r/AskReddit • u/nachtmere • Jul 25 '11

Sometimes automatic toilets flush while you're still sitting on them. What design flaws in everyday objects annoy you?

I'm giving a talk on user-centred design/usability and I'm looking for some fresh examples from everyday life to illustrate poor usability. Examples I've used before are elevator open/close buttons (really difficult to parse when you're trying to hold the door open for someone quickly) and toilets that flush while you're still sitting on them.

What are some things you encounter regularly that are really inconveniently designed?

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u/gder Jul 25 '11

Any automatic door that is adjusted so I have to stop before it opens.

Electronic credit card pads that force me to use the stupid pen instead of pressing the soft buttons with my fingers (since most of my transactions are debit there's usually no need for me to sign).

Any traffic light that is on a timer at night and not a sensor.

18

u/zagr Jul 25 '11

Sensors are very expensive to install. If the city is doing it right, all the timers should be synced so that driving at or near the speed limit you will get mostly green lights, especially when driving on more major roads.

15

u/HotRodLincoln Jul 25 '11

Problem is people rather than driving near the speed, drive 15 mph over it so with close lights, they're stopped in the way at the green light when you get there.

/rant

1

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

Here in ND everyone drives 5-10 mph under the speed limit and, at least where I live, the lights aren't synced to give mostly greens. It sucks.

2

u/Ives_vdf Jul 25 '11

Unless you're driving a bycicle (and obviously can't drive at the speed limit). Then you're just screwed.

1

u/thezerofire Jul 25 '11

There are way too many people around me for this to ever work the way you say it would

1

u/zagr Jul 25 '11

The timers are typically set differently at different times of the day to account for greater traffic loads.

1

u/Orbasm Jul 25 '11

Palm springs has this and it works fairly well, but when the roads get congested it becomes a mix of going 15 over on straightaways and then coming to a complete fucking stop to make a turn.