Campfire vs. Meebo Oct11 '07

I've never really been a fanatic for 37Signals products, but not because I wouldn't find their software useful, it's just that they charge monthly fees for products that are often available elsewhere free of charge. So the question then is, does 37Signals do a good enough job convincing me that their products are better than the free alternatives - enough so to pay monthly fees?

The answer to that is no. At least, it's always been "no," but maybe some day that will change.

An example to prove my point is Campfire: "a real-time, web-based group chat tool for business." Campfire is simply a chat room on steroids. Where have I heard that phrase before? Oh yes, Meebo Rooms.

Campfire offers some unique features that make it stand out over conventional instant-message chat rooms:

Permanent URL
Cross-network support
File sharing
Chat history
Security

These are great features, and for just $50 per month (the bulkiest plan), you can have 60 simultaneous chatters, 2 GB file space, and SSL security.

Or... you can use Meebo Rooms, get the same features, for $0 per month. Which would you prefer?

Categories: Instant Message , Meebo , Software

Add Feedback (view all)

Leave feedback

Feedback

Input format: The editor controls below will assist with Markdown syntax.

Status

Sub-status

Your info Name: Email (will not show on page):

Follow new comments via email? (You can turn this off any time)

Do you want your comments emailed to yourself?

Home Page (optional):

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.