Comments on: Have You Made The Right Choice?

By: Web Worker Daily » Archive Mailmanagr Provides Email Interface to Basecamp «

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:03:54 +0000

[...] If your folks are really that resistant to logging in though, you may want to consider if you have made the right choice to accommodate the work style of our clients and [...]

By: Adam Posey

Adam Posey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:08:43 +0000

I think the primary crime of this thought pattern is that we force developers of tools that product the most perfect tool for a certain audience to produce a lowest common denominator tool for the world.

The problem is primarily a signal to noise issue. The right tools for different groups exist, we just need better filtering technology to help every business get the solution that’s right for them.

By: Sal

Sal — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:33:27 +0000

The best part about these tools is that companies can try it out and see if it fits their teams and clients. We have had firms that actually do not want the tight integration - use email only for notifications and the rest is on the system for people to login and check. Though I can see why the email integration could speed up the efficiency. -- DeskAway.com

By: Garry

Garry — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:18:00 +0000

I've used Basecamp, and I think that it might be a good tool for web-designers. But all the other people out there will miss some really important features in it. Recently, I've found and interesting post at About.com. The author recommends Wrike. I'm going to try it. It looks like something I was looking for.

By: Dkb

Dkb — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:17:35 +0000

I was re-inspired to try backpack and with 20 others in an international project.

There was a mixture of excitement and embarrassment.

Excitement was there because the core of time and notes is as silky as you could wish – swish and tasty. Where I am the pageloads drag and the edits freeze. 37S haven’t upped the servers enough to beat plodding old ruby.

- Writeboard is still very unusable and the buttugly textile fundamentalist approach hides all the nice versioning – no concessions even to a Markitup type panel. Boxnet and Huddle are wiping the floor with 37S on this and there *is* a halfway

- Support is pretty diabolical too. Forums seem to be there to be ignored and there are stocks of unanswered topics. International support is less than non-existent while arrogance seems to seep through the posts.

I am sorry and embarassed that 37S is marginalising a keen userbase with some huge dirty stains marring and impeding a great suite.

By: J Lane

J Lane — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:33:55 +0000

One of the best, and undervalued features of Basecamp is that it has an extensive API. If Basecamp's missing something that you NEED, you can build it (assuming time/skills to do so). I've heard a lot of talk from people wanting better e-mail input into Basecamp, aside from just commenting. I started Mailmanagr.com as a side project, and 37signals caught wind of it and posted about it on their product blog. I'm basically building off of the Basecamp API, and making it so that people will be able to e-mail their projects (create new messages, to-dos, milestones).

By: John Haddard

John Haddard — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:09:24 +0000

I have used Basecamp in the past, definitely nice interface.

I have to say though that Central Desktop http://www.centraldesktop.com (the tool I use now – Basecamp competitor) has had this feature for a long time. You can virtually reply to all their emails and the stuff gets logged in the application.

By: Scott Blitstein

Scott Blitstein — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:21:58 +0000

Absolutely – I’m not knocking Basecamp at all. It is a wonderful product and I have managed some successful projects with it.

If you do a review and find that it is working and providing value then you have probably made the right choice.

I think that the folks at 37signals would agree that even their service isn’t a good fit for every situation – and being aware of how your teams are (or aren’t) using it is critical to getting the best results.

Thanks for the comments,
SB

By: Donna Payne

Donna Payne — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:47:01 +0000

I find it depends on the clients basic internet skill level. Experienced users immediately embrace Basecamp. Novices need a little nudge.

Our web development company relies heavily on Basecamp to keep everyone accountable and in check. Once our clients understand this – 99% of them LOVE the online collaboration.

Donna Payne, Chief Web Goddess
http://thewebcoach.net

By: Ruben Kenig

Ruben Kenig — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:45:36 +0000

Often tools like Basecamp are not the perfect solution, but they can still be a lot better than the alternatives.

I persuaded my current company to use Basecamp and the results are mixed, but before we got on to BC everything was done through email. It was clumsy and prone to problems as many folks just have the tech-dumbs. There is a learning curve to BC and it’s an easier fit for some than others, but it’s a lot better than nothing.