USB is just too fiddly
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Does anyone have problems plugging in their headsets or speakers into a socket smaller than a USB connector? :confused: Any question on the orientation? Can you do it without looking? USB connector design sucks. 'nough said. :rose:
Gary
Actually I'm not too happy with audio plugs either! :mad: Nahhh, just kidding :)
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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Fabio Franco wrote:
serial ports
Fortunately we've come a long way. I'm just saying that there seems to be room for improvement - and yet USB has remained the standard for so long and is not about to change.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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I see, but it isn't plausible changing a standard that has such a solid base and it is widely used all over the world just for comfort purposes, it is just not gonna happen, what would happen to all divices based on USB case another port is adopted, everyone would have to by adapters to fit their current devices. Also who would build a different kind of port if nobody is gonna use. It would be built only if USB became obsolete and bigger needs were arrising. So USB design improvements will probably only be accounted when a whole new kind of port gets designed.
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In general, most USB wires have the USB symbol etched on top of the correct side. If you're using USB pen drives, it'll have the manufacturer name/logo etched on top of the correct side. This may not be true in all cases, but was true in all of the USB devices I've used so far.
SG Cause is effect concealed. Effect is cause revealed.
SimulationofSai wrote:
most USB wires have the USB symbol
But not all. I have a flash drive that has no difference of any kind from side to side. So I put a small yellow smiley face sticker ":)" on the side where the USB symbol should be.
BDF A learned fool is more a fool than an ignorant fool. -- Moliere
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I see, but it isn't plausible changing a standard that has such a solid base and it is widely used all over the world just for comfort purposes, it is just not gonna happen, what would happen to all divices based on USB case another port is adopted, everyone would have to by adapters to fit their current devices. Also who would build a different kind of port if nobody is gonna use. It would be built only if USB became obsolete and bigger needs were arrising. So USB design improvements will probably only be accounted when a whole new kind of port gets designed.
Yep, you're right. But I'd even be happy if the plug part had holes on one side only (it's still a bit of a mystery to me exactly what they're for anyway - and why BOTH sides?). But one side only, and standardize it so they always have to face left or upwards of the socket.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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Does anyone else find connecting USB devices just a little bit annoying? Just by glancing at it you can't easily discern which way to plug it in - just trial and error. And sometimes you try and plug it in the right way, but it doesn't seem to fit right away (maybe it's just an inferior design on my PC case), so I assume it's the wrong way, and it should just be easy! Personally I find it way too fiddly, and I just find it hard to believe that by now they haven't come up with something that little bit more user-friendly for something so common.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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Buy a saitek eclipse keyboard then. It's backlit so even hunt and peckers can use it at night. For the rest of us, the lighting can be turned off (at least in v2 don't have a v1) and it's the closest thing I've found to the feel of a mid90s membrane type keyboard.
Otherwise [Microsoft is] toast in the long term no matter how much money they've got. They would be already if the Linux community didn't have it's head so firmly up it's own command line buffer that it looks like taking 15 years to find the desktop. -- Matthew Faithfull
Oh boy. :-\ Get one of these and my code will now work. Never knew how you geniuses achieve that level of perfection! :| Silly me, new keyboard (or light) is all that's needed. :-D Any suggestions as to how to keep the cats off the keyboard so I can see the backlit keys?
Gary
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dept1 wrote:
if you point the pitchfork up
Pitchfork? What pitchfork? I know what you mean, but the three devices I am looking at do not have the pitchfork symbol. Nothing. Nada. This leaves either a) trial and error, or better named error then trial and error and retrial, or b) look in the end, then look at the PC connector, stick it in then revert back to (a). :)
Gary
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Actually I'm not too happy with audio plugs either! :mad: Nahhh, just kidding :)
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
CP article: SmartPager - a Flickr-style pager control with go-to-page popup layer.
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Is FireWire any better?
ROFLOLMFAO
[QUOTE]Is FireWire any better?[/QUOTE] No. 4-pin connector is too delicate for even one-time use -- bump the inserted cable and the connector becomes unreliable. 9-pin is pretty much just a rectangle from the outside like USB. 6-pin has non-rectangular outside. But, in all cases, one still needs to look at the cable to orient it before inserting, same as with USB. USB cables and devices usually have a logo or brand on their top side. If not, look at the conenctor and the thin side goes up: top |------------| | | |============| |------------| Some devices and computers violated spec and resist use together -- I've had to file excess plastic off one flash drive to get it to fit into the recessed port on my laptop. FYI, if using 1394b with XP, make sure to get the updated driver from MS that allows use of full bandwidth. They refuse to make it part of any service pack.
patbob
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dept1 wrote:
pitchfork
You mean the USB logo? Not all devices have this, but should solve part of the problem - thanks!
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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greg_shutdown wrote:
"USB logo" on every plug
That's a pretty broad claim. Guess you've had limited exposure.. And trying to feel for it takes longer than just trial and error. Thansk for the suggestions anyhow.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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Again, I said plug, not device (flash drives and so on) And I can't see how it takes longer than trial and error.. One side is flat, the other has a logo =/
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Ashley van Gerven wrote:
I'm not too happy with audio plugs
Hmmm, maybe Greg was right: "you seem REALLY bad with computers!" You're probably inserting them upside down. Give em a 360 degree rotation before inserting. :laugh:
Gary
Actually I push the plug hard into my ear. And when I feel a slight cold feeling on my brain, and still no sound, I normally figure it out. ;P
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
CP article: SmartPager - a Flickr-style pager control with go-to-page popup layer.
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Oh boy. :-\ Get one of these and my code will now work. Never knew how you geniuses achieve that level of perfection! :| Silly me, new keyboard (or light) is all that's needed. :-D Any suggestions as to how to keep the cats off the keyboard so I can see the backlit keys?
Gary
ghle wrote:
Any suggestions as to how to keep the cats off the keyboard so I can see the backlit keys?
leave it in your buddies dog bed for a few hours. :cool:
Otherwise [Microsoft is] toast in the long term no matter how much money they've got. They would be already if the Linux community didn't have it's head so firmly up it's own command line buffer that it looks like taking 15 years to find the desktop. -- Matthew Faithfull
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greg_shutdown wrote:
the "USB logo" on every plug on the "top" side
How could I be so daft not to notice something so obvious? So, I now have two USB flash drives in front of me. Neither meets your "every plug" criteria, so you are wrong. No "USB logo" anywhere, not even "USB" printed on the device. No raised diagram that I think you are calling a "USB logo". Marketing has company and item logos on both sides (or is it top & bottom?) so you can't tell by looking. Cheapo companies tho, called SanDisk and Kingston. And "TOP" side, which side would that be? There is no standard orientation on a vertical slot. You are way off base and need to experience some real world. There is nothing to feel that is any different between the two sides (or is it top & bottom?), not on the connector. Regardless, even if the connector had a marking or touchy-feely logo, what is on the computer port that tells you which side is "top"? Nothing, that's what! I'm giving you a 1 for lack of research and comprehension. Besides, a 15 or 16 year old youngun would have less trouble than us old farts. :-O Make the port a trapezoid and us old farts can press our thumbs on the port behind the computer, look at the indentation on our thumb and know which way to plug it in. Current USB plug can't do that.
Gary
Well.. I did say PLUG didn't I? Not USB Flash or anything.. plug.. And 99% of them have the marking (the other 1% is for the ones I assume still exist somewhere but don't have it, but I'm pretty sure these are AWEFULLY rare!) Secondly.. Up is Up and TOP is TOP.. If your PC manufacturer set the ports vertically.. Well.. then it's not hard to remember that one of the 2 sides is the "top", now is it?? And for God's sake.. You "old farts", as you said, stop puttings your fingers everywhere. You'll get electrocuted some day, and you'll learn a lesson (hopefully) P.S. THanks for the "1".. You're not alone
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I see, but it isn't plausible changing a standard that has such a solid base and it is widely used all over the world just for comfort purposes, it is just not gonna happen, what would happen to all divices based on USB case another port is adopted, everyone would have to by adapters to fit their current devices. Also who would build a different kind of port if nobody is gonna use. It would be built only if USB became obsolete and bigger needs were arrising. So USB design improvements will probably only be accounted when a whole new kind of port gets designed.
Fabio Franco wrote:
it isn't plausible changing a standard that has such a solid base and it is widely used
Yeah, good thinking. Now where do I plug in my db-9/db-25?
Fabio Franco wrote:
everyone would have to by adapters to fit their current devices
Seems true.
Gary
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Actually I push the plug hard into my ear. And when I feel a slight cold feeling on my brain, and still no sound, I normally figure it out. ;P
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
CP article: SmartPager - a Flickr-style pager control with go-to-page popup layer.
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Well.. I did say PLUG didn't I? Not USB Flash or anything.. plug.. And 99% of them have the marking (the other 1% is for the ones I assume still exist somewhere but don't have it, but I'm pretty sure these are AWEFULLY rare!) Secondly.. Up is Up and TOP is TOP.. If your PC manufacturer set the ports vertically.. Well.. then it's not hard to remember that one of the 2 sides is the "top", now is it?? And for God's sake.. You "old farts", as you said, stop puttings your fingers everywhere. You'll get electrocuted some day, and you'll learn a lesson (hopefully) P.S. THanks for the "1".. You're not alone
greg_shutdown wrote:
I did say PLUG didn't I? Not USB Flash or anything.. plug.
Ah, I guess that's not a USB plug on my USB flash drive. Hmm, what do I call it? :confused: I know, a plug. Yeah, that's it. I think that's what's on my USB wireless network adapter, too - a plug. Now, had you said plug on a "cable" .... You understand, the PLUG connects to: a) a cable, b) a flash drive, c) a hard disk, d) a coffee warmer, e) a wireless network adapter, etc., etc. They all have PLUGS for connectors. My desk light has a PLUG on a cord, and my airwick air freshener (nicely removes the smell of burnt flesh) has a PLUG with no cord.
greg_shutdown wrote:
it's not hard to remember that one of the 2 sides is the "top", now is it?
Right on, but WHICH of the identical sides is the top? That's the hard thing to remember, and it varies based on which PC I'm looking at. Is the left-sided top the top, or the right-sided top the top? Is it the left side looking in at the plug end, or the other end? I think the point is that it IS a pain in the butt, and a better design is NOT too hard to achieve. Dam, look at the 100 year old 1/4" phone plugs and jacks used to connect telephone calls. Same plug both ends, no up or down, plug it in and it works. Yeah, really old technology, but guess what the DEX/UCS cable of today is modeled after? Same thing.
greg_shutdown wrote:
If your PC manufacturer set the ports vertically
Plugs on PC 1 under the desk on front are horizontal, on back are vertical. 2nd PC on desk, USB only on back, horizontal. 3rd PC under desk, only in back, vertical. 4th PC on other desk, front horizontal, back horizontal. 5th PC, no USB. Laptop, horizontal on left and right side of keyboard. Yep, I use them all. Nope, not too hard to "remember" which is which on each computer. :mad: CRS syndrome?
greg_shutdown wrote:
you'll learn a lesson
Us "old farts" with EE degrees know that the 5 volts ain't gonna kill us, even standing bare foot in water. Crap, we "old farts" test batteries by sticking our tongues on em. :cool: We take the coil off an auto engine (coils before your time?) to make a 9-volt battery power an 8-foot florescent light bulb. We stick our fingers into the high-voltage circuitry of a TV just to see how big a spark we
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Does anyone else find connecting USB devices just a little bit annoying? Just by glancing at it you can't easily discern which way to plug it in - just trial and error. And sometimes you try and plug it in the right way, but it doesn't seem to fit right away (maybe it's just an inferior design on my PC case), so I assume it's the wrong way, and it should just be easy! Personally I find it way too fiddly, and I just find it hard to believe that by now they haven't come up with something that little bit more user-friendly for something so common.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
What I think is extra annoying is that basically ALL computer companies put the LAN port right next to the USB ports, and when I reach into the back of my computer to plug in my USB device, I always accidently plug it into the LAN port! Why the heck must they make lan ports the same exact width as the USB ports??? I hate moving my ginormous tower pc just to see the USB port!
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peterchen wrote:
the same plugs on both ends
Good idea! BTW do you have any idea why both sides of the plug part both have two holes? I mean if one side was easily distinguishable from the other they could standardize the direction.
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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Ashley van Gerven wrote:
BTW do you have any idea why both sides of the plug part both have two holes? I mean if one side was easily distinguishable from the other they could standardize the direction.
Exactly what I would like to know. It's really just four wires, so there's no actual need for different connectors. The flat one might have been chosen out of space considerations (tight packing for hubs, and low installation height e.g. for laptops. The holes "grip" some hold-down spriings when the cable is connected. They are on both sides probably to ensure proper contact. I've checked the USB specification, it requires the host connector to be the "flat" one, and detachable cables to be the "shaggy square face" type, but no rationale is given. Firewire makes so much more sense in this respect. It's easy to see, and if you have to connect in Helen Keller mode, the plug either fits easily or not at all. I know that connectors are "dollar graves" when trying to build cheap electronics, but I don't think there's a notable production cost difference between firewire and USB connectors. [edit]Found a little bit of info under "prohibited configurations". Apparently, they use different connectors to avoid connecting two downstreasm ports. Which makes a little bit sense, users can't plug together "things that don't work", and you can probably save some protective electronics. Still the host-side plug remains silly design :D
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What I think is extra annoying is that basically ALL computer companies put the LAN port right next to the USB ports, and when I reach into the back of my computer to plug in my USB device, I always accidently plug it into the LAN port! Why the heck must they make lan ports the same exact width as the USB ports??? I hate moving my ginormous tower pc just to see the USB port!
Yeah that's what I was saying about having to reach around and fiddle when plugging something in tbe back. Although I can usually feel the LAN port which is wider (it's mroe square unlike USB). Of course if it's an ongoing problem - just plug in an unused LAN cable ;)
"For fifty bucks I'd put my face in their soup and blow." - George Costanza
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