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Several months ago I came across an application that I use so vigorously today that I find it hard to imagine life without it, but then again that is the definition of a killer app. Now I am not sure that backpackit is the next killer app, but for me it comes close. I am not sure whether it is the simplicity or the accessibility, but backpackit covers a multitude of needs for me. I keep all of my lists there, I store photos, and files, and even manage small projects from there. It is a wonderful collaboration tool and is wonderful for managing information dissemination to large groups of people.

This week I was reminded by a fellow backpackit disciple about one of the major sweet points of backpackit. I had showed backpackit to him a few weeks ago and he was duly impressed. As is normal with technology, he promptly reminded me of one of the key features of backpackit. I was attempting to pass a large file onto him and was explaining to him on the phone that I would upload it to my FTP site and would email him a link, user id, and password to the site. As I was in the process of setting up a protected directory and uploading the file he called back and said, “why don’t you just put it on backpackit?” Long Pause. Well, that would be much easier. So, I clicked on my tab that always has backpackit open, created a new page, uploaded the files, and shared it with my friend. Wow, that was fast.

My point for this blog, is to commentate on how easily we forget all of the functionality of the applications that we love. I have been a backpackit evangelist for nearly six months now and use it everyday, but when I needed it I quickly went to my old path for for doing things. My mind did not leap to the new path that was easier, faster, more secure, and well just better. I simply took the path that I had been using for a decade (still not bad by any means). I guess, I am really saying that even this dog is hard to teach new tricks to. It is a lesson for myself that I need to be more patient with the technology challenged people in my life.
[tags]productivity, backpackit[/tags]