This email is inaccurate on one item: the Google contact actually gets the add contact request when the AIM user adds the Google contact (not when the AIM user sends the first message like the email states)
I would suggest experimenting with Groovy/Grails on some weekend projects. Grails is similar to Rails so you could easily leverage this knowledge if you ever wanted to move to RoR.
Beyond that I would agree with earlier commentators that the real action over the next few years will be in JavaScript. Both server and clientside. The former being particularly interesting.
I'd be curious to know how the pieces are secured against damage. Does one need to put down a security deposit while they are in possession of a piece? If so, is it the full cost of the work or some %? If not, how else are the pieces secured against damage?
I see advertisements day in and day out for BBM. Not for RIM's latest phone, not for a new RIM app, but specifically for BBM. Why? Because RIM has realized that one of the only things keeping a large % of their user base around is BBM. Their OS is horrible, their devices are nothing special, but BBM is arguably the best mobile messaging product out there (so good that Kik pretty much copied it exactly).
I have friends that won't replace their BBs solely because they feel as though they'll lose touch with their friends that use BBM (I know, SMS, email etc. all seem like fair replacements but in practice they aren't...BBM is superior for a # of reasons).
Now, what is Kik doing? It is offering a comparable messaging platform that allows BBM users to speak with their friends no matter what device they are using. If I tell my friends with BBs to get Kik and we all start to use it consistently, then eventually one of us can go get that iPhone we've always wanted. Then another one etc.
Kik is on the verge of breaking into the walled garden that is BBM and RIM is obviously not too happy about it.
(1) No, not at all. But I never claimed it was. I actually think it is a good idea to make automated messages appear to be from an actual individual...my point was that you need to be consistent...if you're going to be personal be personal throughout the entire process (and don't revert to a ticketing system halfway through...or don't let customers think you're reverting to a ticketing system).
(2) Again, related to the point above. I'm not bothered by the fact that they are using their software to manage their correspondence, I'm bothered that they tried to pretend they weren't. If I had sent an unsolicited e-mail I would have expected a prompt automated reply. But I didn't send an unsolicited e-mail, rather they reached out to me with questions and a misrepresentation of their knowledge of my company's website.
(3) I made it clear that it wasn't my style but that I understand how others may like it. And I don't agree with the implication that all "web companies" should be measured on different standards/metrics than brick-and-mortar companies.