This trip back was done with everything I own able to fit into my truck with the top carrier.  It was not really that tight of a fit.  That’s mostly because I don’t have very much stuff.  I love that (for me).  I know that most people (in America) chose not to be that simple.  However, for me, it has become a mantra of the past few years.

I think this mantra carries over into the tech world.  Simplicity rules.

As a technologist and consumer of various technology, I have watched a lot of gadgets and programs and computer systems.  I’ve watched as people design and build things.  I’ve watched as end users gobble up or reject things.  The one solid constant is that simplicity rules.  That doesn’t mean that there should not be advanced options.  It does mean that defaults should be secure and simple, not just fastest to completion and fastest to sell a product.

Part of our information overload is due to too many products that are not designed well and ‘simply’ put, have too much crap.  For me, I decide to simplify and not consume as much.  I decide to make a personal choice to have less.  That is not for everyone.  But, it is one idea to help the glut of unorganized chaos not have such a negative force in my life.

Now, my motives and thoughts are not always to be the most profitable.  I’ll give you that.  My motives are not always to get the biggest numbers of users.  I’ll give you that.  My motives are more often to make the best, to solve a problem or to fill a niche.  Designing systems and processes that have a smaller scope is a different complexity that designing for the masses.  (That’s something that I hope to learn a lot more about in the near future and in the coming years!)  For now, I’m commenting on some feelings and some observances, not on everything and not totally comprehensively.

When we put in a CD or DVD and want it to play, we push play.  When we leave the house and want to secure it, we lock the door.  When we want to go online to view something, we want it to just work and the Internet to just be there.  Yes, I do understand the work it takes to make technology be simple.  But, I think there are things that we’re doing wrong – like making devices and systems and processes with too many options.

This post speaks more to the point of what I’m trying to say here.  Computers shouldn’t make people feel like idiots

Here are a few quotes that I think we should take to heart and should make it into the new systems we build.

“People don’t know how to use computers. And not just stupid people. Millions of people. People who are adults. And that’s pretty damn lame.”

“For those of us surrounded by the minutiae of computers all day, it’s easy to forget there’s a world of people out there who just don’t get it. And it’s not their fault. It’s ours.”

“(Note: It’s not just about making a computer or an app more accessible for people who don’t get it. It’s also for people who do get it because this way is better.)”

“You can crank up the snow machine. You can set up the slalom course perfectly. You can shape all the moguls so they’re just right. But if people can’t ever get on the ski lift, there ain’t gonna be any race.”

In short, we need to cut features.  We need to eliminate designing for false target users when our audience is not “everyone” and we need ot make things that work for a real group of target users.

We need to shape the market and redefine the market and help the market by making simple things that just work.  We need to educate the market and facilitate growth by making things that people will use… We cannot just feed the market and expect that it will figure it out.  Many times it will not.  And, many times it will find another way – if we don’t adjust and make things to be simple.

When the consumer says, “I don’t get it.” that is our fault as designers.  It is not the consumer’s fault. We need to take responsibility as technologists and designers and developers and IT pros and builders of any kind.

Take note: Simplicity rules.

P.S.  It’s been a little bit since I’ve posted here.  There have been very few times like this, lasting longer than a month, even going all the way back to 2003 or 2004, when I started blogging.  And, when it has happened, it’s been due to a good reason, like I have a bad attitude or I’m burned out or I’m moving across the country or, or, or… The point is, that it’s a new year and a new season and, well, here I go again…  (Actually, I do have several other blogs where I did post.  So, it’s not like I have not been blogging.  It’s just on this particular blog that it’s been a little while.  Anyway…)

I’m listening. Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

There are little rabbits.  There are squirrels, squirrels that sneak up on trees and then pounce on the unsuspecting trunk.  There are gray, lumpy piles of leaves and twigs.  There are small gardens in several directions.  There are TV antennas.  There are broken TV antennas.  There are wires bringing electricity and communications.  There are fair weather clouds and there are intermingled blue spaces.  There are kids and older people, walking together and individually.  There are shadows and sunny areas.  And, there is a nice, calm breeze.  Yeah, a nice, calm, pleasant, leaf rustling breeze.  That breeze says quite simply, “Hope you are enjoying summer!”

The summer weather.  The warm summer nights.  The history here, my history.  The lakes.  The water.  The lakes.  (Yes, I said “The lakes.” twice – - which is only two of well more than 10,000 like it says in the Minnesota state license plate.)  It’s good to be back in Minnesota.

http://waitingforfreefood.com/2008/06/08/side-bar/

I think it’s because I’ve been so geared up to GO, GO, GO for so long.  When it/life slows down a little bit, I feel a little awkward.  I’m a doer.  I like to get things done.  I don’t like excuses.  For that matter, I don’t even like reasons when I can rattle off dozens of contrary reasons.

I think there’s some other personal stuff going on.  I probably should hold off writing until there’s some calmer thinking. … It’s family crap, in case you’re wondering.  CRAP! I say, CRAP!

I’m definitely listening.  I’m hearing all sorts of stuff around me.  It’s not a matter of abilities.  It’s a mater of decisions and choices and options and figuring out what I want to do, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it.

Rambling!  I’m rambling.  That’s ok.  This is my blog and I feel like rambling right now.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”  ~Jim Valvano