I think the moral of the story is that talking to your users is one of the most important things you can do during -- or even before -- development. User testin

I think the moral of the story is that talking to your users is one of the most important things you can do during -- or even before -- development. User testing is cheap, easy and shouldn't cost you that much time -- 50 people is way more than necessary if your test is designed well. The experience is pretty magical. For lean startup user/usability testing tips, check out Steve Krug's Don't Make Me Think. There's a chapter called "Usability Testing on a Shoestring Budget".