June 2, 2010
Simplicity: How Keeping Things Plain Makes Everything Easier
BY John Paul Narowski IN Productivity 0 Comment
It seems that more often than not the ability to be able to sit and think clearly also means that you have a space with which to work in that reflects this. Ever have a hard time getting things done at your desk? Often times, I find that if I am able to take the time to properly clean the clutter around me and organize my space it make things flow so much more smoothly.
Your “virtual” desktop could probably use the same type of simplicity as well. Just because it is digital doesn’t mean it cannot be a gigantic distraction, even though your PC is supposed to be the tool by which you are able to get everything done. This is becoming more apparent when you look at the way digital devices and operating systems are being designed these days.
Does Simple Technology Keep You More Organized?
Take for example one of the most popular digital devices on the market today, the Flip digital camcorder from Pure Digital. While the majority of digital camcorders have a list of features a mile long that most of us amateur videographers don’t even understand, the Flip has one whopping button. You push the button, it records video and then you plug it into your computer to upload the action. That’s simplicity.
The Flip is just one example, and you could take the tablet computer as another one. Instead of an array of buttons and applications, the tablet concept is based on the fact that you are able to do everything on the screen and in one window. Sure, many people have concerns that Apple’s iPad cannot yet handle multitasking, but are we as humans that good in a multitasking environment anyways? Let’s just keep it simple.
There was once a time when computer software was built by developers and not much thought was put into the user experience. Today, a lot of that is changing. One of the fastest growing fields in the information technology industry is in professionals who are capable of understand user interfaces, often called UI designers. They look at thing holistically: as in, what will best benefit the user when they interact with software?
I see time and time again where software applications don’t take this approach, but I have a distinct sense of hope that this will not continue with the way that the technology industry is innovating today. What about you? What are some of the best software programs/gadgets that allow both simplicity and productivity to help you get things done?
