Hi, everyone. A while ago I posted a note on my website about how I use Basecamp for St. Louis Magazine, which I edit. The use of a "Content Status" Writeboard has become the central component to our monthly tracking process. We use textile to create color coordination and dividers between magazine sections. If you're interested, you can read a bit about it and see a (slightly fuzzy) screenshot here: http://www.stephenschenkenberg.com/blog/2009/5/24/content-status-in-basecamp.html Cheers, Stephen Hi, everyone. A while ago I posted a note on my website about how I use Basecamp for St. Louis Magazine, which I edit. The use of a “Content Status” Writeboard has become the central component to our monthly tracking process. We use textile to create color coordination and dividers between magazine sections. If you’re interested, you can read a bit about it and see a (slightly fuzzy) screenshot here: <a href="http://www.stephenschenkenberg.com/blog/2009/5/24/content-status-in-basecamp.html">http://www.stephenschenkenberg.com/blog/2009/5/24/content-status-in-basecamp.html</a> Cheers, Stephen

2009-11-07T13:32:29Z

36656

12492

2009-11-07T13:32:29Z

8950

hI, I am also VERY interested in resource scheduling to be added to base camp as we are starting to use it now in earnest for a huge client base and it woud be SUPER to have this available inside basecamp. Nik C hI, I am also VERY interested in resource scheduling to be added to base camp as we are starting to use it now in earnest for a huge client base and it woud be SUPER to have this available inside basecamp. Nik C

2009-11-07T10:16:11Z

36653

5828

2009-11-07T10:16:11Z

8237

I think this is a cultural thing, but I wanted to ask. I'm not a web developer and my company isn't populated with web developers. We're management consultants and business people. I'm thinking we are totally not the target market for Basecamp. What is up with the notepad-like text formatting in Basecamp (mostly messages and writeboards)? At first this seemed flexible, just your thoughts and a big square of white. But now it's become pretty clear that the inability to easily enter well-formatted and readable text directly in Basecamp has become a great detriment (much like in Basecamp, I just can't be bothered here to figure out how to underline "easily"). We now do all our writing in Word or Excel and post these documents to Basecamp. Not ideal, as it would be nice to just see the information you're looking for directly in Basecamp (and be able to search for it) and not always have to download it (and if you want to change it, to re-upload it from the temporary folder it drops it into). I mean, it's serviceable, but it all seems so backward, so 1995. Is it just me? I think this is a cultural thing, but I wanted to ask. I’m not a web developer and my company isn’t populated with web developers. We’re management consultants and business people. I’m thinking we are totally not the target market for Basecamp. What is up with the notepad-like text formatting in Basecamp (mostly messages and writeboards)? At first this seemed flexible, just your thoughts and a big square of white. But now it’s become pretty clear that the inability to easily enter well-formatted and readable text directly in Basecamp has become a great detriment (much like in Basecamp, I just can’t be bothered here to figure out how to underline “easily”). We now do all our writing in Word or Excel and post these documents to Basecamp. Not ideal, as it would be nice to just see the information you’re looking for directly in Basecamp (and be able to search for it) and not always have to download it (and if you want to change it, to re-upload it from the temporary folder it drops it into). I mean, it’s serviceable, but it all seems so backward, so 1995. Is it just me?

2009-11-07T03:11:01Z

36649

12489

2009-11-07T03:11:23Z

14906

hi argonhosting. You may want to check out "formspring":http://formspring.com. They let you build forms quickly and easily. hi argonhosting. You may want to check out <a href="http://formspring.com">formspring</a>. They let you build forms quickly and easily.

2009-11-07T00:12:03Z

36648

12488

2009-11-07T00:12:03Z

16890

Hi tino- Let me see if I can answer your questions: 1. Yes, when you move a milestone, you have the option of moving all other milestones or not. 2. Basecamp does not offer forms, at least not if I'm understanding you correctly. 3. I don't believe there is an import feature. You can export to html or xml 4. Hierarchy is not supported. You just put them in date order. You can assign to do lists to milestones however. Hope that helps. Hi tino- Let me see if I can answer your questions: 1. Yes, when you move a milestone, you have the option of moving all other milestones or not. 2. Basecamp does not offer forms, at least not if I’m understanding you correctly. 3. I don’t believe there is an import feature. You can export to html or xml 4. Hierarchy is not supported. You just put them in date order. You can assign to do lists to milestones however. Hope that helps.

2009-11-06T23:32:59Z

36647

12486

2009-11-06T23:32:59Z

16890

It would be nice to have the ability to create forms or a questionnaire in the system. A form builder would be nice so that we could assign a form to the project that would gather specific information for our projects. For us, a webdesign firm, it would be nice to create a form in the system that would gather information for the design process for our clients. Simple forms are really all that is needed to gather some specific information relating to the project and have the ability to post this form to the project manager. Thanks! It would be nice to have the ability to create forms or a questionnaire in the system. A form builder would be nice so that we could assign a form to the project that would gather specific information for our projects. For us, a webdesign firm, it would be nice to create a form in the system that would gather information for the design process for our clients. Simple forms are really all that is needed to gather some specific information relating to the project and have the ability to post this form to the project manager. Thanks!

2009-11-06T22:43:38Z

36646

12488

2009-11-06T22:43:38Z

6598

I would like to request the following feature for the "Messages" section of basecamp. We would like the ability to give client access to message areas, the ability to post and respond on message threads, but not create new message threads. We find our clients will muddy up the project manager by creating multiple message threads on the same subject I would like to request the following feature for the “Messages” section of basecamp. We would like the ability to give client access to message areas, the ability to post and respond on message threads, but not create new message threads. We find our clients will muddy up the project manager by creating multiple message threads on the same subject

2009-11-06T22:42:15Z

36645

12487

2009-11-06T22:42:15Z

6598

Hi all, I am considering using Basecamp as a new project mgm tool and have a few questions I could not get answers to in the demo or tour. I am hoping you all can help. 1- Does it support cascading dates. (if I move a date of a project, will it move all task and milestones date accordingly? If i move a project 2 days later will it know to move all other dates associated the same 2 days.) 2- Does it support custom forms and fields within that form. ( I need to create custom forms with required fields to work within our work flow.) 3- Does it support DATA import/export of all projects and tasks? 4- Does it support heirarchy tasks? ( I want tasks done in order and passed along the flow in a particular progression and allow NEXT user to be notified of previous step being completed.) If anyone can answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it. I hope I posted it in the right place. Thanks in advance, Tino Hi all, I am considering using Basecamp as a new project mgm tool and have a few questions I could not get answers to in the demo or tour. I am hoping you all can help. 1- Does it support cascading dates. (if I move a date of a project, will it move all task and milestones date accordingly? If i move a project 2 days later will it know to move all other dates associated the same 2 days.) 2- Does it support custom forms and fields within that form. ( I need to create custom forms with required fields to work within our work flow.) 3- Does it support DATA import/export of all projects and tasks? 4- Does it support heirarchy tasks? ( I want tasks done in order and passed along the flow in a particular progression and allow NEXT user to be notified of previous step being completed.) If anyone can answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it. I hope I posted it in the right place. Thanks in advance, Tino

2009-11-06T16:50:17Z

36642

12486

2009-11-06T16:50:17Z

19258

another thing: * please include the IP address of the person who requested a password change in the email. This way you know if it was somebody from your PC / office / network who requested it. another thing: <ul> <li>please include the IP address of the person who requested a password change in the email. This way you know if it was somebody from your PC / office / network who requested it.</li> </ul>

2009-11-06T09:03:42Z

36636

12481

2009-11-06T09:03:42Z

19240

Hi, I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but I guess I'd try anyway. I've noticed the following issues with the way basecamp handles passwords: * It's too easy to request your current password by email * the password is mailed to you, which means the password is stored as plaintext in the database. this worries me. * the password reminder page also has a link for "Click here if you are (name of owner)" which immediately mails the owner the password, without asking for confirmation. I'd suggest to use the more common practices to improve the security: * don't store the plaintext password in the database * if you request a new password, it should either (a) generate a new one and require you to change it when logging in or (b) email a confirmation link to change the password online Regards, Ricardo. Hi, I’m not sure if this has been mentioned already, but I guess I’d try anyway. I’ve noticed the following issues with the way basecamp handles passwords: <ul> <li>It’s too easy to request your current password by email</li> <li>the password is mailed to you, which means the password is stored as plaintext in the database. this worries me.</li> <li>the password reminder page also has a link for “Click here if you are (name of owner)” which immediately mails the owner the password, without asking for confirmation.</li> </ul> I’d suggest to use the more common practices to improve the security: <ul> <li>don’t store the plaintext password in the database</li> <li>if you request a new password, it should either (a) generate a new one and require you to change it when logging in or (b) email a confirmation link to change the password online</li> </ul> Regards, Ricardo.

2009-11-06T08:58:51Z

36635

12481

2009-11-06T08:58:51Z

19240

just posted "in another thread":http://forum.37signals.com/basecamp/forums/3/topics/12168?page=1#posts-36632 that this would be great! just posted <a href="http://forum.37signals.com/basecamp/forums/3/topics/12168?page=1#posts-36632">in another thread</a> that this would be great!

2009-11-06T05:10:43Z

36633

10411

2009-11-06T05:10:43Z

19236

reassigning to another person from to-do comments would be very helpful! use case: to-do is assigned to you but you're blocked by someone else, so you add a comment re: blockage and reassign to blocker to get their help and they can send it back when they are done. i'm sure this is worked around in some way by the majority of basecamp users - would love to hear how folks handle this situation. i know you can add someone onto the email chain from the to-do but it won't show up in their dashboard. reassigning to another person from to-do comments would be very helpful! use case: to-do is assigned to you but you’re blocked by someone else, so you add a comment re: blockage and reassign to blocker to get their help and they can send it back when they are done. i’m sure this is worked around in some way by the majority of basecamp users – would love to hear how folks handle this situation. i know you can add someone onto the email chain from the to-do but it won’t show up in their dashboard.

2009-11-06T05:09:44Z

36632

12168

2009-11-06T05:09:44Z

19236

If we set up multiple companies to get around the "groups" problem, can a single individual be a member of multiple companies? If we set up multiple companies to get around the “groups” problem, can a single individual be a member of multiple companies?

2009-11-05T19:32:57Z

36629

12399

2009-11-05T19:32:57Z

19214

I'd like to "vote" for this feature as well. If you could also expand groups to messages, it would be nice. I’d like to “vote” for this feature as well. If you could also expand groups to messages, it would be nice.

2009-11-05T18:27:16Z

36627

12410

2009-11-05T18:27:16Z

13762

yeah, wtf is this all about, I find the 37 signals should have hired a UX designer, as half of the implementation doesnt make sense. You can upload a file, but can't comment on it, so theres no point uploading a file. The difference 'value' from a comment and message, meh. I have two people working on a milestone, but can only assign it to one of these people, they are programmers. yeah, wtf is this all about, I find the 37 signals should have hired a UX designer, as half of the implementation doesnt make sense. You can upload a file, but can’t comment on it, so theres no point uploading a file. The difference ‘value’ from a comment and message, meh. I have two people working on a milestone, but can only assign it to one of these people, they are programmers.

2009-11-05T15:50:45Z

36625

6357

2009-11-05T15:50:45Z

19211

We'd like to request that Milestone Dates (those that are assigned as Related to a ToDo List) display not only in the project under the ToDo List's Title (for example - https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/projects/9999999/todo_lists), but also under the ToDo List's Title that is on an Individual's ToDo Lists listing (https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/todo_lists) This way, we could see which ToDo Lists/Items/Projects have higher priority (those who's Milestones are upcoming) and compare them DIRECTLY with our own specific ToDo's so we can make decisions on what tasks we need to do right now. Looking at our big Milestones list (without the tasks assigned under each) doesn't allow us to get a clear sense of how much time it's going to take us to hit each Milestone/how many tasks we have yet to do for each. And then, taking that one step further, if we could SORT an Individual's ToDO Lists listing by those Related Milestones OR by Project Name, that would make getting our Tasks prioritized MUCH easier. We’d like to request that Milestone Dates (those that are assigned as Related to a ToDo List) display not only in the project under the ToDo List’s Title (for example – <a href="https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/projects/9999999/todo_lists">https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/projects/9999999/todo_lists</a>), but also under the ToDo List’s Title that is on an Individual’s ToDo Lists listing (<a href="https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/todo_lists">https://ourcompany.basecamphq.com/todo_lists</a>) This way, we could see which ToDo Lists/Items/Projects have higher priority (those who’s Milestones are upcoming) and compare them DIRECTLY with our own specific ToDo’s so we can make decisions on what tasks we need to do right now. Looking at our big Milestones list (without the tasks assigned under each) doesn’t allow us to get a clear sense of how much time it’s going to take us to hit each Milestone/how many tasks we have yet to do for each. And then, taking that one step further, if we could SORT an Individual’s ToDO Lists listing by those Related Milestones OR by Project Name, that would make getting our Tasks prioritized MUCH easier.

2009-11-05T15:24:53Z

36624

12477

2009-11-05T15:24:53Z

13868

Here's our vote as well - We often find that we've posted a file, but did not notify everyone we wanted to, OR, we needed to post a file for certain people to view FIRST, and then, when it's been approved to send to the client, we need an easy way to send our clients a notification (via email) that the file has been posted. If we could have a way to "edit" a file upload (say, leave the file as is, but be able to edit either the Privacy settings, OR the people notified about the file, WITHOUT having to upload a new version), that would make our experience (and our client's) easier. Here’s our vote as well - We often find that we’ve posted a file, but did not notify everyone we wanted to, OR, we needed to post a file for certain people to view FIRST, and then, when it’s been approved to send to the client, we need an easy way to send our clients a notification (via email) that the file has been posted. If we could have a way to “edit” a file upload (say, leave the file as is, but be able to edit either the Privacy settings, OR the people notified about the file, WITHOUT having to upload a new version), that would make our experience (and our client’s) easier.

2009-11-05T15:09:12Z

36623

9563

2009-11-05T15:09:12Z

13868

For what it's worth, here's our vote for this as well - We'd like to see a list of all people who are being sent a particular message, within the email notification. Then we'd be able to tell WHO is in on a particular thread, instead of trying to reply with a note that specifies something involving an individual, and wondering why they're not responding - and finding out that they aren't in on the thread! OR - opposite of this, not knowing that the thread is not PRIVATE and that the client is in on a thread. For what it’s worth, here’s our vote for this as well - We’d like to see a list of all people who are being sent a particular message, within the email notification. Then we’d be able to tell WHO is in on a particular thread, instead of trying to reply with a note that specifies something involving an individual, and wondering why they’re not responding – and finding out that they aren’t in on the thread! OR – opposite of this, not knowing that the thread is not PRIVATE and that the client is in on a thread.

2009-11-05T15:04:43Z

36622

9234

2009-11-05T15:04:43Z

13868

has no one thought about doing this? has no one thought about doing this?

2009-11-05T09:30:23Z

36620

10569

2009-11-05T09:30:23Z

3458

Hi bbulkow. There are two separate subjects in your question that I'd like to see if I could help you with. I'll start with clearing up a misunderstanding in Basecamp's functionality and then address how Basecamp fits in with both traditional and agile project management principals. *Functionality* You can attach multiple ToDo lists to a single milestone. When creating a ToDo list there will be a dropdown under the question "Does this relate to a milestone?". You can select the same milestone many times when creating a ToDo list. You can also edit an existing ToDo list to attach it to a milestone. By doing this, you can then view individual milestones and see all the corresponding ToDo lists required to complete that milestone. Also, you can comment on milestones, messages, _and individual to do items_. *Comparing/Contrasting with other PM methodologies* I noticed in the beginning of your statement that you seemed to hone in a bit on things like dependencies, time, and estimates. The thing with Basecamp is it doesn't try to replace your brain (and this is why I love it). I know this may sound odd, but I'm serious, that's the key thing to keep in mind as you evaluate the tool. It's true that some tasks need to be completed before others; but instead of making you link everything (dependencies) you can just organize things by priority from top to bottom. Instead of you choosing a specific day (estimated dates) for every task, you identify only the important dates with milestones. Instead of spending a bunch of time estimating each and every task (estimates of time), just figure out what seems like a reasonable amount to bite off for a particular time period and get going on those tasks. There's another thing to note about the lack of dates on ToDo items. It's pretty hard to know 1 or 2 months out the _exact_ day a small task is going to be completed on. What happens with a traditional project plan is that once dates are missed on some things (inevitable when you're assigning dates to small tasks) then it creates an environment where dates don't matter. (Poison in my opinion) Because, how does a team know what dates do matter and what dates don't matter when some dates are missed and no one cares? As for using Basecamp in Agile environements there's a lot of ways you can do it. I just organize ToDo lists as a "Sprint" and then put user stories as messages. If we need to reference the stories then we do. You can also create a ToDo list as a user story by putting the story in the description of the ToDo list. Then create the individual tasks required to complete that story as the individual ToDo's. Attach a group of these Stories (ToDo Lists) to a milestone and you've got your sprint. I've also read of others creating a message for user stores and creating ToDo lists for the stories, and then tying them together with the milestones. Basecamp gives you the freedom to organize things the way you want, so there's not really any way your "supposed" to do anything. And, I can say without question that I'm able to manage _at least_ twice as much when using Basecamp to manage a project than when I use other tools. I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully you found this beneficial and sorry if I rambled on for too long. Hi bbulkow. There are two separate subjects in your question that I’d like to see if I could help you with. I’ll start with clearing up a misunderstanding in Basecamp’s functionality and then address how Basecamp fits in with both traditional and agile project management principals. Functionality You can attach multiple ToDo lists to a single milestone. When creating a ToDo list there will be a dropdown under the question “Does this relate to a milestone?”. You can select the same milestone many times when creating a ToDo list. You can also edit an existing ToDo list to attach it to a milestone. By doing this, you can then view individual milestones and see all the corresponding ToDo lists required to complete that milestone. Also, you can comment on milestones, messages, and individual to do items. Comparing/Contrasting with other PM methodologies I noticed in the beginning of your statement that you seemed to hone in a bit on things like dependencies, time, and estimates. The thing with Basecamp is it doesn’t try to replace your brain (and this is why I love it). I know this may sound odd, but I’m serious, that’s the key thing to keep in mind as you evaluate the tool. It’s true that some tasks need to be completed before others; but instead of making you link everything (dependencies) you can just organize things by priority from top to bottom. Instead of you choosing a specific day (estimated dates) for every task, you identify only the important dates with milestones. Instead of spending a bunch of time estimating each and every task (estimates of time), just figure out what seems like a reasonable amount to bite off for a particular time period and get going on those tasks. There’s another thing to note about the lack of dates on ToDo items. It’s pretty hard to know 1 or 2 months out the exact day a small task is going to be completed on. What happens with a traditional project plan is that once dates are missed on some things (inevitable when you’re assigning dates to small tasks) then it creates an environment where dates don’t matter. (Poison in my opinion) Because, how does a team know what dates do matter and what dates don’t matter when some dates are missed and no one cares? As for using Basecamp in Agile environements there’s a lot of ways you can do it. I just organize ToDo lists as a “Sprint” and then put user stories as messages. If we need to reference the stories then we do. You can also create a ToDo list as a user story by putting the story in the description of the ToDo list. Then create the individual tasks required to complete that story as the individual ToDo’s. Attach a group of these Stories (ToDo Lists) to a milestone and you’ve got your sprint. I’ve also read of others creating a message for user stores and creating ToDo lists for the stories, and then tying them together with the milestones. Basecamp gives you the freedom to organize things the way you want, so there’s not really any way your “supposed” to do anything. And, I can say without question that I’m able to manage at least twice as much when using Basecamp to manage a project than when I use other tools. I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully you found this beneficial and sorry if I rambled on for too long.

2009-11-05T05:45:03Z

36618

12471

2009-11-05T05:45:03Z

16890

I am also awaiting this feature. Adding a to-do list name column to the time tracking reports would be an elegant way for us to (for example) distinguish billable hours from non-billable hours. I am also awaiting this feature. Adding a to-do list name column to the time tracking reports would be an elegant way for us to (for example) distinguish billable hours from non-billable hours.

2009-11-05T02:37:39Z

36617

11187

2009-11-05T02:37:39Z

19201

Would it be possible to add tags to items as a way to sub categorize them (maybe not everyting, but at least files). Let´s say that i have a main category for my powerpoint presentations called "presentations" and then be able to add a set of tags narrowing down the presentation topic. This would make it easy to find the presentations uploaded containing a spesific topic. This would be a real usability boost feature for BaseCamp that i think most users would love to se hapeing because having only one category for files makes it somewhat hard to use for a medium sized project without "hacking it" by using some naming scheme for categories. Would it be possible to add tags to items as a way to sub categorize them (maybe not everyting, but at least files). Let´s say that i have a main category for my powerpoint presentations called “presentations” and then be able to add a set of tags narrowing down the presentation topic. This would make it easy to find the presentations uploaded containing a spesific topic. This would be a real usability boost feature for BaseCamp that i think most users would love to se hapeing because having only one category for files makes it somewhat hard to use for a medium sized project without “hacking it” by using some naming scheme for categories.

2009-11-04T22:44:55Z

36613

12473

2009-11-04T22:44:55Z

19190

Thanks for the idea, Josh. We can definitely consider adding this. Thanks for the idea, Josh. We can definitely consider adding this.

2009-11-04T20:40:15Z

36604

12469

2009-11-04T20:40:15Z

4715

Unfortunately this isn't something we offer in Basecamp at this time. Tasks do need to be assigned individually. Unfortunately this isn’t something we offer in Basecamp at this time. Tasks do need to be assigned individually.

2009-11-04T20:35:48Z

36603

12465

2009-11-04T20:35:48Z

4715

We don't offer this currently, but we hope to at a later date. We don’t offer this currently, but we hope to at a later date.

2009-11-04T20:35:17Z

36602

12466

2009-11-04T20:35:17Z

4715