Software as a quiet companion

1 min read

The best tools become invisible. They don't announce themselves; they simply make your work easier.

The companion metaphor

Think of your favorite pen, your well-worn notebook. They don't demand attention — they simply wait until you need them.

Good software should be the same:

  1. Present when needed
  2. Silent when not
  3. Reliable always

What this means in practice

Instead of push notifications, consider pull-based updates. Instead of gamification, consider genuine utility.

The goal isn't to make users addicted to your product. It's to make their lives slightly better.