7 Sep
2007
7 Sep
'07
11:44 a.m.
--- Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote:
On 7 Sep 2007 at 12:22, Tim Shoppa wrote:
Agreed. In fact, I'm pretty sure that most people
(people here, especially) will agree that user
interfaces on devices of all kinds has gone downhill.
Clearly labeled and obvious buttons and controls are a
thing of the past. Everything now needs to be an
aesthetic design element. Cars, calculators, hi-fi
equipment, it's all turned to this mess. I wonder just
what happened. All-encompassing function knobs, menus
for Bass and Treble, confusing symbols, unlabeled
indicator lamps - it's a mess. Gone is the simplicity
of a switch labeled "HEADLIGHTS", replaced with a
confusing array of symbols on a knob. While they were
at it, designers decided that it would be a good idea
for power indicators to light up when something is
off, and go out when it's on. Or how about a stereo
with an animated "attract mode" when off?
I could go on and on, but I'm sure everyone gets the
point. There was a time when you could walk up to any
radio/hi-fi/television/car and instantly be able to
operate it. Not anymore. But - remember - all these
craptacular interfaces are cheaper to build, think of
that. Yay.
And... this is drifting off topic too...
-Ian
I think older calculators actually do a better
job
than many modern
calculators.
Same goes for a lot of things nowadays. Auto
radios--while a
passenger in a friend's new car, I asked how I would
tune to a
certain local FM station. His answer? "I don't
know--I haven't
figured out how to work the thing yet".
I liked the old auto radios--two knobs; one for
volume, the other for
tuning and a bunch of preset buttons in the middle.
Pull to set, push
to switch.