Minuteglass Blog

A lot of people probably are unaware that we maintain a list of time tracking applications. We realize that everybody tracks time for different reasons and a time tracking tool that works for one person might not be perfect for another.

That’s why we encourage you to check out TimeTrackingResources.com where we currently have links to over 50 time tracking apps — from software to web. We’ll be maintaining this list and adding new apps whenever we spot a new one. Thanks!

When selecting a time tracking tool it is important to choose something that offers you both flexibility and is easy to use. If you’ve ever used Basecamp, Freshbooks, or Harvest to track your time you’ll be familiar with the fixed “Client > Project > Tasks” structure which you must follow. Time must fit into that a project and projects must be associated with a client.

But what if you want to track your non-billable time or don’t need a whole “project” just to track a few hours here and there? That’s where these tools break down. If you want to track time for trivial tasks like “Email” or “Writing Proposals” you’re out of luck.

Most time tracking tools make it difficult to calculate your billable efficiency — the percentage of your time that is billable compared to non-billable. If you track all of your time this is possible.

This is one of the ways that Minuteglass is different. Instead of “Client > Project > Tasks” our model is centered around categories that you create. Meaning you are free to create your own structure for tracking time. This gives you the flexibility to both track billable time and your own non-billable hours.

We’re huge fans of social networking, even going so far as to help build a few. We have been registering on many of them recently just to get the ball rolling on that front. If you’re a member of one of these social networks and want to friend Minuteglass, go ahead! Thanks!

• Flickr
• Twitter
• Viddler
• Vimeo
• Tumblr
• YouTube
• UserVoice
• Digg
• FriendFeed
• Ustream.tv
• Blip.tv
• Revver
• Veoh
• LinkedIn Minuteglass Fans Group

As we join other social networks, we’ll be sure to link them up here! Plus, as time goes on we will fill them up with interesting photos, videos, and content!

It feels fitting to begin this blog with some history. Minuteglass has its roots all the way back in 2001 with the idea to build a time tracking and collaboration system. Web based tools at the time were primitive compared to today. Back then, there was no such thing as Ajax and Flash was just for animation.

The team at Tornado Design needed a way to track time on customer projects. In 2002 we began designing and building a PHP based application to track time and projects. It was called Windstorm and once the software was launched we used it to track our time.

We found ways to resell all of our hard work to other companies. In 2003 we configured our system for a large group of doctors in Burbank, CA and made a bunch of money selling the service.

Today, we are a group of 3 people who have taken this original vision and created the next generation in time tracking — the all new Minuteglass system. This product, being developed right now by Tom Chapin, Chris Tingom, and Kent Downer of Tornado Design in Phoenix and will allow individuals and companies to track their time over the web, and on their desktop.

We can’t wait to launch! Please sign up for our launch announcement email at www.minuteglass.com.