We’re starting a short list of good reads. We want to share with you the best of the web, right in your inbox.
Starting tomorrow, we’re sending out “Incoming Transmission” a once-a-month newsletter that compiles the latest can’t-miss posts from SvN, along with great finds across the web from the staff at 37signals. It’s a simple, perfect-for-your-phone list of must-reads and “made us look.”
If you downloaded your free copy of Getting Real, you’re already on the list. You can opt out quick and easy if you decide you don’t like it.
Sign up for Incoming Transmission here.
Alistair
on 14 Jan 13Looks like 37signals is now in the business of professionally spamming people.
Given this announce and the recent Basecamp Breeze service – I foresee 37signals trying to become a major player in email harvesting people’s identities.
Alistair
on 14 Jan 13By the way, why is this blog post written by the generic “37signals” author name?
Brett Atkin
on 14 Jan 13”...professionally spamming people.” and ”...email harvesting people’s identities.” Huh Alistair?
You assume this because they are automatically adding people that downloaded their FREE copy of Getting Real?
Jakob Buis
on 14 Jan 13That’s not nice. I downloaded Getting Real 3+ years ago (if I recall correctly) and on that allows you to spam me? I already read everything on SVN, so yes this is spam: “unsolicited bulk messages, [...], indiscriminately” (Wikipedia, 2013).
Make this opt-in.
Justin Jackson
on 14 Jan 13@Jakob: They’re referring to the new Getting Real landing page: http://gettingreal.37signals.com/
(If you downloaded it 3 years ago, I don’t think you’re on this list)
This new landing page states you’ll get the book “and join their mailing list”.
Eric
on 14 Jan 13@Jakob I’m pretty sure you opted-in to their mailing list when providing your email to download the book. Why else would they want your email? Just to keep on record, waste database space, and never use it? Don’t think so.
Rajeev
on 14 Jan 13Oh well, people and outrage. :)
Good initiative. I’d love to see what you guys have to share — just subscribed.
GeeIWonder
on 14 Jan 13@Jakob I’m pretty sure you opted-in to their mailing list when providing your email to download the book. Why else would they want your email? Just to keep on record, waste database space, and never use it? Don’t think so.
I should hope not, as this is against the law in many many countries now. In the EU for example users explicitly have to opt-in.
Anyhow, Alistair’s reaction is understandable—if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck. I’d expect there’s something more clever on the horizon, but then again Breeze looks a lot like stuff that was fashionable over a decade ago. Around that time everyone would’ve been screaming bloody murder.
David Andersen
on 14 Jan 13Why is there always a turd comment in every post here? Do you people not have something better to do? Ever hear of ‘if you can’t say something nice…”
Anonymous
on 14 Jan 13Chill folks.
I seriously doubt there’s anything intentionally evil going on. It’s simply a newsletter. Subscribe (or not.)
If you fear you might be getting useful information because you previously downloaded “Getting Real” he said right there in the post: “You can opt out quick and easy if you decide you don’t like it.”
If this is the worst thing you have to be concerned with today, I’m thrilled for you.
GeeIWonder
on 15 Jan 13I seriously doubt there’s anything intentionally evil going on.
Agreed.
The potential problem lies with the ‘I’ll do it too’ers that abound here in particular. Bear in mind this is specifically targeted at a bunch of people who are reading a ‘you do it too - look how simple it is’ book.
However, it’s not always quite as easy or simple as it is made to seem. For example, contrary to your point, the possibility of opting out is NOT in and of itself above-board. In fact, it’s a longstanding characteristic sign of the opposite.
It’s not completely unreasonable to fear a new wave of people using Breeze or mailing lists or open relays or anything else to get their 0.005% clickthrough. Even a few idiots can make a whole lot of hassle in this respect (whose servers do I blacklist? what if my clients have blacklisted the 37s email servers?), not to mention the security and other implications.
Sacha Greif
on 15 Jan 13Very cool, just signed up. Funny how the answer to information overload turns out to be good old email… (something which 37Signals seems to know very well, see Basecamp Breeze).
May I also use the occasion to point out my own link newsletter project, Sidebar?
It gives you the 5 best design-related links of the day, and is curated by a couple great design people.
That's 'Mr Anonymous' for you
on 15 Jan 13That’s a pretty good idea, and the monthly frequency seems right to me.
Looking forward to receiving it.
Seriously
on 15 Jan 13Well, something is a little off here lately. Who is in charge?
Now email blasts? Nothing wrong on its face, but kind of like every-freaking-other uninspiring business out there. We expect more from 37.
This new SVN design is absolutely horrid and obnoxious to visit and read so I guess sending out emails with your articles may be necessary. I hope at least the emails include the entire posts and not just links back to this blinding snow storm of a blog.
Talk about too much noise and not enough signal….
ecbp
on 15 Jan 13Will you guys make the newsletter available online, or is it email only?
sulman
on 16 Jan 13nice post
Frank B
on 16 Jan 13I find it interesting that 37signals marks comments they don’t like but tell the truth about them with that silly face icon.
Jessica
on 17 Jan 13+1 Frank B
Mike
on 17 Jan 13I liked it. Thanks for sending this out.
This discussion is closed.