REWORK The itch for a new version
76 snips
Nov 5, 2025 
Jason Fried, Co-founder and CEO of 37signals, shares insights into the evolution of Basecamp. He discusses recognizing the right moment for a complete overhaul versus incremental updates. Jason highlights the delicate balance between customer comfort and necessary changes. He sheds light on the significance of user feedback and how it shapes product decisions, emphasizing the need to wait before making changes. Finally, he offers a tantalizing sneak peek into Basecamp 5, focusing on enhanced experiences and new features.
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When To Build From Scratch
- Radical new product ideas sometimes can't be bolted onto an existing codebase and require rebuilding from scratch.
- Jason Fried compares major redesigns to building a new house or car generation when the chassis no longer fits new ideas.
Basecamp's Version History
- Basecamp launched in 2004 and evolved through major versions where some were full rebuilds and others were morphs.
- Jason explains the company still runs Classic, Two, and Four while Five will morph from Four for a smoother transition.
Balance Familiarity And Change
- Make new versions familiar enough to avoid shocking users while still delivering substantial new utility.
- Balance freshness with recognizability so users can adopt changes without feeling the rug was pulled out.