Scribbling...

Ever needed to copy text from one computer to another? Got frustrated trying to reference complicated bits of text (GUIDs, registry keys, file paths…)? This is where the original idea for skrbl came from.

I work from multiple computers (2 laptops and a few servers), also I use remote access tools to get to offsite servers. Sometimes there is a need to copy text from one box to another – for instance an error code or debug message from test machines that I have to refer to on the dev machine. Sounds so very simple, but anyone who works from multiple computers can vouch for my frustration.

Sure there are workarounds
- Log into email from both computers and email yourself
- IM yourself using 2 different IDs
- Save your text in a file and share the drive
There probably are many other hoops you can jump through to make it happen, but we figured there had to be a better way. Getting a scrap of text from one computer to another should be as simple as 'copy AND paste', hence the core idea of skrbl- a web based clipboard. A place to park notes on the Web so you can get to them from any computer. From this original concept of sharing notes with yourself, it was natural progression to go on to 'share notes with others', and skrbl grew from a personal tool to also becoming a whiteboard for team collaboration.

Keeping in mind the simplicity of 'copy AND paste' we have tried to get that degree of simplicity and ease of use into the core skrbl functionality. It is the simplest thing on the web to start skrbl, just one click, you don’t even have to login or register! It’s equally easy for others to get to your whiteboard – just give them your URL.

This is just the beginning for skrbl, while it is useful as is, we are working on adding new features. Saving and sharing notes on the web is the first step, so many scenarios suggest themselves that it is difficult to pick one. Our users are a big help, we rely on you to tell us how you want to use skrbl, and we prioritize what you ask for. The end goal is to grow skrbl into an online ‘desktop’, with features for personal use and for team collaboration, to merge the convenience of your desktop with the access of the Web.

Hopefully we’ll get there… one feature at a time.

First Steps

Getting started is an exciting, hectic and anxious process. It has been about a year now for us at Ruveka, a year during which we have worked on several product ideas, launched one web app (skrbl alpha in June), and delivered a few client project contracts (got to pay the bills -:). All in all busy and mostly fun.
Now we hope to move on to the next stage. Communication is the first step, this blog is a place where I can shamelessly talk about our applications, plans and related random occurrences. We are also remodeling the ruveka and skrbl websites to get them more focused on specifics.
These five months of Alpha testing with skrbl were a great experience. We got valuable feedback from our users (thank you all for all your help), that took us through two functional iterations and helped refine the family of related products. The current skrbl beta features our instant web whiteboard, designed to be simple and easy. The idea is launch it simple and resist the temptation to add features. Our applications will grow organically based on what you, our users, want so please let us know.
Next we will be launching some skrbl related products over the next few weeks. We hope you will help us test these too.
Wish us luck, and thank you.