It seems inconceivable that Basecamp cannot offer the most basic reporting tools. To see how simple, unobtrusive and useful (and I don’t mean those ridiculous Ghannt charts) these can be, see the videos entitled “Project Reports” and “Overall Reporting” at http://deskaway.com/tour/index.php

37s touts how client-friendly Basecamp is, but I imagine sitting in a meeting with a client and not being able to produce any logical progress snapshots (without using spreadsheets, etc, etc, ... is it really “simple” and “easy” if you’re making us do the extra work of having to export data into outside programs?). Or, another example: You’ve brought a new employee into the loop… “Here, figure out what’s going on with these 25 projects by going to each overview page of each project and try to piece together where the company stands overall on these 25 projects.” Nearly embarrassing; and given 37s’ capabilities, hardly necessary.

I really want to switch to Basecamp, but this small problem becomes a very big one and it’s unfortunate that 37s takes their legendary and logical credo – simplicity – and argues it to its illogical extreme, causing them to miss this crucial component. See how DeskAway makes this option (nice simple reports) available but invisible unless selected. Well done.

DeskAway seems to have some pretty slick features…The reporting, as you pointed out, is great! Also, due dates on to-do’s, Calendar, etc… All the things we request they have. If only I was not 250 projects deep in Basecamp.

Thanks for the compliments and glad you are finding the reporting feature useful. Lakin, if you are serious, you can get in touch though the DeskAway website and we’ll be happy to help you.

Sal – I requested someone to contact me for the Deskaway site – no response

What a load of BS – does DeskAway really need to resort to this type of marketing. I do not know your product. And now, with the use of your competitor’s forums to promote your product, and lost any credibility you might have, I will never know your product. I will not support someone who markets like this. This type of behavior lacks integrity. Go do something productive and quit sucking off the hard work of the Good People at BC and get the hell out of their forums.

I will not support someone who markets like this. This type of behavior lacks integrity.

Agreed. What’s especially crass and underhanded is the way he denigrates the people whose forum he’s spamming. If you must spam, at least be polite about it. And please, don’t insult our intelligence by pretending to be someone unaffiliated with the product you’re shilling: “I really want to switch to Basecamp.”

You’re taking advantage of the fact that 37signals doesn’t seem to have a problem with people mentioning competing products on their forums. The least you could do is not be a jerk about it.

Attention “whatever” and “ShoelessJoe”

I am NOT affiliated with DeskAway in any conceivable way, just to clear that up. If I were, why would I say that I would switch to Basecamp if they offered the functionality that DeskAway does? I just wanted to clear this up because DeskAway (which, by the way, is far from perfect and could itself make use of some of the great features that Basecamp offers) has taken a lot of flack for my post, and they have nothing to do with me (I do keep an account with them and one with Basecamp because before I get too far into either I want to try their functionality over an extended period. So both of you should perhaps stop assuming things.

I will agree with you however that it is cool that 37s allows postings/talk of competing products, and just maybe this is 37s’ staying power: Complete and total transparency and freedom of thoughts. My initial comments have more to do with me wishing Basecamp was everything “I” want it to be, which does go against their philosophy, and which I do understand… they really do want to keep it simple. But given that, the reality of my thoughts regarding dated task lists, basic reporting, etc are not original, and are constantly requested by hundreds (thousands ?) of current paying customers.

And you should also know that I pay for and use Backpack, an unprecedented product, and Highrise, also amazing, so I am hardly anti-37s. (P.S., my girlfriend would tell you that I am an evangelist for them because she’s sick of me chatting them up!)