• Learning how a computer works is easier when using simple software, because it functions are simpler and therefore easier to understand.

• Understanding the system better gives you more control over your computing. Instead of relying on what programmes has set as default you can individualize your system more than with complex software.

• Complexity is the worst enemy of security” security expert Bruce Schneier once said. Therefore it is important to reduce complexity. Simple software offers less attack vectors than complex programs. So, using simple software makes you less vulnerable.

• Using simple software needs not as much resources as complex software. Therefore you can use a computer for a longer time period. Using a simple operating system with simple programs is no problem on a 10 year old (or even older) computer. That means, simple software is a direct contribution in the fight against climate change - and is good for your wallet

The tools listed here should be

• free software (open source software)
• Privacy respecting
• simple in design (i.e. not complex), see also How we measure
• lightweight (i.e. no bloatware), see also How we measure
• easy to learn and simple to use
• non-elitist
• still maintained