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Design Tools for Everything

377 points| yvonnick | 7 years ago |github.com | reply

69 comments

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[+] Crinus|7 years ago|reply
These lists are a nice idea, but i do not like the execution - they are little more than a dump of someone's bookmarks. Personally i'd like to see a bit more information about each entry, including screenshots and a short explanation about the program.

Something like Softpedia would be great (although simpler), although preferably without garbage reviews like this: https://www.softpedia.com/get/Programming/Coding-languages-C... (for a bonus WTF check the screenshot).

Alternatively (and probably easier to do) something like tinyapps.org but with a bit more information per entry.

[+] PascLeRasc|7 years ago|reply
These kinds of link dumps usually do more harm than good. Tell me why I need something like "information architecture" or "experience monitoring", then just offer me your favorite and tell me why it's your favorite. Don't just put stuff on the list because it came up on Google and you feel like you need more stuff.

The only category I'm qualified to judge in that list is 3D modeling, and their list isn't very good in my opinion. They don't distinguish between parametric CAD and direct modeling, and they don't go into the intended use of each, like how Fusion 360 can do CAM for CNCing, or how Rhino is meant more for product design instead of physical prototyping. It really seems like the author of this list didn't use any of these.

[+] codetrotter|7 years ago|reply
> Something like Softpedia would be great (although simpler), although preferably without garbage reviews like this: https://www.softpedia.com/get/Programming/Coding-languages-C... (for a bonus WTF check the screenshot).

Oh lord. That was nothing short of embarrassing to read. As in I feel embarrassed on the part of whoever wrote that "review". And you were right about the screenshot lol.

[+] TeMPOraL|7 years ago|reply
These lists are essentially like tinyapps.com.

I don't think adding more details is a good idea - that would essentially be a duplication of content from each link on the list. The biggest value the of form of these lists (and tinyapps.com) is that I can skim them quickly. If you built an encyclopedia, somebody soon would want to have a simple list of all entries.

To add to that: if these lists were to be more detailed, they probably wouldn't exist at all, as expanding and maintaining them would be too much work.

[+] koolba|7 years ago|reply
I read the title as an imperative statement and was disappointed that it’s just yet another GitHub “Awesome list of...”.

Was really hoping for an article about building custom tooling as I feel like a lot of my day is spent doing exactly that (ie mini tools to automate recurring semi manual tasks).

[+] imglorp|7 years ago|reply
I read it a second way, also wrong: tools to help me design things.

Do all web designers think they're the center of everything? :-) ... I KID!

[+] hombre_fatal|7 years ago|reply
These curations get overwhelming pretty fast and lack social proof. Anyone can pull request anything.

For example, the first screenshot tool I clicked didn't even have a screenshot or copy on the landing page. Just a download button + email collection form. https://getkap.co/ -- Not something I would blindly run on my machine, but I'd consider it if it was HN's favorite tool.

Another take on these "Awesome *" lists would be to link to real world forum topics (Reddit, HN, etc) where people are discussing, say, their favorite screen-recording tool. That way you at least get a priority queue of software to consider. And you can differentiate between a tool with 100 upvotes vs. one that's only ever shilled by its shady creator.

[+] duiker101|7 years ago|reply
The saddest thing about Kap, is that they had a very nice landing page, so much so I had put it in my "inspiration" list. And then they changed it to this...
[+] multipass|7 years ago|reply
All these "awesome list of ..." maybe means that there is a need for a site like Yahoo in the 90's which tried to catalogize internet in a hierarchical list-of-lists manner.
[+] serf|7 years ago|reply
I agree that it's needed.

The problem with those kind of sites is that the site owners try to game the ranking system.

[+] edpichler|7 years ago|reply
I agree. It seems no algorithm could kill "curators" yet.
[+] NikkiA|7 years ago|reply
dmoz was that site for a long time after yahoo became it's 2000s incarnation, but then dmoz went away, there are a couple of live archives of it, but still...
[+] wongarsu|7 years ago|reply
But these lists also already fulfill the need. When there's a category of something people are interested in someone will eventually make an "awesome list of ...". The good lists become popular and become included in various "awesome list of lists" improving their discoverability, while the bad lists fade into obscurity. And since there is no central authority and plenty of alternatives each list can be opinionated instead of including everything under the sun.

These lists follow the same "survival of the fittest" that underlies capitalism and evolution, and while coordinated efforts have many advantages they also have all the disadvantages of monoliths. I think a Yahoo-like site would have a hard time producing a better result.

[+] rosegarden0|7 years ago|reply
Im fascinated by the popularity of curated lists. There are so many and most of them get a ton of likes/upvotes/etc. any research on why this is the case?
[+] alexpetralia|7 years ago|reply
I am not sure about research (though of course research-based evidence is always good), but I think this stems from people's innate desire for simplicity/order. Listicles hack our primitive brain.
[+] starky|7 years ago|reply
Design Tools for "Everything", yet is missing all the most common design tools for device design. Where are SolidWorks, Creo, Altium, etc.?
[+] JunaidBhai|7 years ago|reply
This is literally a gold mine. Despite being a founder of a Design company, coming across such collection of compiled resources has always been a painful task.

I have tried using https://startupstash.com and https://startupresources.io earlier which had good resources too.

What's the best way to add more products to the list? Any idea if I could add the following products: Product 1: http://draftss.com Product 2: http://draftss.com/getfeedback

[+] whoisjuan|7 years ago|reply
> Despite being a founder of a Design company, coming across such collection of compiled resources has always been a painful task.

Really? You probably haven't looked that hard, because there are probably hundreds of these type of lists. There seems to be one every month in Product Hunt.

BTW, it's probably not your intention, but your last line with links to your product looks like a super spammy hijacking attempt.

[+] Waterluvian|7 years ago|reply
This is a great resource to have. I'm a little disappointed that it's more a tools for Designers resource. Mostly graphics and UI and such.

I was hoping to find some design tools for HFSMs that aren't just flow chart drawing tools.

[+] skilled|7 years ago|reply
Seen this everywhere the last couple of days, a "spam" campaign going on?
[+] wingerlang|7 years ago|reply
The people behind "Flawless App" tend to do a loooooot of content, linking back to their app. On one hand, some content is actually pretty nice. On the other, it can come across spammy.
[+] jhund|7 years ago|reply
Thanks for this list. I found Keyshape for authoring web animations.