Simplicity IS the Next Killer App

In my email signature, I use a quote from Leonardo DaVinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  This is true today more so than ever, with the complexity of modern life, modern computing and the myriad of choices available to us.  Powerful ideas like simplification are timeless.

My blog titled “Less is More” is also largely themed on this idea—the idea that carefully removing unnecessary items and focusing on the minimal and correct set of items is the foundation of success.

For Apple, a simple and intuitive user interface was a key factor in its success.  But other factors are involved too, such as their use of a Smalltalk-patterned derivative of C (Objective-C) and good design, which helps them build and execute new ideas quickly.

For Google, I like the description of Google’s very simple homepage as a “closed Swiss army knife.”  This means it is simple, compact and non-intimidating, but has lots of features ready for use close by.

In past articles and presentations, I have expounded the idea that the industry borrowed most of the work and ideas that were done in Smalltalk as the backbone of modern computing.  But they left a real gem behind:  Smalltalk itself.  In terms of simplicity and expressiveness, Smalltalk is still second to none.

As the industry studies the factors of success of the current market leaders and gravitates toward the principle of simplicity, companies that recognize and can execute on these principles will be more successful than those that do not.

Cincom Smalltalk and the Cincom Smalltalk team are ready to help these companies rise to the top!

Arden Thomas

Cincom Smalltalk Product Manager