Highway signs are pretty good too.
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Rant Thread - What really grinds your gears?
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nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Thankfully that two factor crap is optional. Not sure for how long, but the last thing I need is to learn yet another confusing system. What I don't understand is, every time Microsoft, Yahoo or Google think my account is being compromised, it's after I, me, the account owner, actually logged into it? Since when is a successful login into my account from a new smartphone suddenly suspicious? The G2 is in the same location as the myriad of other gadgets and Android products are, and they don't do that!
Speaking of signs seen on roads, I caught sight of a typo on one of those large dot matrix signs on a highway often used for traffic safety tips or Amber alerts and wished I got a picture, but couldn't as I was driving.
"Drive sober and get your head out of your ass"
Was supposed to be "apps" lol
Speaking of signs seen on roads, I caught sight of a typo on one of those large dot matrix signs on a highway often used for traffic safety tips or Amber alerts and wished I got a picture, but couldn't as I was driving.
"Drive sober and get your head out of your ass"
Was supposed to be "apps" lol
Dngrsone
Android Expert
Okay, let's talk about standardized icons for a minute:
While an image of a floppy disk makes sense to those of us who used to deal with them twenty years ago, my kids have no idea what that image represents.
Just like my daughter has no idea the check engine light is a caricature of an engine, because engines have not looked like that in nearly thirty years.
While an image of a floppy disk makes sense to those of us who used to deal with them twenty years ago, my kids have no idea what that image represents.
Just like my daughter has no idea the check engine light is a caricature of an engine, because engines have not looked like that in nearly thirty years.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
That isn't exactly true. Though you're correct that many kids haven't used a floppy disk, most are plenty aware of what a disk icon means, and are well aware of records or cassette tapes.
But what is equally user unfriendly is alienating the many still around who don't know what a pushpin icon means, or if X is a delete button or stop button. There is less and less consistency in user interface design lately that adds such confusion as standards are being thrown out completely. To remain relevant to your check engine analogy, just how many know what a triangle with exclamation point means? To most it is the symbol for danger, electricity! And seen on the back of electronic devices warning of a shock hazard. Then there are plenty of other, more modern warning lights which are ignored as they don't make sense. The catalytic converter over temp light looks like a pot on a stove. The spring icon for glow plugs is mistaken for a burnt out exterior lamp light. I can go on.
I keep Hotmail since I still use Windows and my Xbox live account. I keep emails from billing, online transaction confirmations and other info there. My Gmail account is more full of spam than anything I'd ever read. I did use Yahoo for personal info but I can't remember the password for the blasted thing as they forced me to use one I couldn't possibly remember.
But what is equally user unfriendly is alienating the many still around who don't know what a pushpin icon means, or if X is a delete button or stop button. There is less and less consistency in user interface design lately that adds such confusion as standards are being thrown out completely. To remain relevant to your check engine analogy, just how many know what a triangle with exclamation point means? To most it is the symbol for danger, electricity! And seen on the back of electronic devices warning of a shock hazard. Then there are plenty of other, more modern warning lights which are ignored as they don't make sense. The catalytic converter over temp light looks like a pot on a stove. The spring icon for glow plugs is mistaken for a burnt out exterior lamp light. I can go on.
I keep Hotmail since I still use Windows and my Xbox live account. I keep emails from billing, online transaction confirmations and other info there. My Gmail account is more full of spam than anything I'd ever read. I did use Yahoo for personal info but I can't remember the password for the blasted thing as they forced me to use one I couldn't possibly remember.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
Dude, I went on deployment and got locked out of Hotmail some twelve years ago... I couldn't remember the password, and Hotmail consistently refused to reset it for me... I couldn't say specifically which IP I used to access the account last (kind of tough when one was behind one of the world's largest government-run firewalls).
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
There are plenty of BMW M3 owners also unfamiliar with the new warning light for engine reduced power, which is the check engine light filled in halfway. On modern Saturn vehicles, such as my ION, the reduced power light is an engine with a downward pointing arrow inside, which would likely be mistaken for low coolant.
The 1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria had two check engine lights on the EFI model. Both had the same icon, and the words simply differed. One said 'engine' and the other 'check engine'
You figure it out. That was the 1980s
The 1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria had two check engine lights on the EFI model. Both had the same icon, and the words simply differed. One said 'engine' and the other 'check engine'
You figure it out. That was the 1980s
What's this sign for and which one is which? 
Was on an old German ship once, just had a single letter on the doors "D" and "H", which one was the gents?
Was on an old German ship once, just had a single letter on the doors "D" and "H", which one was the gents?
His & Hers restrooms.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
Well, standards require cooperation. Consider the heavy competition between web browsers back in the early days of the WWW; using someone else's icons was just asking for a(nother) lawsuit, so we had three different "standards" for browsing, email, etc... those problems are still prevalent in the office suite arena, where Microsoft changes the look of every other iteration of their suites and aggressively deters the competition from making anything that looks remotely similar, in appearance, design, or performance.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Some icon standards don't age though. We still use a snowflake icon for A/C, and icons for web browsers haven't changed since Netscape Navigator. It just seems hip for Google, Apple and the like to purposely change standards to more confusing iconography for the sake of change. Next thing you know is everyone despises the physical menu button on an Android phone because Google said to. I still prefer the consistency of knowing where that action is, because Google hasn't made up their mind yet obviously as it is all over the place and I spend more time hunting for it on devices with soft keys than simply saving time and hitting menu on my Samsung Galaxy Note 3. But then in some ways I subscribe to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality as I don't believe everything has to change. Otherwise cars would have three wheels instead of four. Somewhere, someone, long ago, realized that cars with four wheels work.
It would seem ironic that most who can actually use modern, gesture ridden UI these days are no older than 18 years of age, yet most who use computers and technology these days are much older people and I would bet them being the majority.
My grand mother uses a Windows Vista laptop. I'm not looking forward to her upgrading to Windows 8 as she plans to. She just got a Galaxy S4 and that's a nightmare I'd rather not revisit. She had a early Cingular flip phone for over a decade. To this day she can't figure out how to get apps on there as she outright refuses to create a Gmail account since she's used Yahoo for as long as she has had internet access and refuses to change. I can't convince her that she can use yahoo and keep the Gmail account for Google Play and never use it for email.
It would seem ironic that most who can actually use modern, gesture ridden UI these days are no older than 18 years of age, yet most who use computers and technology these days are much older people and I would bet them being the majority.
My grand mother uses a Windows Vista laptop. I'm not looking forward to her upgrading to Windows 8 as she plans to. She just got a Galaxy S4 and that's a nightmare I'd rather not revisit. She had a early Cingular flip phone for over a decade. To this day she can't figure out how to get apps on there as she outright refuses to create a Gmail account since she's used Yahoo for as long as she has had internet access and refuses to change. I can't convince her that she can use yahoo and keep the Gmail account for Google Play and never use it for email.
Yup.
Just remembered, I saw in Porthmadog, Wales once and nearly got caught out. Pub toilet just had "M" on the door, well in Welsh "M" means 'Merched", which is "Ladies"...LOL
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Around here public icons look as if they came straight out of a game made by Valve...
Got tons of Bendy icons for warnings, similar to Aperture Laboratories test chamber warnings...usually seen in industrial buildings, bridges or warnings placed on lawnmowers
Very close to this
Got tons of Bendy icons for warnings, similar to Aperture Laboratories test chamber warnings...usually seen in industrial buildings, bridges or warnings placed on lawnmowers
Very close to this
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For hazard notices in this country, there's often an icon as well as bilingual text.
Something that grinds my gears... people who can't be bothered reading the nice user manual thoughtfully provided by the manufacturer.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
Something that grinds my gears... people who can't be bothered reading the largely unhelpful user manual thoughtfully provided by the manufacturer.
FTFY
Truthfully, I have always read my vehicles owner's manual, but some of them are about as helpful as my recently deceased cat.
That's why I have the internet... and even then, I often as not end up answering my own questions.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
User manuals often end up missing in the case of used cars. But unlike modern operating systems, for the most part, icons used as warnings and indicators on motor vehicles, with few exceptions, are standardized across manufacturers. Some vary, with Check Engine either being an icon, or simply called the Malfunction Indicator Lamp, or simply using text to carry its message, as is the case with Service Engine Soon.
The original check engine lamp was seen in the 1970s. Even the Ford Pinto had a warning called 'engine'. Some in the early 80s also had an icon of an engine, the same icon used for an emissions malfunction as is predominantly used today. Back then, it meant that either the charging system was malfunctioning, or oil pressure was below normal, or coolant temperature was too high, and often appeared in instrument clusters lacking oil pressure, temperature or charging system gauges. It intended to clean up and declutter the panel and reduce the unnecessary skeuomorphism of analog gauges or the clutter of warning lights all over the place (I'm joking of course but you can get my point).
It literally meant to check the engine. More sophisticated vehicles would even shut down and display one saying 'STOP ENGINE' alongside the engine warning if one kept driving regardless. But the issue was that it was vague. Unless steam appeared from overheating, it was hard for most to tell if it was a charging system or oil pressure issue. Since on board diagnostics didn't yet exist, it added to that trouble. People frustrated with this system just opted for the full gauge package instead.
One could mention the oil can logo used for low oil pressure is about as dated as the floppy disk save icon, yet most know what the warning light means. It's possible most still know what the floppy icon means, even today.
For the record I still prefer my cars basic, familiar and not full of endless warning lights, even though I do drool over that technology seen in many new cars. But I would likely grow tired of the constant nagging just as I used to yank out the buzzer module from my Chrysler Fifth Avenue that sounded if I didn't fasten my belt or left the car with the keys in the ignition.
The original check engine lamp was seen in the 1970s. Even the Ford Pinto had a warning called 'engine'. Some in the early 80s also had an icon of an engine, the same icon used for an emissions malfunction as is predominantly used today. Back then, it meant that either the charging system was malfunctioning, or oil pressure was below normal, or coolant temperature was too high, and often appeared in instrument clusters lacking oil pressure, temperature or charging system gauges. It intended to clean up and declutter the panel and reduce the unnecessary skeuomorphism of analog gauges or the clutter of warning lights all over the place (I'm joking of course but you can get my point).
It literally meant to check the engine. More sophisticated vehicles would even shut down and display one saying 'STOP ENGINE' alongside the engine warning if one kept driving regardless. But the issue was that it was vague. Unless steam appeared from overheating, it was hard for most to tell if it was a charging system or oil pressure issue. Since on board diagnostics didn't yet exist, it added to that trouble. People frustrated with this system just opted for the full gauge package instead.
One could mention the oil can logo used for low oil pressure is about as dated as the floppy disk save icon, yet most know what the warning light means. It's possible most still know what the floppy icon means, even today.
For the record I still prefer my cars basic, familiar and not full of endless warning lights, even though I do drool over that technology seen in many new cars. But I would likely grow tired of the constant nagging just as I used to yank out the buzzer module from my Chrysler Fifth Avenue that sounded if I didn't fasten my belt or left the car with the keys in the ignition.
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Dngrsone
Android Expert
My personal opinion, mind, but I think bypassing seatbelt alarms is downright stupid.
I and my family members have been saved from serious damage too many times by seatbelts to ignore an important reminder to do something that normally comes as second-nature to me anyway: fasten safety belt!
I and my family members have been saved from serious damage too many times by seatbelts to ignore an important reminder to do something that normally comes as second-nature to me anyway: fasten safety belt!
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Chime doesn't bother me, just the uber annoying BUZZZZ used in late 1970s vehicles and 1980s and 90s Chevrolet vans. Under the dash is a large orange or yellow box, pulling it disables that annoyance.
Those earlier vehicles had just two points arcing to make the sound and it was very annoying.
Modern cars aren't so simple as the chime is either soldered into the instrument panel or part of the stereo system.
the seat belt icon on the dash makes an annoying buzzer moot IMO. Either way be it there or not, some ignore them anyway. But be reminded it's also used for other things. In my Pontiac Bonneville, it would sound four chimes whenever something was wrong. And keep doing it over and over until you wanted to intentionally drive the car into a ditch. One example was driving at night. It incorrectly told me in the message center that the rear tail and brake lamps were out, of course this is a critical issue so it sounds the four dings incessantly. Thing is, the brake and tail lights worked fine when viewed by another person.
Those earlier vehicles had just two points arcing to make the sound and it was very annoying.
Modern cars aren't so simple as the chime is either soldered into the instrument panel or part of the stereo system.
the seat belt icon on the dash makes an annoying buzzer moot IMO. Either way be it there or not, some ignore them anyway. But be reminded it's also used for other things. In my Pontiac Bonneville, it would sound four chimes whenever something was wrong. And keep doing it over and over until you wanted to intentionally drive the car into a ditch. One example was driving at night. It incorrectly told me in the message center that the rear tail and brake lamps were out, of course this is a critical issue so it sounds the four dings incessantly. Thing is, the brake and tail lights worked fine when viewed by another person.
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Okay, enough of the car talk... we've a perfectly good Automotive Talk sub-forum for this type of extended discussion, where it will be more appreciated.
If you want to continue I'll be happy to move all car-related posts into a new thread over there - let me know.
If you want to continue I'll be happy to move all car-related posts into a new thread over there - let me know.
LOveWerks
Android Expert
All of the past rants and posts are right on! Dealing with Google Dashboard and YouTube gives me a skull-splitting headache. Whenever you sync a smartphone to a portal like 'heaven forbid Yahoo!' is also a nightmare.
It's all Nanny-nanny-boo-boo...
I try to avoid it, at all costs. All of you who ranted and posted had all of the salient points covered, and, my 'like button' pressed. It's much more interesting than many of the posts I've done.
Thank you for the rants and posts. It's nice to see interaction here.
LW
It's all Nanny-nanny-boo-boo...
I try to avoid it, at all costs. All of you who ranted and posted had all of the salient points covered, and, my 'like button' pressed. It's much more interesting than many of the posts I've done.
Thank you for the rants and posts. It's nice to see interaction here.
LW
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
I simply don't deal with anything like that on the phone - I use the laptop. Easier to type, easier to read and can pull out the power cord or cable if anything seems funky. I can cancel wifi in a minute, too. This thing has touch controls. Accidentally snagged a download button the other day, and simply pulled the cable. Easy to do when there's a cat in your lap who feels like having a good rub and headbutting session.
I mostly use the phone to look up information, and for texting, not to mention my reference library.
I mostly use the phone to look up information, and for texting, not to mention my reference library.
K
