Here's a nice diversion from politics

This is an excellent essay on form, function, technology, and gadgets that are smarter than we are.

I agree completely.  My beef is cell phones.  I don't need to be able to IM, e-mail, web surf, photograph, download music, add ringtones, play games, or anything else from a phone.  You know what I want a phone to do?  Make calls.  A simple answering machine is nice.  Caller ID is a God send.  Maybe a short speed dial list, as long as it is easy to use.  And that's it.

The more "features" a product has, odds are the less practical or functional it really is.  This is especially true for products for kids.  As the Christmas shopping season draws to its end, consider this:

The harder it is for a 5 year old to figure out how it works, the more likely it is the 5 year old will have more fun playing with the empty cardboard box!

Comments

[Gullyborg]

I should have also included this link:

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=120606A