Powerful simplicity

Reading an article from eWeek “Programmers to Blame for Hard-to-Use Software” I ask myself is that really programmers that we should blame? Look at cell phone or even TV-set users. Aren’t they suffering from the same problems? Bjarne Stroustrup was one of the first to notice this:

“I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.”

So, is the problem in cell phones or TV-sets manufacturers and designers? No! The problem is in the market that demands new products with new features. It does not matter whether the feature is useful or not. You just have to have them more than competitor has.

So, again, think twice before adding new “feature” to your product. Maybe it would be better to make existing functions more useful and usable?