My presentation last week about software simplicity reminded me of how far we are from simplifying our world through technology. I’m constantly turned off by technology because it serves to complicate rather than simplify our lives.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve wanted to assault the gadgets I use because they’re such a hassle to manage – and I’m a techie, so I’m supposed to know how to deal with them all. God help the rest of the population!
For example:
- My computer is way too complicated and unreliable
- My home entertainment center is almost as hard to manage and configure as a PC (I’m the only one in my family who knows how to use it)
- My cell phone is a usability nightmare (that’s why I was excited by the iPhone)
- My digital camera has far too many options that I’ll never use
- Even my lowly digital watch stumps me with its assortment of buttons
And on, and on, and on. The more technology we add to our lives, the more complicated our lives become. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t those of us in the tech world be working harder (a lot harder) to make our stuff simpler to use?