hacking and gonzo since 2000

What we can learn from the Digg 4.0 disaster

The new release of Digg 4.0 seems to be a complete disaster. At least based on user riot.

Why?

Because they followed the single worst strategic mistake that any software company can make:
They decided to rewrite everything from scratch: Things You Should Never Do, Part I
Because users hate changes: Fresh vs. Familiar: How Aggressively to Redesign

What would have been a better plan?

Some products that have improved gradually over time:

Evolution of products

Code · Code improvement · Code rewrite · Design · Tips • 31. Aug 2010