Comments on: Are Choices Bad? http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/ analyzing the business and technology of the web Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:32:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Andy Brudtkuhl http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3502 Andy Brudtkuhl Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:39:46 +0000 http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3502 I agree. Migrating usability features such as keyboard shortcuts to the web should be embraced more. I love how Google embraces shortcuts. I'm back to not having to use my mouse because of keyboard shortcuts in Gmail, Calendar, and Reader. Aside from usability creating simplicity - there's a case for limiting functionality for simplicity. 37Signals has found their niche in this. And I think there are several additional niches that can be found by simplifying a software or service on the web. I agree. Migrating usability features such as keyboard shortcuts to the web should be embraced more. I love how Google embraces shortcuts. I’m back to not having to use my mouse because of keyboard shortcuts in Gmail, Calendar, and Reader.

Aside from usability creating simplicity - there’s a case for limiting functionality for simplicity. 37Signals has found their niche in this. And I think there are several additional niches that can be found by simplifying a software or service on the web.

]]> By: Brian White http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3447 Brian White Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:43:40 +0000 http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3447 Versioning can differentiate, yes, but fails when your beginners become experts. You don't want them stuck with software not designed for them and yet if you upgrade them to the "expert" version, suddenly they're beginners again becuse this version is different. Showing shortcut keys in menus is an excellent example of this. The beginner pulls down the menu and selects what he/she wants, but in doing so sees the "expert" way of doing things. It's a natural, painless migration. Versioning can differentiate, yes, but fails when your beginners become experts. You don’t want them stuck with software not designed for them and yet if you upgrade them to the “expert” version, suddenly they’re beginners again becuse this version is different.

Showing shortcut keys in menus is an excellent example of this. The beginner pulls down the menu and selects what he/she wants, but in doing so sees the “expert” way of doing things. It’s a natural, painless migration.

]]> By: Andy Brudtkuhl http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3427 Andy Brudtkuhl Fri, 24 Nov 2006 02:09:30 +0000 http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3427 I think everyone wants simplicity. I guess that's where versioning is beneficial. Give the experts what they want and give the beginners what they want. I think everyone wants simplicity. I guess that’s where versioning is beneficial. Give the experts what they want and give the beginners what they want.

]]> By: Brian White http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3418 Brian White Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:29:19 +0000 http://getanewbrowser.com/2006/11/are-choices-bad/#comment-3418 I agree, but it's a tough balance. Experts want functionality; beginners want simplicity. It's important never to frustrate your experts at the expense of the beginners. I agree, but it’s a tough balance. Experts want functionality; beginners want simplicity. It’s important never to frustrate your experts at the expense of the beginners.

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