Most features are for experts

The HorsePigCow blog points to a quote from Khoi Vinh that I really like:

“Most features are for experts, but most users are intermediates”

I was reminded of this very thing as I researched Digital SLR cameras. Even the cheapest point and shoot cameras had features that would enable anyone to take excellent pictures. Made me wonder how many people spend $1500 on a DSLR and lens just to put the camera in automatic mode?

Is the product you or your company are creating for the experts or for the rest of us? As long as the answer was factored into creating the product, you should be fine. It’s the company that doesn’t know the answer that will produce an unsuccessful product or service.