(Old Thread) RANT: What idiot designed the USB standard?

[Eli]

I haven't seen pics, but I hope to holy hell USB3 cables have better connectors.

While I agree with your sentiment, changing the USB connector is pretty much out of the question.. That would suck ass.

I am sure USB will eventually be replaced, but it still has a long time to go if we look at how long the serial (DB9) connector lasted.

I suppose they could theoretically change the connector, but still have backwards compatibility. I would be okay with that.

 

[pontifex]

Er... yeah, but you can look at a firewire port, even at a sharp angle, and then look at the connector, and you'll have a 100% chance of getting it inserted on the first attempt. You have to look INSIDE the USB port then look inside the connector to figure out which way it goes in. You can't look inside the port at a sharp angle, such as when you're looking behind your computer.

but if you're in the dark like the OP said or fumbling to plug it into the back of a pc where you can't see it, then the point is completely moot.

 

[Locut0s]

Well, at least Apple doesn't have to focus group their "standards," because they already know what is best for you, and that you will like it, and that you can't possibly demand anything else b/c it's already flawless...

It's this axiom that allows them to "upgrade" their "standards" every 0.5 years, requiring a new, much smaller mini, micro, nano, pico, femto display port, or adapter. No worries, though, b/c the adapter or new cable can be purchased for a mere $50 a pop--2x per year! :awe:


...but I do agree that the USB format blows chunks and that firewire makes more sense. IEEE1394 sucks in performance comparison.

hey, at least USB isn't HDMI, though.

Apple knows what you want even if you don't know it yet. Ease of access, customization, features, cut and paste? Nah you don't want that stuff, trust us. You DON'T WANT IT!!

 

[mugs]

but if you're in the dark like the OP said or fumbling to plug it into the back of a pc where you can't see it, then the point is completely moot.

Not entirely, because part of the problem is that you can partially insert the cable in either orientation, so it's not always clear if it's backwards or if it's just a bad angle. I guess you're one of those people have have never been annoyed by USB cables... kudos to you.

I suppose they could theoretically change the connector, but still have backwards compatibility. I would be okay with that.

It'd be easy enough with an adapter, unfortunately adapters take up space.

Something like Mini-USB would be great, because it'd allow laptops to have more ports. But the ports would still have to be spaced widely enough to accommodate a USB-A connector.

Still, I'd rather have 1 USB-A and 3 mini-USB (if devices started to move to that standard) on a laptop than 2 USB-A. If I need more than one USB-A I can always use a hub. Sometimes you have to suck it up to have a better future.

 

[WA261]

My ports are in the back and my rig is setup in a desk type thing, so its a bitch to try and even get to the ports. Trying to plug in shit sux ass. Never fails I always try the wrong way 1st.

 

[TXHokie]

Valid rant - but a nice upgrade from the bent pins of PS/2 and serial cable plug days. Tho I manage to forcefully plug in a USB flash drive the wrong way the other day.

 

[zinfamous]

But those have a tab you see notched out right there that usually make it fairly obvious which way is UP. USB doesn't even have this. A simple tab would make USB much better.

The worst is PS2, perfectly round mother-fuckers

agreed. PS2 is the worst, by far. Never had a problem with IDE--the notch is just too damn obvious, and it's a solid connection, which is far more important to me (though the wide ribbon sucks; but their are alternatives)

And while PS2 has always been the most infuriating for me to connect (I pretty much switched to USB mice b/c of fumbling around to find connection), at least the connection is solid. USB is still pretty solid once you find the proper orientation. ...and Toslink does suck. I use optical the least.

what I dislike the most currently, are HDMI and SATA. flimsy connections destined for failure.

 

[shortylickens]

Valid rant - but a nice upgrade from the bent pins of PS/2 and serial cable plug days. Tho I manage to forcefully plug in a USB flash drive the wrong way the other day.

Yeah I think the OP must be relatively new to computing. I still remember when PS/2 came out and we thought that was hot shit cuz it was so simple and had a wide range of uses.
Same thing with moving from ISA to PCI as the standard. Sure everyone thinks PCIe is the shit and PCI is just a waste of space, but you have no idea how small a step up it is in the grand scheme of computing. ISA was a pain, SCSI was an expensive pain, PCI made everything much easier.

Quit crying OP. You have no idea how good your life is, trust me.

 

[Rubycon]

It's actually easier to insert a 1394 plug in the wrong way and it will render that port dead instantly. Thank goodness most gear has at least two of them. Never had a problem with USB - wiggle it slightly and if it still doesn't slide in turn it around and you're good to go. Easy as falling off a log backwards.

 

[zinfamous]

but if you're in the dark like the OP said or fumbling to plug it into the back of a pc where you can't see it, then the point is completely moot.

well, to further bash out thsi silly argument, A tiny LED flashlight will allow you to see the port in both situations, which I think is what most people do. (don't we all have tiny LED lights hanging out near our desks?)

In that case, you still need to look inside the USB port.

Even if you don't light up, it's possible to make out the outline of the exterior port. a shaped port is easier to distinguish than a rectangular one.

 

[datalink7]

If we're going to talk about worst, I hate these connectors:

http://www.armyproperty.com/Equipment-Info/Pictures/Sincgars.jpg

 

[shortylickens]

If we're going to talk about worst, I hate these connectors:

http://www.armyproperty.com/Equipment-Info/Pictures/Sincgars.jpg

Dude!
I just had horrible flashbacks to the Navy.
D:
MAKE IT STOP!! MAKE IT STOPPP!

 

[zinfamous]

If we're going to talk about worst, I hate these connectors:

http://www.armyproperty.com/Equipment-Info/Pictures/Sincgars.jpg

are those similar to the connectors you typically find on security cameras? I forget what that's called....

 

[zinfamous]

Dude!
I just had horrible flashbacks to the Navy.
D:
MAKE IT STOP!! MAKE IT STOPPP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

 

[GTaudiophile]

Yeah I think the OP must be relatively new to computing. I still remember when PS/2 came out and we thought that was hot shit cuz it was so simple and had a wide range of uses.
Same thing with moving from ISA to PCI as the standard. Sure everyone thinks PCIe is the shit and PCI is just a waste of space, but you have no idea how small a step up it is in the grand scheme of computing. ISA was a pain, SCSI was an expensive pain, PCI made everything much easier.

Quit crying OP. You have no idea how good your life is, trust me.

Have been using PCs since 1986!

And to the dude who mentioned floppy ribbon cables...in my experience, you have to install those backwards for them to work...those are truly more of a PITA than USB...but floppies are dead at least.

 

[Aikouka]

You know, I've never really had a problem with those military connectors before, oddly enough.

Clearly the problem is the operator

Yeah, I've been told I have a tendency to put things in the wrong way or even the wrong hole.

 

[ultimatebob]

hey, at least USB isn't HDMI, though.

Hey now, I LIKE HDMI! Before then, it took a shit load of cables to run HD video and 5.1 surround sound from my Cable Box and DVD player to my receiver. Now, I only need one for each device.

Yes, the HDCP handshaking delay kind of sucks, but not as much as that mass of cables that I had behind my entertainment center.

 

[xSauronx]

My ports are in the back and my rig is setup in a desk type thing, so its a bitch to try and even get to the ports. Trying to plug in shit sux ass. Never fails I always try the wrong way 1st.

do yourself a favor and buy a hub to put on the desk?
/did that
/mine is full

 

[ObscureCaucasian]

I can only get USB to fit in one way...

1) Try to plug in the cable
2) If it doesn't work flip it around
3) Go to 1.

It usually only takes 3-4 iterations for success.

 

[Tsavo]

I can only get USB to fit in one way...

1) Try to plug in the cable
2) If it doesn't work flip it around
3) Go to 1.

It usually only takes 3-4 iterations for success.

Don't you mean to rotate the device by its long axis? Flipping it as you say only orients the plug distally from the receptacle!

 

[bearxor]

Interesting fact: Apple initially wanted Firewire to replace SCSI/IDE.

 

[Patranus]

Interesting fact: Apple initially wanted Firewire to replace SCSI/IDE.

Wanted?
FireWire did replace SCSI.

 

[alkemyst]

Firewire only fits one way = USB only fits one way.

What is your point?

QFT...both are equally easy to put in blindly.

if you can fit an USB cable in backwards something is wrong with the port or cable.

 

[Locut0s]

QFT...both are equally easy to put in blindly.

if you can fit an USB cable in backwards something is wrong with the port or cable.

Completely blindly ALL connectors are about equally hard to plug in. The point here is that USB isn't much easier once you can SEE the port unless you examine the inside of the connector closely. Firewire becomes instantly obvious once you can see the port. It's not a big issue for most people because they aren't plugging things in and out all the time. However I'm sure it's annoying for IT guys who have to work with them on a daily basis. You are right that you shouldn't be able to plug it in backwards though, how much force are these guys using, lol?

 

[pontifex]

well, to further bash out thsi silly argument, A tiny LED flashlight will allow you to see the port in both situations, which I think is what most people do. (don't we all have tiny LED lights hanging out near our desks?)

In that case, you still need to look inside the USB port.

Even if you don't light up, it's possible to make out the outline of the exterior port. a shaped port is easier to distinguish than a rectangular one.

most of my USB cables have the USB symbol on the side that is supposed to be on top when you insert the cable. no need to look inside the cable.

it's amazing how some people (not you zinfamous) can know everything little detail about my life based on 1 comment - like I've never had a single issue with plugging in a USB cable. It's interesting, because I have run into these issues before., but in the context of the OP, both cables have the same exact issue. but no one wants to follow logic around here. they just want to bash you for not agreeing with them.