Not that I often read tech mags — not anymore, at least — but I noticed one of the most refreshing comments I’ve seen in a tech mag in some time. Mike Ricciuti, executive editor at CNET wrote about Microsoft’s most recent delays in releasing their second service pack for Windows XP. Part of the problem that has existed for some time, he notes, is that users have been reluctant to download patches. If users would simply download patches like they’re supposed to do, there would not be so many viral problems spreading so quickly around the Windows world.

On the flip side:

But expecting consumers at large to keep up with the blizzard of confusing and sometimes contradictory software patches is ludicrous. Remember, computing is mainstream. Senior citizens shop on eBay. Teenagers chat on instant messaging. Do you think any of these people understand why they should apply an “Update for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1 (KB842773)”? You’d have better luck asking them to split an atom. There’s got to be a better way.

So it has been with the underlying problem of technology all along. Not all consumers are gadget freaks or tech nerds, and the real challenge of technology is to appeal to the confused masses. Seriously, why does technology have to be so … technical? Why does it have to be so complicated for me to attach a file to an email? Why should I have to keep track of a gazillion passwords just to operate my life or my work? What makes spammers and spyware vendors believe they’re going to make any money in the course of making my computer even more difficult to use? Why can’t they just leave me alone? Can’t we all just get along?