I have been getting feedback to add more context around my "very-abstract" lessons I learned post; so here is my second attempt to add more context and meaning around them:

1. Information is more interesting and powerful when it comes from genuine and disintegrated sources rather than media powerhouses : Yes, I'm talking about blogging. We have seen instances of this concept a couple of times in the year 2004 both about Iraq War and the Tsunami Relief.

2. Adding a little bit of JavaScript improves web UI experience dramatically : Gmail has this excellent client-side script that makes it a pleasure to use the web UI. Same goes for Google-Suggest as well.

3. Simplicity (of a feature in a product) is always a winner - especially over richness (of a feature in a product) : Again, Google is a the best example to learn from this. Their features are simple but yet very compelling and successful.

4. Building user-friendly APIs that do not allow silly-human errors is really hard : Consider this for example; say for example you want to build an API to open a file by name. how do you do it? Something like this?

File f  = File.Open(string fileName);

or something like this:

FileSpecifications fileSpecs = File.GetAllFiles();

FileSpecification fileSpec = fileSpecs[0];

File f = File.Open(FileSpecification fileSpec);

Which one is more usable? which one is more error prone?

5. Innovation can come in a plain-white-plastic box and still be very successful : One word - IPod

6. Talking about algorithms can be sexy - at least anything related to 'search' : Well, no explanation is necessary for this one!

7. Just be thankful for everyday and enjoy it to the fullest extent; you just never know what's going to happen tomorrow : The devastation caused by the recent Tsunami reminds us how tiny we are compared to the grand scheme of things - just a thought.

So, again, do argee with me on these? Or do you feel I missed any other obvious lessons from the year 2004?