Guest Author: Nate W

In my search for a wireframing tool to kick-start a new web project I'm working on, Life in List's Evan B. forwarded me the link for Gliffy , a relatively new web app for making flow charts, networking diagrams, user interface pages, and floorplans. The first thing that I like about the tool is that it's free (for now, says the site pricing page). Free is good, especially when you're broke and just getting started… as long as it works.

The second thing that I like about it is that it works. I performed two tasks on Gliffy that made my life easier. First, I sketched out a wireframe for the home-page of a project I'm working on. Not being a certified geek, and not wanting to use up loads of RAM running Dreamweaver, HTML wireframing isn't time well spent for me. I need to sketch out the UI, create the page layout of my site, and be able to share it with the guys that will be writing my code. Gliffy allowed me to do this quickly, easily, and without cost. Though multipule users cannot edit a page at the same time, Gliffy can create an active JPG rendering of your site, allowing you to give limited access to your work to whomever you please, getting your developer on the "right page."

The second task I used the site for was to create a floorplan of the apartment I'm moving into at the end of the month. This was a great use of my time: I drew the outline, put in the walls, doors and windows, and then started dragging dropping the furniture objects provided by the site. I was able to quickly visualize and plan how the apartment will look before moving in; but, as CNET writes, "the library of objects… is limited." Limited it is — but also relatively intuative to use, quick to set-up, easy to share, and free.

Bravo, Gliffy. Now please don't charge me.

P.S. for a more real-time collaborative experience, check out Vyew