As an early beta tester and long time user of SmugMug I’ve been impressed with its ability to do the thing it’s supposed to do really well. Too many services have tried to hang all sorts of junk off their main service, changing things to the point where their core function suffers. The founder had shown an attribute we don’t normally associate with good companies/services: restraint.

SmugMug could have diluted itself by bolting on a chat app, or it could have gotten bogged down in endless site re-designs, or chased the suicidal “growth at any cost” goal. Remarkable that Don had the vision to not do these insane things. I wish these guys the best of luck with this new “turnaround“ project!