Making Technology Simpler

Technology is everywhere, a necessary part of our already too-complicated lives.  Every day a new device enters our life, promising to make us more productive.  But these new devices are more like needy infants, demanding that we set them up properly and pay them proper attention.  The more sophisticated devices require periodic rebooting.  Few of these devices talk to one another, so we have to learn to translate. We have become bewildered shephards tending to a restless battery-powered flock.

Let's consider the origins of the problem.

It all starts when we enter one of those brightly lit stores, filled with colorful techno-wizardry. Thousands of gadgets and thousands of software programs line the shelves. Each type of gadget or software has several brands. Each brand of software has several versions. And, of course, all of the gadgets are powered by software. When you buy a new gadget you can be fairly certain that it will not have the latest software, so when you take it home the first thing you have to do is connect to the Internet to download it. Then you have to figure out how to install the software. If you need help you can’t telephone the manufacturer; you have visit their website. Good luck finding the right webpage.

A simpler way is needed, one in which we can accomplish great things with less technology. We need a set of principles that will help us better control the technology tools that we encounter in our lives. Here is a set of principles to consider:

1. Tools that are easiest to use are best
2. Tools that work reliably are best
3. Tools that do several things at once are best    

Simple principles like these bring to mind the ancient art of Feng Shui, which seeks to introduce harmony into an environment by proper placement of objects in that space. A simple, well-arranged work space enhances the productivity of those who labor there. Likewise, proper management of technology can enhance productivity and lower our stress, while haphazard use of technology quickly brings about mayhem and anxiety. How can we have order in our lives when there is so much technology strewn about, incessantly demanding our feeble attention?

We need principles, but we need more than mere principles. We need specific advice on how to create order out of chaos. We need the equivalent of a Feng Shui guide who will help us arrange and manage the technology in our lives. In that spirit this site was created.

Simplifying anything is not an easy task, and this is especially true of technology. We can’t promise that the effort will be easy, only that it will be worthwhile.