:
http://mockupscreens.com/index.php?page=What_s_New