Is less really more?
37 Signals has been leading the crusade to change the philosophy on the usability software, from powerful & robust to simplistic & efficient (for those who are unaware, their online project management tool, Basecamp, is often seen as the antidote to Microsoft Project). The idea is the 80/20 adage, that 80% of the users only use 20% of a software’s functionality… except in this case maybe it’s more 90/10. In their own words:
“We believe software is too complex. Too many features, too many buttons, too much to learn. We build web-based products that do less, work smarter, feel better, and are easier to use…“
With all the talk about Fortune 5,000,000, Small Is The New Big, The Long Tail, etc., it’s obvious there is business to be made towards the small/medium enterprise, so variety becomes the catalyst… more uses, more choices –> more effeciency, more development. Ironically, “less is more” becomes a piece of “more being more”.
In anycase, the trend is alive and I’m personally excited about more products, such as LessAccounting, being developed, because any tool that helps a small company embrace being smart, agile, and efficient (i.e. progressive) is going to help deliver services and products that I’ll embrace.
Swedish blogs about: Basecamp, 37signals, projekthantering, Microsoft, småföretagande
[Tags] 37 Signals, Basecamp, LessAccounting, Business Software [/Tags]
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2 Comments
- Steven A Bristol replied:
Thank you for your kind words. If you sign up for the private beta at http://lessaccounting.com I’ll send you an invite.
March 24th, 2007 at 3:31 am. Permalink.
- Jabe replied:
Thank you for illustrating my point,lucy
May 18th, 2010 at 9:12 am. Permalink.
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