Where's the reality? was, Re: [Sigia-l] Off Topic Posts

[Dmitry Nekrasovski]

Brian,

Couldn't agree with you more, both in terms of respect for 37 Signals'
work and skepticism regarding their philosophy. The excerpts from
Getting Real I've read make me think of extreme programming as
originally articulated in Kent Beck's book - a great set of ideas
about how to run a project that is only applicable in a very
particular set of circumstances.

Dmitry

On 3/10/06, Brian Ghidinelli <brian at vfive.com> wrote:
>
> > 37signals' much bally-hooed "Getting Real" book ('the smarter, faster,
> > and easier way to build a successful web app') specifically recommends
> > on page 88 to *never hire an information architect*:
>
> I really like 37signals' work.  They are incredibly talented and it
> shows in their projects and products.  I have a backpack account and
> have used Basecamp on consulting projects with success.
>
> I don't, however, agree with their "Getting Real" philosophy.  The
> 37signals office is a parallel dimension to the world that most of us
> operate in.  Assembling a small, crack team of superstars who are
> passionately dedicated to the products they are building has allowed
> them to throw conventional business wisdom and operating practices out
> the window.
>
> They absolutely deserve credit for being able to align their stars and
> succeed in this way (assuming they are, actually, succeeding).
>
> The real reality, the one where you and I are "keeping it real",
> requires us to collaborate and negotiate with people of differing skill
> levels, less passion and competing interests.  In a perfect world, a
> 37signals world, we would zap them with our death ray and replace them
> with someone better.  Unlikely to happen soon.  In the really real
> world, Information Architects and other IxD/IA-ish people play a
> critical role in keeping projects on track and the user experience positive.
>
> I'd argue that their extreme viewpoint still benefits the masses by
> encouraging people to buck bureaucracy and focus on results but the
> 1750+ copies sold[1] certainly outnumbers the working situations where
> their philosophy is applicable.
>
> Not a hater,
>
>
> Brian
>
> [1]
> http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/getting_real_book_update_new_version_sales_feedback_contributors_etc.php
>
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