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37signals Tada-List is now closed (37signals.com)

21 points by alberth ↗ HN
In one major move, 37signals shuts down:<p>1. Backpack, 2. Tada list, 3. Writeboard (and no longer offers a free version of Basecamp).<p>The announcements can be found here: - http://37signals.com/tadalist-retired - http://37signals.com/writeboard-retired - backpackit.com<p>37signals now ONLY offers products that you must buy.<p>No more freemium sales model.<p>As well as they are leaving thousands of Legacy Basecamp customers stranded who don't want to migrate to the new Basecamp product.

26 comments

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alberth
In one major move, 37signals shuts down:

1. Backpack,

2. Tada list,

3. Writeboard

(and no longer offers a free version of Basecamp).

The announcements can be found here:

- http://37signals.com/tadalist-retired

- http://37signals.com/writeboard-retired

- backpackit.com

37signals now ONLY offers products that you must buy.

No more freemium sales model.

As well as they are leaving thousands of Legacy Basecamp customers stranded who don't want to migrate to the new Basecamp product.

Smudge
Tadalist and Writeboard both say: `But don’t worry — any [x] you already created here at [y].com will continue to work`

Which is nice.

Of the above, the only thing I might take issue with is the stranding of legacy Basecamp customers. Why don't they want to migrate? What can 37signals do for them? Answering these questions is important, and if they are already working on this then I see no problems.

damncabbage
Why don't they want to migrate?

In our case, it's the price hike ($29 -> $50).

We're a not-for-profit and have a tough time paying for this stuff; we need to stick with Basecamp "Classic" for the time being.

amerine
Nearly everything you said here is false.

They have disabled new signups for Tada list and writeboard. Disabled creating standalone writeboards and new lists... Backpack isn't listed on their site anymore, but seems to work perfectly for me. Though, I'm not sure how useful it is now that most of the functionality seems to exist in Basecamp in some fashion.

I also have plenty "Legacy" Basecamp projects and am not being "stranded", they work fine. Please elaborate.

pbreit
Basecamp and Highrise both have free tiers so 2 of its 3 services are freemium.
maguay
Actually, the new Basecamp doesn't have a free tier now. Cheapest is $20/month.

But, for teams I manage, we've found Basecamp was actually cheaper than the competition because every tier has unlimited users. That alone makes it cheaper than competing apps that charge per user.

pbreit
My bad...I mistook the "setup a free project".
brandoncapecci
I don't think you understand what freemium means. I have some reluctance to believe this but, as the stories go, it's akin to a drug dealer giving a free hit to "see that the product is worth paying for". It is not perpetually providing you free bongs. Clear?
kenn
The title is misleading. They will no longer accept new signups, but continue to work.
jongos
It's called 'free market'. Whether it's because sales are declining across the board, or those products aren't as profitable as they want them to be, I see nothing wrong with charging people to use what they make.

They're a great company, with great products, more power to 'em.

Smudge
This title sounds so indignant. 37signals can do what they want.

I'm sure they'll give existing users plenty of warning & time to migrate content elsewhere before they shut down these services for good. For now, sign-ups are closed. Carry on.

nc
Existing users still have access, not sure why you'd need a warning in that case.
ricefield
Title is now: 37signals Tada-List is now closed

what was the original title?

Smudge
Can't edit my comment anymore. Original title was "37signals kills: Backpack, Tada, Writeboard. You must PAY for all products now."
gooddaysir
37 Signals can do what they want because their product is so good. Look, I'm not a fanboy by any stretch, I'm not even a subscriber (yet), but I've been testing the new Basecamp and it is excellent. There is nothing else that comes close. I've tried many so called alternatives.

Why is that? How come only 37 Signals gets it so right but nobody else can?

Smudge
I wouldn't say nobody else. (IMO 37signals gets these things right because that's their business. Getting these things right. When they don't get things right, they rework it until they get things right.)
sneak
> they rework it

I see what you did there.

briandear
Oh my gosh! A company wants to make money? This is horrible! We should black out Wikipedia to protest. Give me a break, 37signals doesn't owe anything to anyone. Don't like them, don't use them.
[deleted]
(comment deleted)
jgv
The horror. I can't imagine why 37signals thinks its a good idea to charge for their products and services.
pooriaazimi
Stupid, stupid title.

They had an (apparently) free service since 2005, and you're angry they've started charging for it after 7 years?!