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Software has come a long way since the concept of timesharing hit the early mainframe computers. The advancement of the PC has enlarged the authority of the individual during the design phase of software development. Applications with user-generated content have further pushed software design into an era where usability is king. The latest software and web services are redefining principles of customization and usability in order to better meet the needs of their userbase.

Google, the de facto is a big noise in modern, user-centric software services, makes products that emphasize high-value features, customization and flexibility. Gmail has set a standard for initiating software that provides high-value core services. Prior to Gmail clients had two general advantages when it came to email: an outlook account pulling their email onto their computer or a web-based service with limited storage space. Gmail started with 1 gigabyte of free storage. Storage became a killer factor that allowed users to keep their email in a web-based service that had an, in effect, unlimited potential to archive their old emails. A strong foundation of essential features has marked the launch and development of all of Google’ products from their Adwords service to Google Maps.

Recently, Google has made a manoeuvre in the line of customization. Gmail now has a great number of custom skins that permit each user to select a visual user interface that designate their personality. Google allows users to download any number of widgets from stock tickers to local weather feeds to customize their Google search page with the info they need most. Customization is making software exclusive. As a user, once we lay out time and money in customizing a service, we are less likely to make the switch to a competitive service that does not offer customization.

Elasticity in the form of constant connectivity is proving to be a game changer in the software industry. Google is leading the charge by building massively expanded applications in the cloud. The web 2.0 era saw a major trend in services that outspreaded the power of people’s computers through the connectivity of their internet connection. From Photobucket to Quickbooks, users and businesses are keeping more and more of their important information on the web. The rising number of available netbooks is an evidence to the power of web-based software and increasing reliability of web-based storage solutions.

Microsoft’s approach of developing software with a sensational number of bells and whistle is a comparative shotgun to Google’s sniper rifle. Don’t get me wrong, many programs such as Excel are greatly powerful tools that frankly blow away the competition when it comes to features. However, many times the countless number of bells and whistles can leave a user hunting for the central features where they derive the most value from the product. Looking at software with a view to the auto industry, Cadillacs had more options than the original Japanese imports, but in the last analysis the Japanese emphasis on core value and reliability trumped all the chrome spoilers that Detroit had to offer.

The final piece of the design puzzle is a deep understanding of a software’s userbase. This understanding does not necessarily purport building software for the mediocre user, but rather building software for the censorious user. Steve Hazelton (the CEO of Newton Inc) highlights a new trend in business software that requires the developer to make their product to fit the needs of hypercritical user, while still providing a serviceable platform for power users. This approach requires a software service to have a minimal learning curve for the person using the application the least. As up-to-date software continues to incorporate self-explanatory UIs and a go by high-value features, companies will reduce the ineffectiveness associated with the software adoption period.

With new companies pushing the limits and industry leader setting the standards, Software design is evolving at top speed. Vying pressure in the software industry is making design and usability paramount to success in the marketplace. For the sake of long days wasted in seminars learning useless features, lets hope that things keep moving in the right direction.

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