Jason Lynes is perturbed at Inman’s Mint 2 marketing machine. Which is, of course, amusing, since a bunch of people were perturbed about the same thing on upon Mint’s initial release. People will never believe it, I’m sure, but Shaun did the same thing anyone would do if they were releasing an app: he asked his friends to beta test it for him. There was nothing more to the agreement. Us beta testers were never promised a free anything, and were never asked to publicly rave, defend, or link to the product or its author. Some of us did so, because we like it, but certainly not because Shaun asked. Jason Lynes generally seems like a good guy and is a talented designer, but this post is nothing but a bunch of sour grapes (and, frankly, it’s not the first post of his that’s come off that way).
001 // jason lynes // 01.30.2007 // 11:57 PM
you’re a good sport for still linking to me after all the crap i’ve given you. this isn’t sour grapes or jealousy, i’m just having some fun with you guys.
just wait until the bowling trash talking gets started…
002 // Shaun Inman // 01.31.2007 // 4:37 PM
It’s also not the first one about me that’s come off that way. But I can take it.
003 // Dan Cederholm // 01.31.2007 // 7:02 PM
I linked to Shaun’s update, and I wasn’t even a beta tester :) I linked it because I think Mint is a great product, and I dig Shaun’s work. Just like anyone else who linked it.
Then again, I’m just the guy who ripped off the Utah quarter design.
004 // jason lynes // 02.01.2007 // 12:38 AM
dan dan dan, i didn’t accuse you of ripping it off.. i just live in a state where the beehive is plastered all over the place, the least of which being a rejected quarter design. i said the logo’s hot! just a tad mormon.
but seriously, nice linkage to the site. it means you guys are keeping up with the criticism. must be a nice departure from the constant praise you guys are accustomed to..
005 // Jeff Croft // 02.01.2007 // 12:44 AM
Jason, every year or two someone new comes along with the big idea of publicly bashing all the well-respected web design bloggers. We’re used to it, but somehow it still amuses. It’s a tired old act, but it always brings a smile to my face.
Nothing feels as good as pointing out the shortcomings of others, huh? I mean, really. Browsing through your site for the first time tonight, I’m realizing that a very large portion of your posts are either there to bash on someone else or pump yourself up. Both of which come off as pretty pathetic.
Don’t worry, though. I’m not going to hunt you down at SXSW. I understand that it’s easy to fall into the trap of being a royal ass online…especially when you’re too pussy to have comments on your site (can dish it but can’t take it, I presume?). I forgive you.
Thanks for the entertainment, man.
006 // Maleika // 02.01.2007 // 6:27 PM
Is bashing a new marketing/promotion plot?
If it is, it seems to have worked looking at the designers who have responded.
007 // Jeff Croft // 02.01.2007 // 6:54 PM
Bashing is indeed a marketing/promotion plot — but it’s not new or novel by any means.
BTW, Maleika, I love the design of your site!
008 // Maleika // 02.01.2007 // 9:10 PM
If it at least were sharp minded cynicism or any other cerebral virtue worth to be split into the smallest atom, it’d be a lot more thought provoking or at least enough for a good laugh.
“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
Think that fits the bill quite well.
009 // Greg // 02.02.2007 // 12:50 AM
Jason, the language you write with implies nothing fun at all. Like Jeff says, your act isn’t new—as a group we’ve been through this many, many times before—and I hope you’ll adjust it a tad for future posts.
010 // jason lynes // 02.03.2007 // 11:49 PM
after considering the differences between the way my post was intended and the ways it was taken, i’ve posted an apology.
and i’ve added comments.
hope all can be smoothed over. Jeff, Shaun, Dan, and Greg, expect an email shortly with a personal apology.
011 // Jeff Croft // 02.04.2007 // 12:27 AM
Mad props to you, Jason, for being the bigger man here. I apologize, as well, for the tone of my last comment. That was unnecessary. As I said in your comments, your work is good enough to stand on it’s own without you needing to resort to the bashing of others for attention. Let your work get you the attention — and it will, because it’s really good.
No hard feelings. :)