> what is the best way to approach the bikeshedding issue? Required background reading for anyone who hasn't seen it: bikeshed.com Regarding (a): Give people

> what is the best way to approach the bikeshedding issue? Required background reading for anyone who hasn't seen it: bikeshed.com Regarding (a): Give people lots of choices, and they'll learn to pick the right ones. There is a reason the two main smartphone platforms have completely won out over the older stuff. It's just really sad there there aren't more to choose from, since iOS and Android both have major areas of suckage. Regarding (b): Public servants should not be making crucial decisions about technology. The government could never build the massively complex system described by OP, and regulation would have killed it quickly (probably by cementing an AT&T/IBM duopoly in technology).