“Getting Real” is Un”Real”!

After my last post where I strongly conveyed my misgivings regarding on-line web apps I found myself looking at a few web apps to see if I were going to have to eat crow after my post.  While crow is not on my immediate menu, I have found that by looking into some of the referenced services included in the article “Work Smarter” that I referenced in my previous post I have found a VERY interesting book — available in on-line pdf or paperback, or just for on-line viewing — “Getting Real“. 

My title for this post indicates the general reception that I immediately gave this reading.  It is at the same time an excellent writing and expression of what I believe software “should” be, and also a controversial, helpful, destructive, right-on — OR totally Un”Real” approach to software development!  You decide!

Is this where application development is heading?  Is 37signals.com ahead of their time?  Do you agree with the concepts of this book? …partially agree?  Or perhaps vehemently DIS-agree?  Is “Getting Real” - “Real” — or Un”Real”?  As for me, I haven’t decided as yet, but I did sign up for one of their services to “try” the idea.  Time will tell I guess! 

…and I must admit that I was impressed with the user interfaces that I saw