37signals just released their PDF book/manifesto, “Getting Real.” (Disclosure: I’m quoted in the book.) I read this a couple of weeks ago in one sitting, and really loved it. I suspect that half the people who read it will react with complete opposition — just like many did to my “Web Development 2.0” post — and the other half may love it a little too much (as I did). The interesting question for any product development team is, why do we love it or hate it? I’d bet this will be one of the best mirrors on which such a group could reflect at the moment. Very much worth checking out, both to understand how 37signals makes their products, and to understand better what you want to make with your life.
(Of course, I’m also interested to see them selling it as a self-published PDF book. There’s a lot to like about that model…)