HuddleChat is dead, long live Campfire

Filed under: Developer, Internet, Web services, Google, web 2.0

HuddleChat is dead, long live Campfire

by Brad Linder Apr 9th 2008

That certainly didn't take long. Just a day after going live, HuddleChat is no more. HuddleChat was a web-based multi-user chat room utilizing the new Google App Engine. It bore a striking resemblance to Campfire, a similar application from 37signals. The main difference was that Campfire used a freemium model (free for up to 4 users, fee for more users), while HuddleChat was completely free.

Now, technically, there's nothing wrong with developing an application that looks and feels a lot like a competing application. After all, is it surprising that two web-based multi-user chat rooms are going to look a lot alike? You have a chat window, a message window, a friends list window, and so on. It all seems rather obvious. But while Google App Engine is open to anybody (or at least the first 10,000 users to sign up during the beta), HuddleChat was actually written by two Google employees during their free time. And that made it hard to see as anything other than a direct strike at 37signals' Campfire. It sort of screamed "Hey, we like your product, now we're going to clone it, make it free, and drive you out of business!"

Needles to say, 37signals wasn't very happy to see HuddleChat, and now there's a message on the HuddleChat web site explaining that the application has been removed. So now if you want a multi-user, web-based chat room with transcripts and file uploads for team meetings or group chats, it looks like you'll have to stick with Campfire. Until someone else comes along with a free clone.

Tags: campfire, chat, group-chat, huddlechat

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kesey said 8:29AM on 4-09-2008

Now that is lame. People created a free app to compete with 37Signals. Instead of crying about it, 37Signals should get their shit together and create something innovative that would make it worth it to use their service instead of something free. It's only a matter of time before they face competition that won't be as friendly.

Tom said 8:38AM on 4-09-2008

Well, someone was spamming the readwriteweb topic on it for deskcafe.com, claiming that was their competition for campfire.

I think their main page looks awful (what colors!), but I haven't tried the product.

Also, check out 37signals post years ago saying they didn't fear google, when their recent actions indicate otherwise:
http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/google_does_not_render_resistance_futile.php

shar said 8:53AM on 4-09-2008

and here I thought it's free market, how wrong I was.

Victor Agreda, Jr. said 8:54AM on 4-09-2008

Well, at least we know it can be done. So there's really nothing stopping someone from pricing under 37s' somewhat steep scheme, is there?

Personally I think it sucks they took it down... Why not remove Gmail because it completely killed pay-for-play email services?

Wah wah wah, welcome to Innovation Central.

step21 said 8:58AM on 4-09-2008

That sucks. Put it up again google, bad move 37signals.

Rick Mason said 10:15AM on 4-09-2008

I'm really surprised Google backed down on this. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone else builds the same thing. I'm tempted to go work on it right now, it's not like 37Signals has done anything terribly unique or innovative with Campfire. Their reaction to this only makes me happier that I've found other alternatives to their products that work better and cost less.

Kyle said 10:15AM on 4-09-2008

Irony,

Google App Engine, and Huddle Chat with it, were introduced at a Google meeting called "Campfire"....

Sounds a little more sinister to me..

Kyle said 10:15AM on 4-09-2008

here's the link:
http://code.google.com/campfire/

Deano said 10:19AM on 4-09-2008

I suppose this is the expected ethical behaviour from a company whose every action has potentially devastating effects on small companies.

Still it's odd that while they could code up free replacements for any existing app, I don't see that Google actually have a convincing history of compelling design. I love Gmail and Calendar is nice but in other areas beyond search I don't see where Google have actually innovated.

I have a few notes on Notebook but the interface is soulless and clunky. Google Apps has it's uses but for regular work a desktop app remains the preeminent tool.

The problem for 37Signals is that someone not employed by Google codes up a Campfire replacement on the new platform.

I would welcome competition in this area. I'm not looking to dump Backpack etc but some of the pricing is a bit rich for me.

idontgetit said 1:31PM on 4-09-2008

seriously, WTF? its not like campfire re-invented the wheel. their entire service basically ripped off AOL chat rooms circa 1989

dc said 3:48PM on 4-09-2008

I just lost respect for 37Signals. That's weak.

chief said 4:19PM on 4-09-2008

Maybe Yahoo! or Microsoft should e-mail Google and tell them their search engine is too much like their competing products.

Rimu said 7:58PM on 4-09-2008

IRC

like campfire, only without the web 2.0

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