Somebody stop feature creep
Apple recently unveiled its new version of the macOS operating system, and, as usual, this event was accompanied by enthusiastic comments and promises about a lot of new features. However, despite the enthusiastic words of the company's top managers, many users began to wonder: "Why?". New features, like the ability to add widgets to the desktop, caused confusion and a feeling that the company was moving away from its ideology of minimalism.
This situation raises an important question: when do new features make the product better, and when do they make it worse? Why can't companies stop in a timely manner and keep adding features that users don't always need? Let's try to figure it out.
Redundant features and software overload
The words "feature creep," "software bloat" and "bells and whistles" describe problems related to redundancy of functions and software overload. Feature creep is the process of constantly adding new features that, in fact, can make the product less convenient and difficult to understand.
Software bloat is a phenomenon when a program becomes heavier and requires more resources (memory, storage, processor time), without providing significant improvements in return. Bells and whistles are superfluous decorative elements or functions that do not bring real value, but can create a sense of redundancy.
Examples from the past
History is full of examples when redundant functions and software overload have made products less convenient and understandable. For example, CD burning programs like NERO Burning ROM have become so overloaded with features that users felt like they were controlling a monster with a thousand tentacles when they just wanted to burn a disc. Photoshop's video editing features may be useful, but they make the program more complex and voluminous, and video editors could do a better job of this task. Even functions like "stories" in messengers can litter the workspace and distract from basic communications.
Why is this happening?
Why can't companies stop and keep adding new features, even when they may be redundant? Everything is connected with the desire to constantly innovate and provide something new for users. Competition in the software market forces companies to add new features to stand out from the competition.
What to do?
To avoid redundancy of functions and software overload, companies should focus on really useful and meaningful functions that improve the user experience. It is also important to listen carefully to user reviews and analyze which features are really in demand. Users, in turn, can carefully evaluate software updates and do not hesitate to express their opinions about unnecessary functions. This will help to create software that really meets the needs of users, and is not overloaded with useless "whistles and farts".
So, innovation is important, but only if it makes the product better, and not complicate its use. A balanced and attentive approach to software development helps to create products that really benefit and delight users.