11 Sep
2007
11 Sep
'07
1:22 p.m.
Symbols and labels on connectors on consumer devices have always
smelled like a hack to me. It would seem that the optimal solution
is to design the connectors so that it's IMPOSSIBLE to mate them up
improperly. Why have a mouse that can plug into the same mini-DIN
connector into which a keyboard can plug? Why not devise each
connector with a uniquely-shaped and sized receptacle and plug (a
simple receptacle collar and molded cable head would do) so that
installation becomes a matter of plugging the triangular shaped plug
into the like-shaped receptacle? I've never heard of anyone trying
to plug an RJ-45 network connector into a DB-25 printer socket.
And then have me moaning (both at the time and 10 years on) that I can't
get the connectors, and in the latter case I can't even buy the complete
cables any more. No thanks, I'll stick to stnadard connectors that I can
buy almost anywhere.
-tony
For an extreme example of the wrong-headedness of thoughtless design,
consider the lowly "wall wart" power supply. As an exercise, take
all of the warts from all of the devices in your house and place them
in a pile in the middle of a room. Draw the curtains and turn off
the lights and try to match warts up with devices without toasting
any.
How the seeing-impaired manage in this world is beyond comprehension.
Cheers,
Chuck