Why modern technology frustrates users and how developers can fix it

Fixing Tech: Make It Just Work examines why smart devices still fail their users despite decades of advancement. David S. Platt, a Microsoft Software Legend who teaches computer science at Harvard University Extension School, dissects the persistent disconnect between what technologists build and what users actually experience. Research shows 88% of online consumers avoid returning after a bad experience, and 90% abandon apps due to poor performance.

Platt identifies specific user interface pain points across modern technology, from voice assistants to AI-driven products, and offers concrete guidance on how software companies can understand the perspective of their users. The book provides a framework for evaluating what better technology could look like and how development teams can prioritize usability over feature accumulation in their design processes.

Readers will also find:

• Strategies for software companies to adopt a user-first perspective rather than prioritizing the latest technical features
• Real-world examples of technology failures drawn from consumer experiences with voice assistants, smart devices, and web interfaces
• Practical approaches for engineering managers to evaluate and improve user experience across their product development lifecycle
• A sharp, witty critique that reframes how developers and technical leaders think about the people using their products

Written for software developers, engineering managers, and tech industry leaders working in startups, mid-sized companies, and enterprise environments, Fixing Tech delivers a direct look at the user experience problems that persist across modern software, along with actionable guidance for building technology that serves its users.

DAVID S. PLATT is the founder of Rolling Thunder Computing, an education and consulting practice. A Microsoft-designated Software Legend, he has more than twenty years of programming experience, teaches software development at Harvard University Extension School, and is a frequent conference speaker. He is the author of twelve previous books, including the bestselling Why Software Sucks.