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If I recall correctly, the "I'm not developing software for other people" quote is in regard to Rails, not the 37signals line of services. Besides that, 37sign
by nonrecursive 19y ago
If I recall correctly, the "I'm not developing software for other people" quote is in regard to Rails, not the 37signals line of services.
Besides that, 37signals continues to grow and be successful, and apparently something like 92% of their users are really happy with them. So, arrogant or not, they must be providing something those users want, which by Norman's own standards is "essential for business success".
As much as I like Don Norman and dislike the tone and style of writing at 37s, this seems more like a reaction to being criticized than a well-thought article. It looks like he was reaching for any reason to be able to foretell their doomed future, even if that meant taking statements out of context and ignoring salient facts.
- mixmax 19y agoThe primary reason they have success is that they are really really good at marketing. This discussion is a good example - here we are talking about them, and probably referring a few users to them in the process.
- run4yourlives 19y agoThe primary reason they have as many customers as they do is because of marketing, but the reason they're successful is that many of those customers really like their products. They know they aren't for everyone, they're just betting that there are enough people out there that like them to be very successful. So far, it seems they're right.