I've been thinking a lot about what makes good technology survive over time. In doing so, I find that I focus on things like interfaces and the relationship that interfaces have to both the user and to functionality.
Whether it be a washing machine, music player, or even a phone, you should be able to place that technology between you and what it is that you want to do (like wash your clothes, listen to music, or make a call). The interface of anything is what you have to negotiate in order to accomplish your goals.
Good technology is seamlessly embedded into our lives so that we can operate through the technology as if it were transparent without guesswork.
Using this perspective, its pretty easy to spot the good, the bad, and the timeless technologies that we use every day.
Take an ordinary claw hammer:
1. The interface is dead simple
2. A hammer can only do a few things: it either drives nails or takes them out.
3. No manual required. You won't have to call tech support or hire a consultant to teach you how to use it.
4. Your only concern is keeping the nail straight without striking your thumb.
For something so basic and with limited functionality, it is pretty hard to not appreciate a hammer. I'd like to see more software like this.
