I agree with 37signals that most if not all sofware is feature packed for the sake of features and need simplification. But less is not always the answer is it? As Donald Norman suggests, we’ll be happy with our simple “less” experiences until someone comes along and suggests that “for our convienience” they have combined and converged our interfaces, web apps, devices, etc. The pendulum will swing back towards the feature packed, convenient side….that is, until we get fed up with complexity againand seek out simplicity.

In other words- a pendulum.

Instead of forcing the swing back towards simplicity (as 37signals advocates) should we not instead focus on reducing the swing of the pendulum? Create a balance of features and simplicity that is a give and take of experience *and* features.

To quote Norman:
“We are always caught in the bind of wanting our devices to be straightforward and simple, while simultaneously wanting them to do more and more things.”

We might never achieve any balance (as he suggests immediatly following that statement). I’ve gotten fed up with my software and paid for a Backpack account. It was a relief for awhile. Designed with simlicity in mind. Unfortantly- it’s not the same simplicity I had in mind.

So now I’m stuck between the overly simplified backpack, and the overly complex “everything else.”

So what do I conclude? I’m going to start my own company. Our motto is going to be “Less features than Microsoft, but a few more than 37Signals.”

I’m looking for VC funding as we speak.