[finders] Software Wizardry

[finders at findability.org]

December 11, 2006: Software Wizardry

http://www.findability.org/archives/000151.php

Anyone who's fought for the user experience will appreciate this excerpt
from a New York Times interview with Microsoft's Senior VP for Online
Services:

---

Microsoft lost its way, Mr. Berkowitz says, because it became too enamored
with software wizardry, like its new three-dimensional map service, and
failed to make a search engine people liked to use.

"A lot of decisions were driven by technology; they were not driven by the
consumer," he said. "It isn't always the best technology that wins. It is
the best experience."

---

Mr. Berkowitz compared his move from Ask Jeeves to Microsoft as stepping
from a rowboat onto a cruise ship. I wonder if he's been watching reruns of
Titantic.

Strange Connections

This interview with Chris Farnum is excellent (and fun in a Car Talk sorta
way).

In geospatial news, GeoTec and Where 2.0 are seeking speakers.

Andy King has a nice article on the interaction of delay, breadth, and
familiarity.