Jan 30, 2008

Simplicity = utility

Marco built (well, released) something called Instapaper the other day which allows one to save web articles to read later.

Its goal is simple (save to read later), its functionality is simple (click the read later button/bookmarket) and its design is simple (only 61 words -- including credits - on the front page!). Nothing that couldn't be accomplished, I suppose, with delicious or a million other services. Yet I am now getting addicted to Instapaper, I think because design (front end or functionality-wise) really does matter in achieving a stated goal for web products.

Simplicity of design + simplicity of purpose = enormous utility and value to users.

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