--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We think computing ought to be like a…" description: "\"We think computing ought to be like a telephone or a water tap or a light switch.\" — Scott McNealy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69c/scott-mcnealy-20917_computers_we-think-computing-ought-to-be-like-a-te_2482728.png" --- # We think computing ought to be like a telephone or a water… ![“We think computing ought to be like a telephone or a water tap or a light switch.” quote by Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69c/scott-mcnealy-20917_computers_we-think-computing-ought-to-be-like-a-te_2482728.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69c/scott-mcnealy-20917_computers_we-think-computing-ought-to-be-like-a-te_2482728.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69c/scott-mcnealy-20917_computers_we-think-computing-ought-to-be-like-a-te_2482728.png) > “We think computing ought to be like a telephone or a water tap or a light switch.” [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology should be as accessible and effortless as everyday utilities. **In simple terms:** Tech must be simple and ubiquitous. Key Takeaway Design intuitive, user‑friendly tech. Themes technology accessibility design Mood pragmatic forward‑thinking Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - home appliances - public utilities - software interfaces Key Concepts human‑centered design infrastructure Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance simplicity with flexibility? - What utilities should be made more accessible? A Different Perspective Simplicity may limit advanced features for power users. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Computing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computing/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [If you think about computing, there isn't just one way to compute, just like there's not just one way to move around. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dell/if-you-think-about-computing-there-isn-t-just-one-way-to-compute-just/) [Michael Dell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dell/) > [I think computing power is ready to do 3D justice. 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It's a fairly natural partnership; it shouldn't surprise people, ... We're working on bringing this network-is-the-computer, Net services environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/this-is-a-big-deal-it-s-a-fairly-natural-partnership-it-shouldn-t/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [Do I have a problem with Larry Ellison buying Sun? No, that's part of the capitalist system. As soon as we go public we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/do-i-have-a-problem-with-larry-ellison-buying-sun-no-that-s-part-of/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [Who cares who's captain after the wings have fallen off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/who-cares-who-s-captain-after-the-wings-have-fallen-off/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [When computers (people) are networked, their power multiplies geometrically. Not only can people share all that information inside their machines, but they can reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/when-computers-people-are-networked-their-power-multiplies/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [Technology has the shelf life of a banana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/technology-has-the-shelf-life-of-a-banana/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [ Putting Windows \[3.11\] on top of DOS is like putting whipped cream on a road apple \[horse poop\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcnealy/putting-windows-3-11-on-top-of-dos-is-like-putting-whipped-cream-on-a/) [Scott McNealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcnealy/) > [The best decision is the right decision. The next best decision is the wrong decision. 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They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/) [Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/) > [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. 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