"The problem is, choice can be a terrible thing."

[Pointedstick]

I read the Paradox of Choice book, and while I didn't agree with his suggestions for choice-reducing public policy, I did appreciate his ideas for paring down overwhelming options for personal choices. One idea is pick a preferred vendor and limit yourself to their product line. For example I've been satisfied with Dell, and their prices are competitive, so any time I need to buy a computer I just pick whichever Dell is closest to what I want. Instead of hundreds of viable options I have 1-3.

Or, establish some kind of ground rules for yourself. E.g. my wife and I decided we like Arts&Crafts-style furniture. So instead of having hundreds of options for a couch, there are the 5 couches at the one Arts&Crafts furniture store near us. Or only wear black, or eat vegetarian, or whatever.

I realized a week or so ago that I'm dangerously close to accidentally doing this by making Amazon my go-to online retailer. Bunch of clever, clever humans they are.

[MachineGhost]

I realized a week or so ago that I'm dangerously close to accidentally doing this by making Amazon my go-to online retailer. Bunch of clever, clever humans they are.

I recommend installing InvisibleHand to make sure you've got the best price when shopping online: http://www.getinvisiblehand.com/

[clacy]

+1, LW

As to software, which I have been selling for quite a little while: my customers appreciate the simple interface, with defaults. If they want to change them, they can, assuming they read the help file. I think software these days is much better, much more bug free, and much easier to use. Hey, but it's only how I make my living...

I think the best software presents a simple interface that you can use to get the job done but with the option of more powerful features if you want to dig deeper. What you usually get nowadays, with Microsoft and IBM in the lead, is a world of complexity from the start. Sometimes it seems like you have to do the equivalent of a college course just to figure out how to do the simplest things. (Admission: Could be I'm just getting old).

I also disagree about software being more bug free. My Blackberry locks up at least once a week and I have to reset it. Same with my DVR and other electronic devices where programming is involved. Was sitting in a meeting today where the host was trying to do something with Internet Explorer and it kept crashing until he had to finally give up. I see this all the time. I don't necessarily blame the developers because they are given a world of complexity to work with and unrealistic deadlines that don't leave room for doing quality work.

I completely agree.  Maybe it's my simple mind, but just about every time I use xyz software, I find myself thinking "there's got to be an easier way".  Of course, I'm not bright enough to be the guy who figures out the "better way" so I just muscle through it.