Enlarge User Base

Technique to improve software usability:

Enlarge your user base.

Pros:

• More users to support each other via mailing lists, Wikis, user groups.
• Product evolves more quickly.

Cons:

• Older users compete for attention of lead developer.
• Idea may not scale to large populations.
• Might entrench bad features too early.
• Evangelism interferes with code cleanup, document production, etc.

See also: NetworkEffect, WorseIsBetter, ReplaceDocumentation, FireYourUsers?