Of course, then the programming has to be simplified, or else things are made worse, not better. Simplicity is a bit like marital fidelity, in that while everyone is in favor of it in principle, practice varies. Microsoft, for instance, says Mr. Roberts, is on the simplicity train. But another so-called improvement that Mr. Roberts mentioned seems to go directly against Dr. Dertouzos' ideas. And Dr. Saffo said that in truth the problems were never solved.
Technologies change so fast that they become obsolete before they mature.
Computers are not likely to get simpler. Something unforeseen is likely to replace them. For the moment, Dr. Saffo said, he is pleased to see Dr. Dertouzos criticizing his intellectual offspring, while he paints a rosy picture of the future. Dr. Saffo said. He's playing exactly the role he should play.