5 ms·

Of course, had there been a bug in your "automated system" and you did not intend on violating the law in the first place, you'd still want to be publicly embar

Of course, had there been a bug in your "automated system" and you did not intend on violating the law in the first place, you'd still want to be publicly embarrassed just because the person who's angry with you did not have the manners to do it privately?

tptacek 18y ago
Every time you try to make GS out to be the victim here, you provide another hook for us to keep debating this. Look at the comment scores and the balance of comments. GS isn't winning this debate. In fact, not only are they not winning it, but 37signals has now also managed to impress a lot of us with Sarah Hatter's customer service skills, which builds a case for doing this work in-house. There's something to learn from this, and it's not trademark law --- it's how not to handle a PR crisis.
- Semiapies 18y ago
  Oh, there are many lessons to be learned, here. :) Hopefully GS is learning them, too.
- batasrki 18y ago
  >>it's how not to handle a PR crisis. What? They've handled it as well as they could have considering the position they were placed in. I don't care for either side "winning" this debate. This is about mature behaviour, not PR spin. Their problem can, and frankly should, be viewed from the technical perspective. Had I participated in the system development, I would advocate for e-mail notifications that need to be sent to the original company's support e-mail address. There's no reason NOT to do it. As I've said above, GS is to blame here, as well. However, there was something that 37Signals could do that would show that they're the fantastic company they market themselves to be. Sadly, their charismatic leader chose the route of public airing of his grievances. It wasn't needed at that point in time, since 1) they knew about the problem for a while and 2) they haven't talked to GS's founders privately first. As for scoring of comments, I really couldn't care less. I believe in my standpoint and if I don't express my standpoint clearly, let me know. If you're going to downvote me, because I'm being critical of 37Signals, then they're speaking to the right audience.
  - tptacek 18y ago
    I'm not downvoting you. Comments scores aren't scientific, but they are one way to gauge the prevailing opinion at Hacker News, and from what I can see, the prevailing opinion at Hacker News --- which is a sweet-spot collection of GS prospects --- trends profoundly towards 37s on this one. So I think that's interesting and worth pointing out. But you? I have no idea who you even are.
    - batasrki 18y ago
      Ah, but it's also a sweet-spot of 37Signals' fans. I guess we know which way readers here will lean, now, don't we? I hoped that HN readers would be more objective than this, but then again it's only a news site. Oh, well. P.S. dude, you should totally meet me. I'm very cool in person. ;-)
      - Goronmon 18y ago
        I hoped that HN readers would be more objective than this, but then again it's only a news site. Oh, well. Just remember that this type of judgmental attitude goes both ways. As likely as everyone who disagrees with you is a 37Signals fanboy, you could be a hater just looking to troll any thread to create a negative perception of the company.
        batasrki 18y ago
        You'd be quite right, but you'd have to ascertain that by looking through my comment history. I don't troll, but I will fight for what believe vehemently, even if that gets me downmodded. I'll then sit and think about what I've said and what others have said. If I'm very wrong, I'll correct it. Fighting for objectivity on a site is something that I don't think should be looked at negatively. But, to each his own.
        Goronmon 18y ago
        Fighting for objectivity on a site is something that I don't think should be looked at negatively. But, to each his own. I don't see how accusing those disagreeing with you as being fanboys is "fighting for objectivity". Maybe a lot of people just don't think the stance you are taking has merit?

tptacek 18y ago

Every time you try to make GS out to be the victim here, you provide another hook for us to keep debating this. Look at the comment scores and the balance of comments. GS isn't winning this debate. In fact, not only are they not winning it, but 37signals has now also managed to impress a lot of us with Sarah Hatter's customer service skills, which builds a case for doing this work in-house. There's something to learn from this, and it's not trademark law --- it's how not to handle a PR crisis.

Semiapies 18y ago
Oh, there are many lessons to be learned, here. :) Hopefully GS is learning them, too.
batasrki 18y ago
>>it's how not to handle a PR crisis. What? They've handled it as well as they could have considering the position they were placed in. I don't care for either side "winning" this debate. This is about mature behaviour, not PR spin. Their problem can, and frankly should, be viewed from the technical perspective. Had I participated in the system development, I would advocate for e-mail notifications that need to be sent to the original company's support e-mail address. There's no reason NOT to do it. As I've said above, GS is to blame here, as well. However, there was something that 37Signals could do that would show that they're the fantastic company they market themselves to be. Sadly, their charismatic leader chose the route of public airing of his grievances. It wasn't needed at that point in time, since 1) they knew about the problem for a while and 2) they haven't talked to GS's founders privately first. As for scoring of comments, I really couldn't care less. I believe in my standpoint and if I don't express my standpoint clearly, let me know. If you're going to downvote me, because I'm being critical of 37Signals, then they're speaking to the right audience.
- tptacek 18y ago
  I'm not downvoting you. Comments scores aren't scientific, but they are one way to gauge the prevailing opinion at Hacker News, and from what I can see, the prevailing opinion at Hacker News --- which is a sweet-spot collection of GS prospects --- trends profoundly towards 37s on this one. So I think that's interesting and worth pointing out. But you? I have no idea who you even are.
  - batasrki 18y ago
    Ah, but it's also a sweet-spot of 37Signals' fans. I guess we know which way readers here will lean, now, don't we? I hoped that HN readers would be more objective than this, but then again it's only a news site. Oh, well. P.S. dude, you should totally meet me. I'm very cool in person. ;-)
    - Goronmon 18y ago
      I hoped that HN readers would be more objective than this, but then again it's only a news site. Oh, well. Just remember that this type of judgmental attitude goes both ways. As likely as everyone who disagrees with you is a 37Signals fanboy, you could be a hater just looking to troll any thread to create a negative perception of the company.
      - batasrki 18y ago
        You'd be quite right, but you'd have to ascertain that by looking through my comment history. I don't troll, but I will fight for what believe vehemently, even if that gets me downmodded. I'll then sit and think about what I've said and what others have said. If I'm very wrong, I'll correct it. Fighting for objectivity on a site is something that I don't think should be looked at negatively. But, to each his own.
        Goronmon 18y ago
        Fighting for objectivity on a site is something that I don't think should be looked at negatively. But, to each his own. I don't see how accusing those disagreeing with you as being fanboys is "fighting for objectivity". Maybe a lot of people just don't think the stance you are taking has merit?