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Comment by ksec | Hacker News Reader

My definition of simple in "Make it Simple and Simpler" changes as I age and experience more end users problems.

I also think we still have a very long way to go in both hardware and software.

> "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."

~ Douglas Adams

I don't think we're making progress at all. My theory is that software is made simple enough for a typical 20's-ish person who's already familiar with that kind of thing. But less capable people are still left out just as they were in the 80's, 90's, 00's, etc.

In the 90's, it was hard to figure out how to connect a VCR to a TV. Today, it's hard to figure out how to connect a Chromecast to a phone. The mental difficulty is not less at all.

The largest unknown is what even IS simple?

Here's a story from more than 25 years ago. A user couldn't print a document and calls local support. After they try several things remotely to no avail, the support person comes to the user's desk. Turns out there was a popup window asking the user to put paper in the printer and press ok to retry. How they missed this obvious thing (it was even a MODAL window) is a mystery.

My guess is that people run on autopilot most of the time. They rely on feedback to orient themselves down the decision tree. But a computer only have a screen (and maybe a speaker) which is already very busy. That’s why people like their phone and the ipad. Because everything else require lots of training to understand and use properly.

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