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    I can't tell if this answer is for the question's premise or against it. :P
    – adamjford
    Commented Jul 21, 2011 at 16:48
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    People only tend to want "personalization and customization" when the choice itself is simplistic and superficial, e.g. changing a wallpaper or ring tone. Choices that require more intellectual effort - especially when multiple choices need to be combined for a single result - are more likely to lead to fear, frustration, and stress. That's why people stick with the same brand and the same employer, why they hire interior decorators and money managers instead of doing those things themselves. I realize that you said "not to the point of confusing", but that point is reached very early.
    – Aarobot
    Commented Jul 21, 2011 at 17:22
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    @adamjford, I agree with him that SO is becoming a nanny state, and that it's the wrong direction. The correct direction is flexibility.
    – Lance Roberts
    Commented Jul 21, 2011 at 19:31
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    @Aarobot: Your comment is particularly insightful. For many years I worked for a small company that developed a general-purpose office application. Every sale was important. Rather than tell the customer they couldn't have their pet feature, often we would just add another checkbox to the options dialog. That approach became precipitous over time; every checkbox we added to our Wall of Options™ increased the complexity of the software and added to our support and documentation burden.
    – user102937
    Commented Jul 21, 2011 at 19:40
  • @Aarobot, Determining where that point is, is pretty tough. That's why the Meta discussion is a good place to hash out this kindof stuff.
    – Lance Roberts
    Commented Jul 21, 2011 at 19:41