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Joel Spolsky on Jam and coffee: resolving the conflict between power and simplicity

Page history last edited by Darren Miller 8 mos ago
Debate between Simplicity and Power. 
  • Simplicity = do one thing well, simplify, 80/20 rule
  • Power = features, options, capabilities
 
Features ⇨ choices ⇨ decisions ⇨ unhappiness
 
"Paradox of choice" by Barry Schwartz
 
"Getting real" by 37Signals
 
Every time you have an option in a dialog, you're asking someone to make a decision.
 
People want features and choices that support THEIR work.
 
It is borderline unethical to require your users to do something in a certain order (modal dialogs).
 
Elegance = "the modesty not to draw attention to the difficulties it has surmounted" (said by Alain de Botton) 

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