Why open source matters to 37signals

Open source has always played a big role at 37signals. This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share why they’re drawn to working in the open, and how that mindset carries into their newest product, Fizzy.

Key Takeaways

• 00:12 – Why open source continues to matter at 37signals
• 05:12 – Sharing work publicly pushes quality higher
• 09:55 – How open source fits into Fizzy’s SaaS setup
• 15:15 – Treating open source as a gift
• 19:41 – Getting direct feedback in unfamiliar but fun ways 
• 22:56 – How the team decides what goes into Fizzy and what doesn’t
• 24:34 – A Danish language lesson

Links and Resources

• Fizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.do
• Record a video question for the podcast
• Books by 37signals
• Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
• HEY World | HEY
• The REWORK podcast
• The Rework Podcast on YouTube
• The 37signals Dev Blog
• 37signals on YouTube
• @37signals on X