Super Simple vs. Needlessly Complex
By leelefever on September 5, 2007 - 8:05pm.
Super Simple:
This is called the Q-drum and it's built for transporting 20 gallons of water - something that millions do everyday. Super simple indeed.
You can read more in the New York Times article Design that Solves Problems for the Worlds Poor. I first heard about the Q-drum from Darren Barefoot.
Needlessly Complex:
This is a Japanese toilet that has 17 buttons. The one I use at home only has a single lever and it's never left me wanting more. Needlessly complex? I say yes.
Maybe you've seen similar items? I'd love to hear about any products that are stark examples of simplicity or complexity.
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Toto's Washlet!
Check it out...
http://www.washlet.com/
what a brilliant website! heh heh!
good vs bad?
I am never sure about these simple vs complex comparisons. Are you implying that simple = good and complex = bad?
What you describe in your post is more like three dimensions that might be simple or complex. For example, your toilet is a simple concept with a simple feature set and a simple interface, and the Toto is complex concept with a complex feature set and a complex interface.
But, I don't know if it makes much sense to compare the simplicity / complexity of the two toilets because they don't do the same thing, and aren't designed for the same kind of person, per se.
simple vs. comples
Interesting conept to use one of the most complicated technologies in existance, the personal computer, (just spent a weekend trying to help my brother in law understand his mac). Over arguably one of the most technological communication mediums, (the interent) to laud the 'coolness' factor of simple technology.
I hope there is no down hill in that country, that 160 lbs. of water is going to drag the kid down the hill, or kill someone at the bottom trying to climb up.
I love the purple 'eruption' button on the japanese toilet, I want my toilet to lift me right off the seat.
Don
I believe that the
I believe that the appearance of a written language is one of the simplest and also one of the complex thing that mankind has ever created
Speaking of Pointlessly Complex....
I have been ranting at Microsoft for making SQL Server 2005 pointlessly complex and one of the folks there was kind enough to bring this page to my attention.
You could NOT have made my point more clearly if you had tried. Now I know they are listening AND I am not ALONE!
:)
Thanks
Don
Techie and Elegant Solutions
Both techie and elegant:
Retrofiting smoke-belching two-stroke taxis in Asia for better power, mileage and much less smoke, paying for the kit by the fuel saved. http://www.envirofit.org
Elegant Solutions: manifestos as a PR piece http://www.changethis.com
Elegant Solutions: manifesto about the book http://www.changethis.com/search?action=search&query=elegant+solutions
Not so elegant: the long link above. Sorry.
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