Topic: How are you using Basecamp? / Anyone use BC for Web Design Projects?

kshock,

I just wrote a post about Elance’s great Private Message Board system.

http://forum.37signals.com/basecamp/forums/3/topics/5476

They really have the interface planned well. I have never had an Elance client who failed to “get” how to use it.

Someone outside Elance, whether 37signals or someone else, needs to create a solution just like it. (I’ll get involved in that project if someone wants to partner up!)

John
summer9consulting@gmail.com

Topic: Feature Requests / Use Basecamp like a Private Message Board

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

Topic: Feature Requests / Posting comments to a message by replying

Elance has this feature on their Private Message Boards. They take close to a 10% commission from every project that I do for a client on that site… but having this feature is really worth it. It works GREAT.

Topic: Feature Requests / finer grained permissions

I echo this.

I want everyone to be able to read/write, but no one be able to edit or delete.
I want to use it as a permanent archive of the conversation that goes on with clients, including agreements and change orders that are made.