Frank's Sketchbook Entry of the Day

I dug up some old notepads this weekend, and among my notes were various sketches. This one is from circa late 2000 (November-ish). It involved a meeting in which we were trying to figure out what the ideal user interface would be. It was suggested that we should equate users with the abilities present in a box of rocks (or a stump of wood). Someone mentioned that the traffic light is a good user interface model: very simple, only 3 indicators, red, yellow, and green. Someone suggested that an improved one would have only 2 lights (or possibly one). And thus was inspired the drawing. Note that I am not necessarily that cynical about users. Oh, and the stump's quote is from an old episode of The Simpsons.

Hibbert: Homer, I'm afraid you'll have to undergo a coronary bypass operation.
Homer: Say it in English, Doc.
Hibbert: You're going to need open heart surgery.
Homer: Spare me your medical mumbo-jumbo.
Hibbert: We're going to cut you open and tinker with your ticker.
Homer: Could you dumb it down a shade?
     -- "Homer's Triple Bypass"