Things that piss me off # 27: Bad Design
Jun. 14th, 2006 07:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
We have a free coffee-like-sludge machine which produces a range of different drinks in various shades of brown. It also produces water, both hot and cold. In order to cater to those people who like different textures of grit in their coffee it has buttons marked "mild", "normal" and "strong". Once you have chosen your particular kind of drink (coffee, espresso, chocolate) you then press one of these buttons to show how macho/tired/masochistic you are currently feeling.
What annoys me is a particularly bad piece of design - the machine pauses for approximately three seconds to allow you to choose your drink strength - and it does so _even if you choose water_. In fact, choosing a strength for your water means the machine stops waiting and starts pouring, so pressing "Water", "Normal" gives you a drink without the wait.
Repeated experimentation has so-far shown no difference in taste between mild and strong water, but it's possible that sufficient exposure will eventually sensitise me to whatever subtle piquancy divides them.
What annoys me is a particularly bad piece of design - the machine pauses for approximately three seconds to allow you to choose your drink strength - and it does so _even if you choose water_. In fact, choosing a strength for your water means the machine stops waiting and starts pouring, so pressing "Water", "Normal" gives you a drink without the wait.
Repeated experimentation has so-far shown no difference in taste between mild and strong water, but it's possible that sufficient exposure will eventually sensitise me to whatever subtle piquancy divides them.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-14 06:54 pm (UTC)I presume it's hard and soft water. Try using them to "wash" things (wikipedia can help you on technique, if necessary) and see how it goes...
Although if one is heavy water, be concerned.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-14 07:16 pm (UTC)Of possible interest..
Date: 2006-06-14 07:17 pm (UTC)The link to the article (audio and text) is here. I thought it was rather interesting.
Re: Of possible interest..
Date: 2006-06-14 07:40 pm (UTC)Re: Of possible interest..
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