Simple things are almost always better than complicated ones. Especially if their purpose should be simple.
But the human brains work in a very wrong way as far as simplicity is concerned (and some other things as well). Let me explain.
It is very interesting but not at all practical that we always think of the most complicated solutions first. Only after a sufficient amount of thinking time has been sacrificed to Engineering and Programming Gods, the final, simple solution can be thought out.
Like our Box Of Shame, it is hard to believe no one has thought of such a simple thing in the first place.
Knock, and it shalt be openeth unto you! Oh the cruel Gods!