How to set up 37signals Open Bar so you can quickly switch between your accounts

Reminder: The 37signals Open Bar lets you quickly switch between your accounts.

How to set it up.

Using Highrise export as an offline backup

We were recently talking to a customer who occasionally needs to access information in Highrise while he's offline. His solution: He exports all his data from Highrise every few weeks so he's got an offline backup on his hard drive.

Then he can access that information at any time, even if he's without net access. It's a handy tip for anyone who's found themselves offline and wanting to get info on a Highrise contact, note, etc.

Related Highrise FAQs:
Can I export notes, tasks, or cases from Highrise?
How do I export my contacts from Highrise?

[Case study] BootStudio uses 37signals tools to build websites for large organizations in Central America

Jorge Arango of BootStudio writes in about his team's use of 37signals products:

About our company

BootStudio creates and manages engaging websites for large organizations in Central America (and beyond). We have a passion for simple, eloquent, standards-based interfaces that get the job done with a minimal amount of fuss. We've been around since 1995, when Internet access was starting to become commercially available in this region, so ours was one of the first web design firms in this part of the world.

The 37signals products we use, and why we like them

Ours is an (almost) entirely web-based business. We manage our day-to-day work on the 37signals suite (along with Google Apps and a few other web-based apps):

• Basecamp is our main project management space; it's where we share files, project notes, deadlines, pending tasks, checklists, etc. We love that all members of each project team—including clients—can have access to the latest information at any time, from anywhere.

• Highrise is where we manage everything "meta" about the company: contract negotiation, business development, human resources issues, etc. Most of these threads are centered on people, so Highrise makes an excellent control center and filing cabinet for these activities.

• Backpack is our intranet. It's where we update each other on our availability ("working remotely this afternoon"), document processes, and interesting news and developments about our industry.

• We also use Campfire as a replacement for IM, although much of our use of this app been overtaken by Backpack's Journal feature.

Last but certainly not least,

• Getting Real has been influential in the way we think about our work. Central America is a "developing market": a euphemism that means that expectations are high, and budgets low. We've had to learn to be nimble and efficient, and the Getting Real ethos has inspired and influenced us.

We like that the 37signals applications have consistent, elegant interfaces; it's been very easy for us to get new team members up-to-speed. The apps also have a well-considered feature set that strikes a smart balance between power with usability. For example, while Backpack isn't as flexible as Google Sites (which we evaluated, given we'd paid for it as part of Google Apps), the former provides the features we need without the complexity that comes with the richer feature set of the latter. We've found that with a bit of ingenuity we can do pretty much anything with these tools. (The one thing we haven't been able to work around is that the app UIs are presented exclusively in English. While this hasn't been too much of a problem for our clients, we can see it becoming more of an issue as we start doing more business with folks in other Spanish-speaking regions.)

Backpack: Some things you may not have known

We recently conducted a survey of our Backpack customers. We got some great feedback — including that 97% of our customers would recommend Backpack to a colleague, friend, or family member. Thank you! 

While reviewing, we noticed some suggestions about things that Backpack already offers. In "Backpack: Some things you may not have known," we pull out some of the more common suggestions and show you where you can find these features in Backpack. We hope you find these tips helpful!

How INTO uses Basecamp as a content management system and wireframing tool

INTO is a web/print startup specializing in "cutting edge work, quick turn-around times, and a high level of web expertise." Below, INTO founder Kirk Strobeck details the creative ways his team uses Basecamp, including as a content management system and wireframing tool!

How do you use our products and why do you like them?
We depend on Basecamp. It has become a cornerstone for our project management and client communication. As soon as we get wind of a project, we've got it set up in Basecamp; it is step 1. Out of that we grow our communication--instantly gaining credibility and dependability by messaging and stockpiling infos online. Of all the aspects of our business, it's one of the few that we don't have to worry about.

However, project management isn't its only purpose at INTO. Upon browsing 37Signals we saw three letters on the footer, "API," we did a quick search for a way to connect to the backdoor of our favorite web application. After seeing the available data and the need for a simple server-side CMS that worked like Basecamp, we figured why not just use Basecamp as a CMS. We're a transparent company, so if it works — use it. We did, and we're happy to say it works great.

We now use Basecamp in the following ways:

• As a project management tool
• As a content management system
• As a website wireframing tool

As a project management tool
When someone sings, it's an incredible instrument. Not only can you hear the tune, tempo, and vibe of a song, but you can clearly absorb what is being communicated. In the same way, Basecamp is an incredble tool. While you work your way through a project, there are not only deliverable results, but a detailed record of everything that has been done and is yet to be done. It formalizes our business practices without skipping a beat and becomes a solid escape from redundant explanations... "Check basecamp, it's all up there."

As a content management system
For some light-weight websites we do what we call a "Basecamp install." In these websites we have fixed navigation and semi-flexible content. While the API doesn't support graphic integration yet, it does lend itself to text changes. Here are a few examples.

saltStudio
We didn't want to do a large CMS install for this client, because practically it only needed recent news. We could apply manual updates for the other sections. We made a backend script that checks Basecamp, and sees what new news posts are available, then writes a new content file and refreshes it for the next visit. While it is a flash movie, we simply import the textfile and have a news section. We don't only pull the messages here, but also the employee information from the "People" tab mounts data to the site.

A script checks Basecamp, sees what new news posts are available, then writes a new content file and refreshes it for the next visit.

Discussing when to use Highrise tasks vs. Basecamp to-dos

At the Highrise Customer Forum, Peter V. asks the following:

I have 3 To Do lists -

1. Highrise To-do’s [Ed. note: Peter presumably means Tasks here.]
2. Basecamp To-do’s
3. Mac Mail To-do’s (which I was hoping would work with iPhone by now??)

There has to be an easy way to streamline these. What’s everyone else doing?

Isaac, another customer, offers this thoughtful response:

I’ve wrestled with this too, and I think seeking a single solution is a fool’s errand.

There is almost NO time that seeing everything we have to do in one place actually helps us, other than by making us anxious. Theoretically, it sounds nice, but I don’t think there’s a practical application.

Instead, I think keeping tasks somewhat separate allow you to focus on what is important right now.

I’m using Basecamp to-dos for detailed lists of followup tasks with my team, on a complex project, or tracking bug fixes. When you’re working on that project, it’s the only place to be. But Basecamp todos don’t remind you or carry due dates, so they’re really just good for punch lists.

I use the Highrise tasks for things I have to get done today or by a certain date in order to keep a promise to someone. For this, I appreciate Highrise’s ability to

* receive tasks by email (sent from my phone or desktop)
* remind me when they’re due
* tag according to context

I use a variation of Chemnitz’s strategy above, to create a Highrise task like “TODAY: clear Basecamp todos on ABC project” if it really has to be done for a client expectation.

Hope that helps.

Try Highrise or Basecamp.

Basecamp FAQ: How can I upload or change the photo that appears next to my name?

Tired of seeing that generic person icon inside Basecamp? Then you and your team should upload photos. It's a simple step, but it really humanizes things when can you see a person's face next to their words.

Here's how to upload or change the photo that appears next to a person's name:

Select the "My info" link that appears in the upper right of every screen. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section marked "Photo." Then choose the file you want to upload from your computer and click the "Upload photo" button.

You can upload a small photo (GIF, JPG, or PNG), which will be resized to 48 pixels square (if it is not already that size). If you keep seeing an old photo instead of the new photo you've just uploaded, clear your browser cache and force reload the page.

For Highrise users, the process is similar. Just click on "My info" in the upper right of every screen and then select the "Contact and permissions" tab. Then select the "Change photo" link.

Video: Setting up 37signals Open Bar

If you use more than one 37signals product (or have multiple accounts within a product), you can make your life a lot easier with 37signals Open Bar. In this video, Jason and Jamie show how easy it is to set up Open Bar so you can switch quickly between your accounts.

Learn more about 37signals Open Bar or OpenID.

Backpack Tip: Jump to a specific date/month

How to jump to a specific date/month in the Backpack calendar:

Highrise's four levels of permissions

Highrise lets you set permissions on people, companies, cases, and notes. It's a great way to select who gets to see what information. Keep your personal contacts private. Limit certain data so only, say, the marketing department can see it. Or open information up so anyone on your team can access it. It's up to you.

There are four levels of permissions for each item:

1. "Everyone" means every user that has access to your Highrise account can see this item.


2. "Only I can" means only you can see this item.


3. "Select a group..." allows you to select a pre-formed group of people who can see this item (more on groups below).


4. "Select people..." allows you to select which people can see this item.

FAQs about Highrise permissions.