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Old 03-10-2011, 12:46 PM   #35
emalvick
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Posts: 166
Karma: 5358
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Davis, CA
Device: Kindle 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by ricsmania View Post
People, the Kindle is supposed to be simple to use, even for someone who has never used a computer. If they added options for every little detail of the device, it would grow into a monster that eventually gets out of control.

I work with software development, and adding an option (even a simples yes/no) is a very expensive process, because it makes the software complexity grow exponentially: if you have 1 yes/no option, you have 2 possible scenarios; with 2 options, 4 scenarios, 3 options, 8 scenarios, and so on.

So from a developer perspective, it's better to make a change that makes 5% of customers unhappy, than adding an option and increase the complexity of the system, causing a bug or making it hard to use.

And I still keep my opinion about locations: when I'm reading a novel the least thing I want to do is math, or anything that isn't related to the story. For that reason, in my opinion showing locations is a useless feature, and I'm glad they removed it from the screen.
This is the problem with the software industry.

1. It is all about making less work for themselves. Adding customizability does not mean software has to be complicated. That is why there are defaults. It also seems to represent what features software developers think users want or should have rather than what they truly want.

2. As far as bugs and complexity in the software goes, what is wrong with software developers actually testing and debugging? People aren't asking for a ton of features. We just want some features back.

3. Your difference of opinion on locations is proof that there should be some options. Some of us like locations. Some of us can handle the math. As I stated in my first point, your opinion does not necessarily represent what others want and that is the flaw with not having options.

I am pretty sure this change is bothering more than just 5% of the people. There is this ignorance in the software (and really all products) that only a few people are going to be unhappy with a lack of or change of a feature. Rarely are things that straight forward, and nothing is ever so perfect.
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