Thursday, January 11, 2007

In Defense of Simplicity AND Complexity

Simplicity and complexity seem to have become hot topics for some of my favourite technical bloggers of late. These fine people have taken the view that things should be either simple or complex. Right, seems logical, these are opposites. However, I would like to suggest that in a well designed appliance which addresses a complex process, it should have both a simple AND a complex interface.

A couple of years ago, I bought a LG "Fuzzy Logic" washing machine. It has lots of buttons and settings on the front and one big button that says something like "Start". 97% of the time, I throw in my washing, some detergent and press the big start button, and the washing machine works out all the settings, displays them and then starts. In the 3% of the time when I want to do something different (eg, just a rinse), I use the more complex part of the interface to change the 'cycle' settings.

Recently, I bought an IXUS 65. It's a lovely digital camera, and it provides both a complex and a simple interface. As soon as I put in the battery, I was able to take pretty nice pictures by just clicking the big button on the top. No problem, I was very happy. Over the next few days, I glanced through the manual and fiddled with more complex settings for ISO, colour etc. However, in 95% of shots, I simply want to click the one big button that takes a nice auto-everything picture. It's only occasionally that I want to change the settings to achieve a particular effect or to override a mistake in the auto settings.

To conclude, I think that my talented fellow bloggers are all right. People like complex interfaces and simple interfaces, just at different times, for different tasks. The best gadgets and appliances offer both.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi I have a simplicity appartment front loading washer and dyr the handle on my washer broke and I like too replace it but dont know where too order it from. I would like a phone number too see how much is will cost too replace just the handle and would like too know how much for the hole door????

Anonymous said...

its a simplicity name right on front

Anonymous said...

can you email me a number I can talk too some one in person about this

Jewelry Gift Shopping Online Store said...

Really it is nice post and thanks for sharing it and really it is very useful. Feel free to check out my site Jewelry Store when you got time.

Wholesale Fashion Jewelry Accessory said...

I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business I would love some feedback on my site Wholesale Jewelry when you got time.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing
Dissertations||Essays||Theses

Anonymous said...

I would like a phone number too see how much is will cost too replace just the handle and would like too know how much for the hole door????
Term Papers||Research Papers

bigtoe88 said...

That link you provided was very helpful to my current project. Not only did I gain new information, I also had a great time browsing through the article that was posted there. I really appreciate the fact that people like you give extra time to improve their writing and provide something that's really worth the reader's time. Thank you so much.
kids playhouse

dui laws said...

It is very rare these days to find blogs that provide information someone is looking for. I am glad to see that your blog share valued information that can help to many readers. Thanks and keep writing.

Mesothelioma Lawyer said...

I have been in several blogs an hour ago but nothing really catches my attention until I came trough your posts and read some articles. I have fun and really do love your blog, I enjoy thank you.

payday loans said...

It is great to have the opportunity to read a good quality article with useful information on topics that plenty are interested on. I concur with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates. Thanks a lot and keep on posting more valuable information.

Music Citizens said...

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!

provo employment said...

I disagree with your opinionin this blog it is too far out there.

Ogden Jobs said...

I was very pleased to find this site.It is very interesting This is the first time i am read it which gives me alot of information Thank you very much. I will come back

ogden employment said...

I don't agree with what you have written and I do believe more research should have been done but it was written well.

Tucson Jobs said...

I was very pleased to find this site.It is very interesting This is the first time i am read it which gives me alot of information Thank you very much. I will come back

tucson employment said...

Nice blog it rocks the way that you write makes me think differently.

Albuquerque Jobs said...

I agree with a few of the points here but the others I do not agree with as much.

732-993-4272 said...

If you want to see the mind blowing article with real facts and figures, this has really tremendous impacts on readers and I admire the writing skill of the author.

Anonymous said...

It’s fantastic how interesting it is for me to visit you very often.



Interface Network Sono

Anonymous said...

A rare blog like this should be bookmark because of its usage in the future. It can be as a reference someday for my job because it actually relates what I am looking for in a topic. I thank the blogger for posting and sharing this article. I learned a lot from this because of its admiring article to read.

Telescoping Ladder

Anonymous said...

The particular post is actually designed in quite an excellent manner and it consists of a lot valuable info for me personally. You have a breathtaking way of writing. Many thanks for expressing.

sell home quick in uk

Anonymous said...

A rare website similar to this must be book mark due to its usage in the future. It can be like a guide sooner or later with regard to my work as it actually applies what I am trying to find in the matter. My partner and i give thanks to your writer regarding putting up and revealing this information. My spouse and i learned a lot using this due to the appreciating post to read.

best washer and dryer

Anonymous said...

We have went through post and discovered fascinating details solved the problem in getting the very best answer that i'm looking for.

Storage Bench

Anonymous said...

In general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Very much thanks again and good luck and keep up the great work!

Custom Building Contractors

Anonymous said...

Great submit. I recently discovered your website and also wanted to point out that We have really enjoyed reading through your blog content. Any way I'll be subscribing to the nourish and that i we imagine you post yet again quickly. Big was looking for useful info. extension ladder

Anonymous said...

Thanks, its a great data associated with revealing and also producing men and women know of the pursuits which are becoming performed.I believe I can find much more beneficial data right here, thanks. Best 46 inch LCD TV

Anonymous said...

In general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Very much thanks again and good luck and keep up the great work!

bathroom remodel Puyallup

medela breast pump said...

I came across this kind of as a possible informational information along with intriguing, i really think that is incredibly valuable and well-informed for me. I must thanks for the actual efforts they've designed to write this particular very good write-up. If at all possible, when you obtain knowledge, would you thoughts upgrading your website with additional information? It is rather of great help for myself.

best car battery said...

That is an awfully astounding column that have posted. Thanks a lot for that fantastically amazing post!

New Jersey center for pain management said...

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

custom home builders in Boise said...

Many people like to read good articles 'cause these ones can attract more people to read and help them. This article is really a good article for any people to read. No matter men women or children, younger of older. This article is very meaningful from every aspect that is why I love your site. Thank you for giving us so good article. We will your blog support always.

arborist portland said...

I genuinely liked reading through your post! You have quality material. I might advise you to come up with blog posts even more often. By doing this, having this kind of a worthy website I think you will probably rank higher in the search engines.

mercedes benz lease deals nj said...

That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.

compare health insurance AL said...

If you want to see the mind blowing article with real facts and figures, this has really tremendous impacts on readers and I admire the writing skill of the author.

Steve Waters Vancouver said...

The post is written in very a good manner and it contains much useful information for me. You have a very impressive writing style. Thanks for sharing.

dust mite proof covers said...

Whenever possible, when you obtain data, you should in addition blog site using new info. I've found that incredibly valuable.

Steve Waters Vancouver said...

What a fabulous post this has been. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much.

identity theft restoration said...

I wanted to thank you for this great read article! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it.

dentist in brooklyn said...

You acquired an unquestionably handy weblog I have actually happened to be here checking out for concerning a while already. I am a newbie as well as your success is highly an inspiration for me. Maintain the very good post!

mmohome.com said...

Thanks for sharing




Cheap Runescape Gold

Cheapest WOW Gold

Dumpster rental said...

This opinion will help me finish the paper I was working on, thank you.
dumpster rental