Mindjot

Now here is an idea I can get behind: a service that automates the process of making “mental notes”. I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I have a terrible time remembering anything unless it is in an email, on my phone, or (gasp) written down somewhere. While I do my best to create reminders, notes, and have even go so far as to send myself emails and texts, all that results is a disorganized mess. Enter the folks at Mindjot.com, who claim to offer a means to save time, stay connected, and “remember what matters”. After creating an account, users can note products and services bearing a proprietary Mindjot unique ID (or mCode). So the story goes, you spot something cool, open your mobile browser, sign in, and enter the code, plus any optional notes, leaving open the possibility of inadvertently hilarious tipsy commentary. Later you can sign into your account online and see saved summaries of the relevant Web pages. While this all sounds well and good, there are a few things I wonder about. For starters, while I honestly haven’t been on the lookout, I have yet to notice any mCodes in print or broadcast and what are the odds I’ll remember to look? I heard they were everywhere at ICFF this year, and similar exhibitions may be Mindjot’s best (and only?) use-case. Second, Mindjot claims you will receive spam “more information” on your phone after creating a note. (Why would you want to receive more information immediately? Doesn’t that go against the idea of making a “mental note”? Hopefully, you can opt out of this service.) Finally, Mindjot smells a bit of other dotcom projects — the CueCat, anyone? — that ultimately crashed, burned, and fell victim to hackers along the way. Even so, I’ll try anything that sounds like a good idea once. Now, about this piece of string tied to my finger…