Re: What Is "Programming"? (was: Flame Bait! Windows vs: The Unices)

From: Niklas Borson (niklasb_at_microsoft.com)
Date: 01/23/04 

Date: 22 Jan 2004 21:50:32 -0800

Programmer Dude <Chris@Sonnack.com> wrote in message news:<400EF0F2.7E9A20F0@Sonnack.com>...
> Richard Heathfield wrote:
>
> > The ideal computing solution is a device with a single button.
> > Alas, even then, some users...
>
> LOL! Yeah, they'll find a way to click it exactly wrong!!

Actually, a single-button interface can be fairly interesting.
Remember the video game Joust?

> [snip]
> (The reason for my initial disagreement was recalling how much I
> *dislike* devices (e.g. digital watches) that pack a lot of function
> into three or four *extremely* context-driven buttons.

<rant>
I get annoyed with consumer devices that use a single multi-position
switch where multiple switches would be more appropriate. For example,
the on/off switch should be separate IMO, but too often, turning
something on requires positioning a multi-function switch just right.
</rant>

<another_rant>
As another example, my alarm clock has a dial that switches between
several modes: e.g., set alarm, set time, alarm off, alarm on. As a
result, I can't easily tell in the dark whether the alarm is on. The
alarm should be turned on and off via a simple toggle switch, ideally
one easily distinguished from the other controls by feel.
</another_rant>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Alarm System Contacts
    ... normally open switch is one that is open until it gets activated. ... switches are activated by the magnet getting close. ... Alarm people have the opposite take on it. ... opens when magnet is removed from proximity. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Latching Relay Circuit Help
    ... Years ago John had one of those cheap alarm switches for his van. ... to label anything on it, I now have a circuit with six leads (One Red, One ... These attach to a small circuit board and two resistors [Red Red Green Gold ... me figure out 1) where to connect the trip NO MC Switch and load or 2. ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)
  • Re: Alarm System Contacts
    ... normally open switch is one that is open until it gets activated. ... switches are activated by the magnet getting close. ... Alarm people have the opposite take on it. ... opens when magnet is removed from proximity. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Septic alarm
    ... an on off switch, an alarm test switch, and an alarm off switch. ... prove the alarm box is OK remove the two wires from the alarm terminals. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Counter/ Timer Circuit
    ... machine our players want to hit more balls than they should. ... like for an alarm to go off after a pre-determined amount of pitches. ... reed switch with a magnet on the wheel. ... any dc voltage through a transformer to run a circuit. ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)