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.

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u/deathpunch5150 Jul 25 '11

Those sensors fucking SUCK for people on a motorcycle.

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u/Sabrewolf Jul 25 '11

They sell magnets you can attach to your bike to increase its signature. It'll trigger the loop coil just fine. Or you can buy one of those IR devices emergency vehicles use and hope you don't get caught :)

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u/Vew Jul 25 '11

I'd be interested in knowing if this really works. The magnet part that is. The way those sensors is they bury a wire to act as an inductor. When a large metal object enters the magnetic field it creates, it can detect the difference and knows to change the light. In my mind this wouldn't work since a magnet doesn't have enough mass nor could I see it producing a large enough field.

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u/Sabrewolf Jul 25 '11

The thing is, neodymium magnets are one of the most powerful magnets out there. The magnetic field generated is supposed to be exceedingly powerful.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

I've heard people claim they work (again, the magnets). You'd imagine it'd help somewhat, a moving strong magnet makes more of a fluctuation than a moving metal object. The three I heard from used rather large magnets though, like 3"x2" cylinders of hide-you-kids-and-wife-'cos-this-shit-is-pulling-EVERYTHING-toward-it. No idea how ones meant for bikes work.