ProtoShare
Encyclopedia
ProtoShare is a collaborative software
tool from Site9, Inc. used for creating, reviewing, and refining website and web application prototypes. It enables individuals and companies to visualize project requirements by building website wireframe
s and application prototypes that team members and stakeholders can then review and comment on in real-time. ProtoShare is not a Flash tool; it uses HTML
, CSS
, and JavaScript
. ProtoShare also helps development teams move from the waterfall method
to the agile process
through iterative development. It is available online as a SaaS
(Software-as-a-Service) tool or as self-hosted for enterprise.
ProtoShare allows prototyping of websites and web apps by enabling developers to create true interactive experiences with a drag-and-drop
WYSIWYG
interface. Development teams can create low-fidelity, clickable wireframes then evolve them into high-fidelity prototypes with the use of Rich Internet Application (RIA) functionality, such as state creation, the custom HTML component, and CSS styles. Team members and clients can then collaborate on its evolution with real-time comments and ideas. Once the process of prototyping and collaboration is finished, the development team has a strong visual specification to follow, reducing misunderstandings and rework in the programming stages. The visual specification can be exported to a Microsoft Word
doc, as an archived HTML site, or to a web URL.
ProtoShare is browser-based software, compatible with multiple operating systems. Internet Explorer 7 & 8
, latest Firefox
, latest Safari
, and latest Chrome browsers on both Windows and Mac OS are supported in the Review section of the tool, which is where collaborators interact with and comment on prototypes. The build and edit functionality of ProtoShare, where developers create the prototypes, is supported by the latest Firefox, Safari, and Chrome browsers on Windows and Mac OS.
Main sections of a ProtoShare project:
Collaborative software
Collaborative software is computer software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve goals...
tool from Site9, Inc. used for creating, reviewing, and refining website and web application prototypes. It enables individuals and companies to visualize project requirements by building website wireframe
Website wireframe
A website wireframe, also known as a page schematic or screen blueprint, is a visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website. The wireframe depicts the page layout or arrangement of the website’s content, including interface elements and navigational systems, and how they work...
s and application prototypes that team members and stakeholders can then review and comment on in real-time. ProtoShare is not a Flash tool; it uses HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
, CSS
CSS
-Computing:*Cascading Style Sheets, a language used to describe the style of document presentations in web development*Central Structure Store in the PHIGS 3D API*Closed source software, software that is not distributed with source code...
, and JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
. ProtoShare also helps development teams move from the waterfall method
Waterfall model
The waterfall model is a sequential design process, often used in software development processes, in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards through the phases of Conception, Initiation, Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, Production/Implementation and Maintenance.The waterfall...
to the agile process
Agile software development
Agile software development is a group of software development methodologies based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams...
through iterative development. It is available online as a SaaS
Saas
SAAS is an abbreviation for* Social Accountability Accreditation Services* Software as a service * Student Awards Agency for Scotland* Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences* South Australian Ambulance Service...
(Software-as-a-Service) tool or as self-hosted for enterprise.
ProtoShare allows prototyping of websites and web apps by enabling developers to create true interactive experiences with a drag-and-drop
Drag-and-drop
In computer graphical user interfaces, drag-and-drop is the action of selecting a virtual object by "grabbing" it and dragging it to a different location or onto another virtual object...
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed onscreen during editing appears in a form closely corresponding to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product...
interface. Development teams can create low-fidelity, clickable wireframes then evolve them into high-fidelity prototypes with the use of Rich Internet Application (RIA) functionality, such as state creation, the custom HTML component, and CSS styles. Team members and clients can then collaborate on its evolution with real-time comments and ideas. Once the process of prototyping and collaboration is finished, the development team has a strong visual specification to follow, reducing misunderstandings and rework in the programming stages. The visual specification can be exported to a Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
doc, as an archived HTML site, or to a web URL.
ProtoShare is browser-based software, compatible with multiple operating systems. Internet Explorer 7 & 8
Internet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
, latest Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
, latest Safari
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
, and latest Chrome browsers on both Windows and Mac OS are supported in the Review section of the tool, which is where collaborators interact with and comment on prototypes. The build and edit functionality of ProtoShare, where developers create the prototypes, is supported by the latest Firefox, Safari, and Chrome browsers on Windows and Mac OS.
Main sections of a ProtoShare project:
- Review – to experience / walkthrough the site, make comments, respond to discussion, and for user testing
- Editor – for page, wireframe and prototype creation, editing, and annotating
- Library – where project templates, masters, and project assets are centrally located
- Export – for selecting and exporting any part of a project into a Microsoft Word, HTML file, or web URL
See also
- Software Development ProcessSoftware development processA software development process, also known as a software development life cycle , is a structure imposed on the development of a software product. Similar terms include software life cycle and software process. It is often considered a subset of systems development life cycle...
- User Interface DesignUser interface designUser interface design or user interface engineering is the design of computers, appliances, machines, mobile communication devices, software applications, and websites with the focus on the user's experience and interaction...
- Prototyping
- Collaborative softwareCollaborative softwareCollaborative software is computer software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve goals...