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WebWord Weblog Posting Posting Date: September 12, 2002 Comforts of Home Yield to Tyranny of Digital Gizmos (New York Times) -- "Of all the forces that permeate daily life, perhaps nothing has become more of a tyranny than the bits and pieces of technology that are meant to help one get through the day more easily, but instead are a source of frustration. Relatively simple devices that were once controlled by twisting a knob or pushing a button are now endowed with digital commands that can take hours to master." (MadMan comments: I know people who buy products based on more features, even if they never use most of them. What has your experience been? Are things really becoming too complex for our own good, and if so, what is the solution?)
Reader Comments...
I tend to simplify myself, so if I see an update to a product that I use I (try to) carefully consider if enhancements will actually make my life easier, or just more high-tech. It comes out about 60/40 with slightly more items just more high-tech rather than useful. It helps that I kind of like retro things. Most people I know also upgrade mindlessly. Posted by: Lydia on September 12, 2002 04:11 PM
As I get older (and stupider) I have developed a real fear of complicated looking products. I have become a bit of a luddite and will only adopt a product if it is simpler to use, or allows me to do something that makes my life easier. Three years ago I bought a new calculator. I don't use the one on my PC or PDA. I bought a TEXET for £5.99, which is nice and big at 5 inches by 8 inches, it has lovely big buttons and no 'scientific' functions. It is solar powered and I have been using it very happily ever since. Another benefit is that I can't lose it on my messy desk. Posted by: Mac on September 13, 2002 03:16 AM
Joel's recent post on Joel on Software discusses a similar problem, customers wanting features that will reduce the usability/quality of the product: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/ Sherlock Posted by: sherlock_yoda on September 13, 2002 04:34 AM
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