Since personal computing began there has been a push to make things easier and more accessible. If you sit down at an old Apple II compared to the Macs of today you will be amazed at how far things have come. Developers have been working hard to make computing less technical and more approachable, but has making things easier actually made them more difficult?
For this I would have to say yes. In order to make things easier, programmers need to put more code and additional software between you and what you want to do on the computer. Installing a new printer now means downloading the manufacturer's app and struggling through that before you can get to installing and actually using the printer. On paper to an executive approving this garbage, it looks like a sensible plan, but this man-in-the-middle approach ends up adding additional complexity. For those engineers out there it is widely known that complexity introduces problems of reliability. Look at those Jaguar engines of the early 80s with all their moving parts. They were the most complex engines ever built, and wrought with problems. The same can be said about today's computers.
We have asked our computers, phones, tablets, and all this other tech to do more and more things. Developers then pile on the functionality with little apps and features that you use to access them. And there is no way they can test every single iteration of what they are creating. It leaves us with a jumbled mess of looping login screens, one-time use apps that clutter our phones, and agreeing to terms and conditions just when we want to order something at a restaurant.
And things are not going to get better anytime soon. Doing more than the other guy is the theme of the week and therefore we need to adjust our expectations so we don't get frustrated. Here are three tips for you:
1.) Begin With the End in Mind: Before anything, figure out what you are going to do. Determine your goal and set your path toward that goal. Do you need to send a picture? If the path seems too complicated, try to simplify the solution. You don't need a new app or login or any of that. It may mean using webmail or waiting until you get home to get on your computer.
2.) Seek Simplicity: None of this needs to be complicated. If it seems difficult then there is a better way. Apple cut its teeth on making things simple so "Think Different" and don't settle for a convoluted way to your goal.
3.) Just Say No: You don't need a new app. You don't need a new login. You don't need to give them your cell phone number. You don't need to commit yourself to another password. Go to Rules 1 and 2 and reset.
...and remember, you can always ask for a paper menu. | 
