December 20, 2025
I have prepared this list of guidelines for the usage and design of computer systems. These guidelines are derived from my observation of the negative affects of the usage of computer systems on myself, others, and society. These guidelines are an attempt to eliminate the negative effects of computer systems while utilizing them where they are effective. The first principles behind these guidelines are:
Technology should improve the quality of life of people.
Technology should support human ways of doing things and human ways of thinking.
Technology should be reliable, even in times of crisis and shortage.
Technology should not be used as a means of control.
These guidelines are of the highest nature and are presented in two parts; usage guidelines and design guidelines. I use the all encompassing term computer system to refer to all computing devices such as computers, smart phones, smart TVs, and networks of computing devices.
Usage
A computer system should be used with a specific purpose in mind. Once that purpose is fulfilled one should immediately stop using the computer system.
The role of computer systems in one’s life should be minimized.
The usage of computer systems should not be encouraged in one’s life except as a tool when no other effective means is available.
One’s interactions with those of a different locality should not take precedence over being part of one’s own local community.
Video calls are not analogous to meeting someone in-person.
The presence of computer systems in the home should be minimized.
Children should not use computer systems for any purpose.
All computer systems should be relegated to a specific part of the home. If one has children this place should be a place children cannot access. The computer systems themselves should be made inaccessible to children. If one does not have children this place should be the the least trafficked and least prominent part of the home. Computer systems should not leave the relegated area except to take them outside the home.
The usage of computer systems should not harm one’s health.
It must be assumed that information stored on computer systems is not confidential unless explicit measures are taken to make it so or to demonstrate it.
It must be assumed that all information obtained from the web is false unless corroborated or authenticated. This can be generalized to all information from any source.
One’s endeavours must be undertaken assuming that computer systems could become unavailable at any moment.
The usage of a computer system must not adversely affect one’s relationship with others.
Computer systems should not be used for one hour before bed.
Computer systems should not be used until one hour after waking.
Computer systems should not be used in bathrooms.
Design
Computer systems should be designed and built such that their function and operation is as simple to reason about as possible.
Computer systems should not be designed to capture or hold the attention of people.
A computer system should not distract a person from their surroundings.
Elements of a computer system with which people interact should follow simple self-evident conventions.
Elements of a computer system with which people interact should be interchangeable with other computer systems.
I have implemented the usage guidelines in my own life to notable improvement.
I imagine these guidelines will evolve over time.