We came across this gem from '06, we find it astonishingly relevant today. Check it out.
Through songs, comic wisdom and visual aides, New York Times columnist David Pogue makes mincemeat out of the complexity that plagues so many technology products and services.
If you're having lunch at your desk, why not kick your feet up and watch the whole thing. It's stimulating, inspiring and he provides lots of great case studies that you can take with you.
If you're short on time, we've listed the time codes of some of our favorite moments below:
6:40 – The software upgrade paradox: if you improve a piece of software enough times, you ruin it. Interesting point on the allure of excessive unnecessary power.
7:40 – Check out what Microsoft Word looks like with ALL the toolbars open. Hilarious and scary – the result of excessive unnecessary power!
9:40 – Example of how intelligence trumps consistency. This reminded us of the saying "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds." It's certainly true of small-minded software.
20:00 – Pogue talks about how a product upgrade doesn't have to have new features, it just has to be improved. So true.
Those are classic examples of the "simplicity sells" philosophy that drives not only Glance; but so many good, elegant apps today.
As David says at the end of the presentation, "This cult of doing things right is starting to spread." Looking back, his remarks had plenty of foresight.
We're not big on cults at Glance, but as far as cults go, the Cult Of Doing Things Right is a pretty appealing one. Join us.
–- Rich Baker, CEO and Founder Glance Networks
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