I guess you've not looked at http://37signals.com before posting this?
> So I have to install Ruby, Rails and a gazilion of their custom scripts to use their "product"?
No. You need a browser though, because it is web-based.
I have looked at their website several times. It just never grabs me. And I'm not inclined to give them my email address to try out their amazing "solution".
Do you also sell something people do not need? And does it make you uncomfortable when people who do not need it mentions that to an audience via HN, the same way 37Signals keeps working to make mention of itself, or have others do so, in publications with large audiences.
If I have no need for a service someone is selling and I never hear about that service, then I have no reason (maybe even no ability) to to state what I think about that service. But if in the course of reading the "news" I am continually reminded of the service's existence, I may be inclined to comment. That is the risk you take with PR and advertising, or internet-based hype in general.
So it seems that 37Signals sells the use of their forum software (constructed from Ruby on Rails, i.e., free software), hosted on 37Signals' computers. I am getting a clearer picture now.
I'm not by any means suggesting that you're stupid or out of your league, but simply that you are talking about something that you are clearly completely unfamiliar with. Have you ever managed a team of people and projects? Once you do you will understand what an incredible pain in the ass it is to rely on email and spreadsheets. Full disclosure- I am NOT a 37Signals customer, nor do I know anybody affiliated with the company. Simply that project management software is a very real need for a very large number of teams. One of their partners created Ruby on Rails to create Basecamp, then released the framework for anybody to use and remained as a core contributor.
Why would you care about that? How could this person from antiquity know anything useful?
Interesting.
I personally don't think it is that great, with many pain points that I encounter - which, I will concede, may be a case of using the wrong tool for the job over any shortcomings in the product itself - but it is better over having no group messaging system at all if you are working with multiple people at a distance.