So... he's basically saying that "there is no Rails Inc" because of two reasons:
1. If he does go full time Rails, it's not going to be the "best".
2. If he does it, it will be "unfair" to competitors.
In my opinion it's a bunch of BS. Because there is already "Rails Inc" and it's called 37 signals. Rails is their most valuable product. They are making money on it, riding all the positive Rails PR, promoting the hell out of their relatively weak offerings (basecamp, ta-da lists). Very similar to how Joel makes money on his "Joel on Software" blog.
Have you seen all the Ruby/Rails books sold by Prag? I'm sure those are heavy hitters compare to some random authors by O'Reilly. I'm sure O'Reilly is bitter that he can't be the ONE in Rails book publishing
Sure there are many "consultants". On the other hand, I'm sure people would prefer to hire consultants from Pragmatic Programmers or those Rails authors that published books under Prag Prog.
I don't think it's a fair playing field since PragProg is the Rails Inc. if you watch it carefully.
Except they don't do consulting, there are only 2 of them, and running Pragmatic Studios is their full time job. The point is moot anyway, there is way more Rails work floating around right now then could go to a select group of 50 (ish) people.
I'm sure they do whenever they have time. Plus the people affiliated with Pragmatic people are the ones who do the consulting. Either way it looks Rail Inc. enough to me. Just a matter of the number of people available to do the consulting projects.
Maybe 50 people in the world associated with Pragmatic Studio, yet there 1600 people at RailsConf, most of who work with Rails full time. Sorry, that argument just doesn't cut it.
Perhaps what he means is that the "ecosystem" is a pretty level playing field right now. Since 37 signals conspicuously does not do rails development, service or support, anyone can jump in and play in that space.
I wonder what's the percentage of code that 37signals produces that goes into Rails itself, and how does it compare to their actual applications. I bet it's something like 9 to 1.
Don't get me wrong, I love Rails and thank you, 37signals, But let's not distort the reality: Rails is their biggest cash cow they are milking, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
How can it be a cash cow when there is no direct revenue from it? Rails is fantastic advertising for their company but it's their products that make them money. Rails just brings awareness.
1. If he does go full time Rails, it's not going to be the "best". 2. If he does it, it will be "unfair" to competitors.
In my opinion it's a bunch of BS. Because there is already "Rails Inc" and it's called 37 signals. Rails is their most valuable product. They are making money on it, riding all the positive Rails PR, promoting the hell out of their relatively weak offerings (basecamp, ta-da lists). Very similar to how Joel makes money on his "Joel on Software" blog.