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I've been doing office hours via phone since Oct 2009 (http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1973-announcing-ceo-office-ho...).

It's been great. Lately I've been available less so I haven't been as consistent as I'd like to be, but it's definitely been worth it.

http://37signals.com/officehours

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Seems like there is a qualitative difference here, though. Your office hours are effectively 37signals customer support from the CEO. Fred's are more of an altruistic way to give back to the startup community. Both are great, just noting the distinction.

I'd be very interested if you tried Fred's style of office hours.

The majority of the calls I get are from entrepreneurs asking for business advice or my thoughts on their concept/ideas. I barely get any calls re: 37signals products.

Any chance you could elaborate more, please.

What has been interesting about it? or maybe, what has been different from, say, doing support a few hours a week?

Although, I am not sure if you have ever tried that.

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