The Technology Vent and Rant Thread

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

I didn't have much trouble with Windows 8 and 8.1 once I got used to it. However, the problem with them was that they just made a massive change to accommodate everyone with a touch screen...and no one else. As an example, what was wrong with the "X" in the corner to close a program? This is something that has been part of Windows since the days of Windows 3.1 (if not earlier) and yet they just toss it?

Because someone in Redmond read the memo that touch-oriented user interfaces on handheld devices and mouse-oriented user interfaces on desktop computers are fundamentally different with conflicting requirements and user expectations. And then proceeded to ignore said memo and every whit of UI design knowledge in order to push through their one size fits everything implementation.

Ever wonder why Apple don't make touch screen Macs? That's why.

[Renate]

I happen to have a touch screen laptop, a Lenovo Yoga 6.
I've never used the touch aspect of the screen.
It was inexpensive, on sale and has enough horsepower for me.
I popped it open and upgraded the 256 GB SSD to 1 TB.

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by ratinox

Because someone in Redmond read the memo that touch-oriented user interfaces on handheld devices and mouse-oriented user interfaces on desktop computers are fundamentally different with conflicting requirements and user expectations. And then proceeded to ignore said memo and every whit of UI design knowledge in order to push through their one size fits everything implementation.

Ever wonder why Apple don't make touch screen Macs? That's why.

What they should have done with Windows 8 is have a Wizard that comes up when you first boot up the computer. What the Wizard does is ask a series of questions that will customize Windows 8 for your specific computer set up and your preferences. As an example:

• Do you have a touch screen? Yes No
• Do you want the standard icons in the upper right corner for minimize, maximize, and close? Yes No
• Do you want to use a mouse? Yes No
• Do you want the Start Menu? Yes No

At the end, Windows 8 is customized to match your preferences based on your answers. If you want to change your configuration just run the Wizard again. I think if this was the case Windows 8 would not have been as disliked at it has been.

[DNSB]

As someone who was part of a workplace trial with people trying to use a touchscreen monitor with a desktop computer (the trial lasted about one week), the memory that comes to mind was RSI and compo! as the worker's compensation claims lined up.

Whomever decided that holding your arm out to touch a screen for hours a day was a good idea obviously never tried it.

My laptop back then had a touch screen which was useful when I folded it into tablet mode but then I had a rather heavy tablet with no other redeeming virtues.

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by DNSB

As someone who was part of a workplace trial with people trying to use a touchscreen monitor with a desktop computer (the trial lasted about one week), the memory that comes to mind was RSI and compo! as the worker's compensation claims lined up.

Whomever decided that holding your arm out to touch a screen for hours a day was a good idea obviously never tried it.

My laptop back then had a touch screen which was useful when I folded it into tablet mode but then I had a rather heavy tablet with no other redeeming virtues.

I agree that a touch screen is impractical when it comes to a computer monitor. I have a touchscreen on my computer, but I use it so little that I didn't notice that it was a touchscreen at first. It could be because I'm an old computer user but when it comes to computer work I prefer to use a mouse and keyboard rather than a touch screen. To me, touch screens are for portable devices with non-large screens where a keyboard is not practical.

[ownedbycats]

At the hospital for rehab I saw cybertruck. Double-parked too.

I didn't even know those things were real.

[Comfy.n]

I thought I might be hallucinating when I saw this one in my neighbourhood the other day. It was like 3:00 AM in a street where some homeless kids were sniffing inhalants and chasing each other then on the other side I saw this f* awesome cybertruck with blue neon lights passing by like some mirage.

[ownedbycats]

It reminds me of somebody setting the LOD on a game very low like this.

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

It reminds me of somebody setting the LOD on a game very low like this.

yep, it's like Accolade GPU on low res, lol.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

At the hospital for rehab I saw cybertruck. Double-parked too.

I didn't even know those things were real.

They aren't in the EU or UK. Don't meet specs for pedestrian safety.

Reminds me of the stupidity of the de Lorean car made in Belfast. So many stupid design decisions on it: the gullwing door design, too low power an engine, the stainless steel skin on fibreglass body which delaminates.

At least it was the right kind of steel. The Cybertruck uses the wrong kind.

Both models need a nice smooth road, not unreasonable for a sports cars, even a sort of fake one, but strange for a pickup truck. An electrified Toyota hilux is probably better. There are companies that retrofit electric drive trains instead of the ICE. There is a kit for London "black taxis".

[DNSB]

One couple that I know are still very upset after 4 months. They decided to go with a Tesla Model 3 as their new vehicle last summer. About a month after the picked it up, an atmospheric river passed through for about a week. After the rain had stopped, they went to pick up some groceries. Sadly their Tesla which was parked in their driveway wouldn't start. Finally got a tech sent out who told them the battery got wet and so it needs to be replaced. The fun part is that Tesla says this is not covered by the warranty and so they need to pony up ~$25K for the repair. They are now before the courts since since the lawyer they consulted said Tesla's documentation gives no warning that heavy rain could cause an issue. It's not as if the Tesla was in a flood, it was simply parked outside during several days of heavy rain.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

farthest I can remember is loading games from a cassette player (true story)

I had this TRS-80 Color Computer 2 clone

My first computer was a TRS-80 Model I with a cassette deck.

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My first computer was a TRS-80 Model I with a cassette deck.

Cool, I have vague/mixed remembrances overall between the CP400 I had and the MSX, but one clear memory I have is playing Zaxxon.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

I thought I might be hallucinating when I saw this one in my neighbourhood the other day. It was like 3:00 AM in a street where some homeless kids were sniffing inhalants and chasing each other then on the other side I saw this f* awesome cybertruck with blue neon lights passing by like some mirage.

More money then brains.

[Comfy.n]

I don't know what to make of it. Even if I knew I wouldn't be public about it.