I am attempting to use BaseCamp as a substitute for a Private Message Board with my clients.

I really like Elance’s model. You have an ongoing conversation, constantly archived. I can attach files, or they can. The client can intiate the conversation, or I can. The system emails the receiving party each time a new post or file is added. We can reply from our email program without having to log in to the PMB. I can use it for everything from documents, to service agreements, to support requests. Nothing is delete-able and it is a permanent record.

I’ve been trying out alternatives all week long and the best solution I have so far is Basecamp. The problems I have are the following:
(1) I manually have to set up the client conversation page and email the client instructions on how to use it, it doesn’t automatically exist.
(2) A client could potentially delete or edit old messages, and “change history” so to speak.
(3) Replying to the emails doesn’t work.

I’ve tried out Wiki’s, Project management software, and ticketing systems, and Basecamp’s offering is the best so far. Well, Elance is the best, but I’m not going to push a client into an Elance project and give up 10% of my income for each and every project.

My frustration comes from the three items listed above. And, I’d really love to see an integration with FreshBooks where FB and Basecamp could share a login.

- John

My frustration comes from the three items listed above. And, I’d really love to see an integration with FreshBooks where FB and Basecamp could share a login.

John: You should encourage Freshbooks to allow OpenID logins. Then you can have the same login with Basecamp, Freshbooks, and hundreds of other sites.

http://www.37signals.com/openid