| Software has come a long way since the concept of | | | | valuable information on the web. The rising number of |
| timesharing hit the early mainframe computers. The | | | | available netbooks is a testament to the power of |
| rise of the PC has increased the importance of the | | | | web-based software and increasing reliability of |
| individual during the design phase of software | | | | web-based storage solutions. |
| development. Applications with user-generated | | | | Microsoft's approach of developing software with a |
| content have further pushed software design into an | | | | tremendous number of bells and whistle is a |
| era where usability is king. Modern software and web | | | | comparative shotgun to Google's sniper rifle. Don't |
| services are redefining principles of customization and | | | | get me wrong, many programs such as Excel are |
| usability in order to better meet the needs of their | | | | tremendously powerful tools that frankly blow away |
| userbase | | | | the competition when it comes to features. |
| Google, the de facto king pin of modern, user-centric | | | | However, many times the overwhelming number of |
| software services, creates products that emphasize | | | | bells and whistles can leave a user hunting for the |
| high-value features, customization and flexibility. Gmail | | | | core features where they derive the most value |
| has set a standard for launching software that | | | | from the product. Looking at software through the |
| provides high-value core services. Prior to Gmail | | | | lens of the auto industry, Cadillacs had more options |
| consumers had two general options when it came to | | | | than the original Japanese imports, but in the long run |
| email: an outlook account pulling their email onto their | | | | the Japanese emphasis on core value and reliability |
| computer or a web-based service with limited | | | | trumped all the chrome spoilers that Detroit had to |
| storage space. Gmail launched with 1 gigabyte of free | | | | offer. |
| storage. Storage became a killer feature that enabled | | | | The final piece of the design puzzle is a deep |
| users to keep their email in a web-based service that | | | | understanding of a software's userbase. This |
| had an essentially unlimited capacity to archive their | | | | understanding does not necessarily mean building |
| old emails. A strong foundation of core features has | | | | software for the average user, but rather building |
| marked the launch and development of all of Google' | | | | software for the critical user. I came across some |
| products from their Adwords service to Google | | | | great insight recently while reading over a post from |
| Maps. | | | | Steve Hazelton, the CEO of Newton Inc., a company |
| Recently, Google has made a move into | | | | that designs online recruiting software. In his recent |
| customization. Gmail now has a number of custom | | | | blog post, Hazelton highlights a new trend in business |
| skins that enable each user to select a visual user | | | | software that requires the developer to design their |
| interface that matches their personality. iGoogle | | | | product to fit the needs of their most critical user, |
| enables users to download any number of widgets | | | | while still providing an effective platform for power |
| from stock tickers to local weather feeds to | | | | users. This approach requires a software service to |
| customize their Google search page with the | | | | have a minimal learning curve for the person using |
| information they need most. Customization is making | | | | the application the least. As modern software |
| software personal. As a consumer, once we invest | | | | continues to incorporate self-explanatory UIs and a |
| time in customizing a service, we are less likely to | | | | focus on high-value features, companies will reduce |
| make the switch to a competitive service that does | | | | the inefficiency associated with the software |
| not offer customization. | | | | adoption period. |
| Flexibility in the form of constant connectivity is | | | | With new companies pushing the limits and industry |
| proving to be a game changer in the software | | | | leader setting the standards, Software design is |
| industry. Google is leading the charge by building | | | | evolving at a breakneck pace. Competitive pressure |
| massively scalable applications in the cloud. The web | | | | in the software industry is making design and usability |
| 2.0 era saw a major trend in services that extended | | | | paramount to success in the marketplace. For the |
| the power of people's computers through the | | | | sake of long days wasted in seminars learning useless |
| connectivity of their internet connection. From | | | | features, lets hope that things keep moving in the |
| Photobucket to Quickbooks, consumers and | | | | right direction. |
| businesses are storing more and more of their | | | | |