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

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Am I missing something? I've never encountered a USB that could be plugged in the wrong way...

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you're in the dark, you're still going to have to guess at firewire.

50/50 either way.

 

[Genx87]

Ha I think the same thing when fumbling around with a USB device.

 

[PingSpike]

It is annoying because electrical connections of all types are too delicate to just jam in. So if it doesn't go in easy, flip it around. Hey it doesn't go in easy that way either. Flip, add more pressure, not going in. Flip, add MORE pressure, not going. Son of a bitch, I know I could accidentally break this tiny POS at any time. Flip, add more pressure... wiggle.... sigh.

Yeah, exactly. I've successfully jammed one in before the wrong way so you have to do this incrementally force increase and flip dance every time.

Or how about when you insert it into the ethernet port that sits above a block of USB ports on every ATX motherboard in existence? You're like "Wow, that was easy for once!" But deep down you know, its because you fucked up.

 

[DesiPower]

Wow! Epic, "I am a brain dead Apple sucker" declaration thread.

The dimwit OP even put images and still didn't realize that's the possibility of getting it wrong is same. Do Apple products come covered with some kind of dust that just kills you brain cells... Apple zombies never fail to surprise me with new lows in common sense and basic human intelligence.

 

[PingSpike]

USB is fine, you know what sucks? IDE.

You force this motherfucker in wrong, you get bent pins. USB you can just try again.

Pin 1 towards power. I can't think of a time this rule wasn't true. You're still fucked on the motherboard side I will admit though.

The rule doesn't hold true on god damn floppy cables. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with those. I've had to toss cables that had a plugged pin in it because the wrong pin was plugged (or the floppy drive was wired backwards) or inserted them with the key backwards to get them to work. I'd have to assume it was the result of cheap as fuck drives that weren't exactly standard.

Anyway, the worst internal connector award goes to the one that is also the most common and has been with us since the first PC... the motherfucking 4 pin power supply connector. I've gashed my knuckles open more times getting those unplugged than anything else, and it still happens even when I use pliers. Every time I remove one I briefly consider just clipping the head off the connector and throwing the entire drive its attached to away. The 4-pin power connector demands a blood sacrifice before it will give up its grip on a device.

 

[PingSpike]

I fail to see how the firewire connector makes things all that much easier when you cant see (behind the computer).

Because of the sense of touch. Granted I don't have much experience with firewire devices, but the connector looks like if I ran my finger over it I'd know which way was which without being able to see it.

That is not true of usb!

 

[Aharami]

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

I hope it doesn't. because it needs to be backwards compatible. not being able to plug your USB2 devices into your USB3 ports will be an even bigger annoyance.


edit: looks like I guessed right

 

[Kirby]

rs232 4lyf

 

[Bill Brasky]

Because of the sense of touch. Granted I don't have much experience with firewire devices, but the connector looks like if I ran my finger over it I'd know which way was which without being able to see it.

That is not true of usb!

I can't believe that had to be explained. I used touch to determine firewire orientation for years, and then I finally bought a case with connectors on the front panel. Genius.

Never mind the fact that the smaller end is usually facing up on vertical connectors.

 

[0roo0roo]

Am I missing something? I've never encountered a USB that could be plugged in the wrong way...

its simply designed poorly when you gotta look at the plug even when its not behind the computer much of the time to just see which side is up. fumbling behind a computer trying to jam in a plug is just annoying.

 

[tk149]

80% of the time, it takes me THREE or FOUR tries to plug in a USB stick or cable. It's like there's a invisible gremlin sticking his thumb in the way. Fvck you, Mr. Gremlin!

 

[spidey07]

How you guys managed to plug in an S-Video cable without destroying things is beyond me.

 

[jadinolf]

I mean, I don't know about you all, but I like to keep my computer room/office/man cave in the dark/dimly lit. So I bend down to insert my Corsair Flash Voyager into one of the front USB ports on my PC and of course I have to fumble with the thing, rotating it around until it's positioned the right way, etc. And then it hits me: how many hours of my life have I wasted fumbling with USB devices (in the dark or otherwise) to go in properly? And then I wonder, what idiot thought of a plain rectangular design that must be inserted a specific way to work? I mean, it's a 50/50 chance you'll get it right the first time.

Whereas, the folks at Apple or where ever had the right idea with Firewire ports. It only fits one way. Duh.

Sorry, I think I've wanted to rant about USB for years.

WRONG:

Right:

Never thought of it but I agree!

 

[shortylickens]

Really?
Really?

You bumped this just to not say anything at all?

 

[alkemyst]

USB vs Firewire are really the same issue if you really have worked with both.

Once you know which way the firewire points or the tab on the USB sits on a computer it's easy to plug in your device.

The biggest issue is the inconsistancy of the labelling on the top or bottom of the 'plug' and the direction they face.

 

[jadinolf]

Really?
Really?

You bumped this just to not say anything at all?

I hope I haven't cost you a loss of sleep.

I assume it has.

Poor baby.

Sorry.

 

[shortylickens]

I hope I haven't cost you a loss of sleep.

I assume it has.

Poor baby.

Sorry.

You should be sorry.
I DEMAND ANALINGUS!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Wow, I actually agree with the OP 100%.

God trying to plug in your damn usb mouse and keyboards (and other USB devices) behind a computer without pulling the whole tower forward is an exercise in frustration.

One can just plan in advance and have a USB hub available on the desktop. Saves frustration

 

[sdifox]

or learn which way the plug goes by touch...

 

[MotF Bane]

You necro'd this thread for nothing? BAN!

 

[alkemyst]

or learn which way the plug goes by touch...

SRSLY...USB don't fit, flip 180. If you were putting it in sideways, sadly you are probably that guy getting in RAGE over pushing a door that says PULL until that little old lady at the register opens it for you.

 

[0roo0roo]

SRSLY...USB don't fit, flip 180. If you were putting it in sideways, sadly you are probably that guy getting in RAGE over pushing a door that says PULL until that little old lady at the register opens it for you.

well the shape and the fit mean that you can push in at certain angles and it won't go in readily either way, you are unsure of just how much force to use. this was especially bad with some dell desktops with hidden front usb slots under a cover that only lifted up slightly to allow access, literally they were up and inside the bottom front of the case, you had to plug in at an angle..blind.

while this is obviously a necro thread, it is also true that the design was very poor.

 

[brianmanahan]

well the shape and the fit mean that you can push in at certain angles and it won't go in readily either way, you are unsure of just how much force to use. this was especially bad with some dell desktops with hidden front usb slots under a cover that only lifted up slightly to allow access, literally they were up and inside the bottom front of the case, you had to plug in at an angle..blind.

while this is obviously a necro thread, it is also true that the design was very poor.

gah i had a computer like that, so hard to plugin

 

[alkemyst]

sadly dell's poor design made USB a topic. if firewire ports were in that model it would be fail too.

I had too support that one (GX620) and the thinner model (GX270/280)