271 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
271 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
%% title = "touch panels"
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% id = "01JE246DXAKY4V4S49576JG0P9"
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- 2024\. it seems like you can't go on without devices that have capacitive touch panels.
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% id = "01JE246DXAJJ4N592H9K2FG0FQ"
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- _obviously_ my smartphone has one.
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% id = "01JE246DXAC6GYHV1GVW9G30X6"
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- but also my oven has one,
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% id = "01JE246DXADZKF1TMTWX2JA667"
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- my induction stove has one,
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% id = "01JE246DXAVY22EBMMBJKGA32C"
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- the dishwasher at my parents' house has one, and _their_ oven as well,
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% id = "01JE246DXACY732S6465M6ZBYR"
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- my headphones have one too!
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% id = "01JE246DXAW2YPBFB4083RW06E"
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- but is that good?
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% id = "01JE246DXAE6EFPASVXYZRRPNG"
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- touch panels definitely look very elegant on pictures---no ugly buttons protruding out of your appliance, how slick is that!
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% id = "01JE246DXANGVXZ4XFCV1N67ZC"
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- but I find that touch panels are UX _hell_ on every single appliance I use them.
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% id = "01JE246DXAX25V3F2030WDSXAX"
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- not my smartphone, because it also has a _display_.
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paired with a display, and set of responsive gestures, a touch panel can be quite good!
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% id = "01JE246DXAG7EHW4V0QWFKEE1G"
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- so let's look at some of those touch panels that give me nightmares.
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% id = "01JE246DXAPSKNZQ0FYSB7CD6D"
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- ### The Oven
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% id = "01JE246DXAFYX4TT9DVE1BK5QC"
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- my oven has a touch panel for operating the timer.
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a very useful thing to have in a kitchen!
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% id = "01JE246DXAGDGH6ASA4RZ6F7SJ"
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+ I use the oven timer _all the time_ while cooking, because pulling out my smartphone every single time I want to count down time is kind of a pain in the butt.
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% id = "01JE246DXAV99HZBXSZRDTT887"
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- I also have my smartphone timer set to vibration only.
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wouldn't want to annoy people with my loud WAH, WAH, WAH alarm sound every time my tea's finished brewing.
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% id = "01JE246DXA0461801FNEGXTE3R"
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- the UI makes me go insane though.
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say you want to set a timer for one minute---how do you approach this?
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![close-up of the oven in my kitchen. from the left: there's a function knob, the timer panel, and a temperature knob. the timer panel is a touch panel with five buttons, labelled with icons representing heat, a clock, a key, a minus, and a plus. the hour is 21:15.][pic:01JE731MZBPQFATV2XWQ8WDSK9]{title="please excuse how dirty my oven is. I don't compulsively clean my kitchen appliances"}
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% id = "01JE246DXATB6YY2N46MMMCVVK"
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- a sane person would push the `+` button and hold it down until the timer says `1:00`.
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congratulations, your timer is set!
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% id = "01JE246DXA2J69S44PRKB8CF4Z"
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- but since I'm typing this, you know this is most definitely not how Bosch decided to do things in this oven.
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% id = "01JE246DXAETP3Z6G2K31QD1XG"
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- instead of something obvious, here's what happens:
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% id = "01JE246DXAZ1DC9PCCX2ESRCVZ"
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- _when the time left is `0:00` (or when the timer's unset)_, pushing `+` sets the timer to `10:00`, _but_ you can also push `-` to set the timer to `5:00`.
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% id = "01JE246DXAX6G0APW3DMEYGY7D"
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+ maybe saves you a bit of time for oven things... but not very useful as a general kitchen timer! what if you're brewing tea (1--3 minutes)? boiling eggs (apparently 6 minutes)?
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% id = "01JE246DXAM2EV3SMRKB9TN3PS"
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- I don't really eat boiled eggs, so I don't know how long to boil them.
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6 minutes is the first thing that came up online ---w---
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% id = "01JE246DXAJ31K3XZ623SPNP15"
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- _when the timer is anything but `0:00`_, pushing the button adds one _second_, holding it for a couple seconds starts increasing the time in an accelerating manner, starting with 10 second increments, then 20 seconds.
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I never push for long enough to notice it going any faster, so let's pretend these are the only two increments that matter.
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% id = "01JE246DXADX2TBXNK7488NDZ8"
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- okay so when is the last time you needed single-second precision on a kitchen timer.
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% id = "01JE246DXA13DS8VSC73B64RYN"
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+ at best I need 30 seconds, but that is still very sporadic...
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% id = "01JE246DXAQKRC5Q0SD0HTSTAP"
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- [sencha][] leaves can be infused up to about three times before the taste starts to diminish.
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my first brew is 1 minute, the second is 1 minute 30 seconds, and the third is 2 minutes.
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this is the only time I ever need half-minute precision in cooking.
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I bet replacing the 1min 30s step with 2min would be just fine.
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[sencha]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sencha
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% id = "01JE246DXA1P83GTYCSF39CZG5"
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- _even when you wished_ for single-second precision, it is still effectively useless, because it's hard to predict the delay until the timer starts counting after your input!
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% id = "01JE246DXA5FVV46M9YJY5MQSM"
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+ this makes it impossible to get the desired time by tapping the `+` button multiple times, because I'm not gonna tap it _180 separate times_ to get _two minutes_!
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% id = "01JE246DXA4D8M4GTDWPTQHKMK"
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- (yes, 180---remember we have to count down [from 5 minutes][branch:01JE246DXAZ1DC9PCCX2ESRCVZ]...)
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% id = "01JE27CBDAVFSKJ8ZZ3ZJCGHTR"
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- even if the increments weren't so annoying, tapping a touch panel is much more annoying than pushing a button.
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not to mention the accessibility problems---think about blind people, who literally cannot _see or feel_ any of the buttons on the panel!
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% id = "01JE27CBDA0Q9617GNFXVGYAQX"
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- in the case of an oven timer, I think the right way to go about adjusting it would be a rotary encoder---turn the knob to set the time, push it to start the countdown or cancel the alarm.
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% id = "01JE27CBDASZQD5HK8S9AVDXWQ"
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- yes, it protrudes out the front, but you don't have to make it protrude much! 1cm would be enough and still look aesthetically pleasing.
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% id = "01JE27CBDA365KHC6B08Q2J4QK"
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- this is really funny because this Bosch oven _does_ have two knobs that protrude out the front---one for function, the other one for temperature.
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imagine if it had one knob for function and temperature, and the other one for controlling the timer.
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how nice would that be!
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% id = "01JE246DXAQMTVV0EXTF240VVZ"
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- ### The Induction Stove
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% id = "01JE27CBDA0MD77EJEYJ133HKN"
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- upon first sight, nothing out of the ordinary---it even has very good and _fairly obvious_ UX!
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![close-up of an induction stove's touch panel. there's a power button, buttons for controlling each of the four burners' power levels, a lock button, and a "stop + go" button.][pic:01JE731N7MER1CMBPGJXN99C9P]{title="I should definitely wipe all the grease off of it though..."}
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% id = "01JE74T4AJFCWNPJK660C977PV"
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- the `-` and `+` buttons adjust the power levels of each burner.
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the first level is `◡`, then `1` through `9`, and then `P`.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAPV6EV6YF9W034ZFY"
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- I don't know what `◡` or `P` are supposed to mean, but from what I've tried the `◡` is probably very low power simmering mode, and `P` probably stands for [_pożar_](https://www.diki.pl/slownik-angielskiego?q=po%C5%BCar&locale=en_GB), because it has one hell of a power kick to it.
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boils water almost as fast as an electric kettle!
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% id = "01JE27CBDA41PCC2FYE0AE6RDM"
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- unlike the stupid ass oven timer, the power levels increase in a linear fashion, which makes them nice and predictable.
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% id = "01JE27CBDA64DW71JSZ6F1WY57"
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- real buttons would have made the process a little less _slow_ though.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAMPET9ZR976S3N8XG"
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- the annoying part is that the touch panel is _capacitive_.
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meaning that drops of water---or heck, _any_ wet things---tend to activate the panel, which causes it to turn off, especially when you _really_ don't want it to!
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% id = "01JE27CBDACQACZHDYWR91KQCH"
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- I've had _numerous_ cases where my veggies stopped frying because the I placed a wet chopping board on the panel.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAXVM6ZAYA6Z28AJAC"
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- in theory there's a _lock_ mode, which prevents making any adjustments---but it's really annoying to get into and get out of.
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pushing the button down, and _then_ having to push down the `-` button to turn down the power can take long enough to make a difference between well done and [congratulation][pic:01JE281R9XT4VTR0DRENXSBPYS].
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% id = "01JE27CBDAWT5RBPVCHWTR30CA"
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- now this one I totally get why it _should_ be a touch panel---which doesn't make it any less annoying, but yeah.
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% id = "01JE27CBDA8X2FW6CG59WNJXQM"
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- UX-wise it's much better to be able to place your cutting board on any part of the surface, _provided it's dry of course_, than having to avoid any buttons annoyingly protruding out its top.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAWK6A4H9795NJP7YE"
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- granted this could be solved with a separate device you could install elsewhere---like I dunno, to the right of the stove, but that is more expensive and takes up kitchen counter real estate---which is at a premium in small kitchens, like the one in my apartment.
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% id = "01JE246DXA4CRQTCZFC8JDNY0C"
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- ### The Dishwasher
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% id = "01JE27CBDAJ2MMR22A5BBRP53E"
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- I don't currently have pictures of this one so you'll have to take my word for it.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAJNPEKG39Z1KN9C1F"
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- a while ago my parents replaced their dishwasher, as the old one had broken down, and the new one has a touch panel.
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not sure if it's capacitive or resistive---probably the latter because, like, _water_---but it's a very good touch panel either way.
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quite intuitive to use, and even makes use of sliding gestures, rather than being just a stupid "modern" way of implementing push buttons!
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% id = "01JE27CBDASYXTDWW97P4795KA"
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- the problem with it is... my grandma.
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she is quite senile, and she absolutely _does not_ understand how the heck touch panels are supposed to work---not surprising considering _there's nothing tactile to press_, and her sight is degraded quite badly to be able to read all the icons and text.
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% id = "01JE27CBDA07Q6WCFS9QRSCCY9"
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+ same thing with the oven there, by the way.
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though I'm not gonna complain about its panel, because I find the interface a lot more usable than the Bosch.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAKG5NS1KK0C27CBTN"
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- the acceleration on the `+` and `-` buttons is a little too fast for my liking, but eh.
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at least it increments in minutes, so I can tap the buttons to get a precise value if I feel like it.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAZMJFS3TVP1NHF2G7"
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- you have to understand here: my grandma did not _choose_ to buy an appliance with a touch panel---my parents did it, probably because the price was reasonable (I do not come from a wealthy family.) she just happens to live with my parents and had no control over the choice.
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% id = "01JE27CBDA548CFS47QFN7H068"
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- I believe those were fine choices given the budget, but it saddens me to see her struggle with silencing the oven timer when it goes off.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAFRWSDTTKZRY071N0"
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- she used to be able to operate the old dishwasher, but cannot operate the new one.
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% id = "01JE27CBDAJS8SP2CN13VKP114"
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- I'm throwing this in as a note that touch panels pose a _serious_ accessibility problem---if you are designing an electric appliance, please, _please_ consider the fact that your device _may_ be used by people unable to use a touch panel, which requires having good sight.
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% id = "01JE246DXA6V2AKWEJG3SWQ46V"
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- ### The Headphones
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% id = "01JE27CBDBMNQ3RJKWZXNBMNGK"
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- this is the one that pisses me off the most, because my headphones are probably the device I use _the most_ throughout the day out of this entire list.
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% id = "01JE27CBDBEVFRP4SQQ2EDAX9T"
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- I have a pair of [Sony WH-1000XM5][wh1000xm5], and while the sound is very good, and the ANC is stellar, I absolutely _hate_ their capacitive touch panel interface.
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[wh1000xm5]: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/wh1000xm5-b
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% id = "01JE27CBDB1FEHY0TYF0HTE14R"
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- thing is that unlike in an oven, which stays in place and you can _see_ what you're doing---headphones are _mounted on your head_.
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_they move with you_, and they _stay out of your viewport_.
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% id = "01JE27CBDBAC3ECKYXBCKXH0TA"
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- this means you have no frame of reference for where and how you're touching.
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pair this with touch gestures that rely on swipe _direction_, and you've got a concoction of bad UX brewing real quick there.
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careful or it'll boil over! (oops it just did ---w---)
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% id = "01JE27CBDBW1BY067GKJX0YGK1"
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+ another thing is that _this touch panel is capacitive_.
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now, your average straight white male (i.e.: probably the designer that worked on these) wears short hair, but uh...
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unfortunately, I am not straight but curvy, _thankyouverymuch_, and I wear long hair. (unlike me, it is not curvy.)
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% id = "01JE27CBDBKBMNNZFAEEY6XMTA"
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+ guess you could call me somewhat of a femboy.
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in fact, random people on the street have confused me for a woman many times.
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huh.
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% id = "01JE27CBDBBW88753JJ78F64HF"
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- though I don't really like the label of "femboy" because it's commonly associated with crossdressing.
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which I _don't_ do---{-yet-}---but I do definitely have some feminine traits in myself, so I guess it's only natural to call me one.
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% id = "01JE27CBDB83X046C4F3KFB3AB"
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- hair is something you have to maintain, especially the longer it gets.
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that maintenance means washing it at least once every two days
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(which is a frequency that sits firmly on the _bare minimum maintenance_ but _still looks somewhat presentable_ side)
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and washing your hair means it becomes _wet_ and has to dry.
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% id = "01JE27CBDBM68W9GYCV17TW5EJ"
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- [I dunno about you but I'm getting a strange sense of déja vu.][branch:01JE27CBDACQACZHDYWR91KQCH]
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% id = "01JE287QG8HZB15B272V2BS19M"
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- I've had numerous cases now where my wet hair triggered the touch panel by simply _being_, which is honestly even more infuriating than the chopping-board-on-induction-stove thing.
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because, you know, I generally place my wet chopping boards on the stove deliberately, _knowing_ they will probably fuck up my cooking, but _wishing_ it will somehow work this time, out of laziness and time pressure.
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% id = "01JE287QG8KNVFPYZ8QMBR49XP"
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- at least Sony was clever enough to require a sliding or double-tapping action to do anything with this interface, so I usually just end up hearing the little _\*pem\*_ feedback sound and nothing else happens, but I don't like that it interrupts my music.
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% id = "01JE287QG831BBMN3GH663JXTT"
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- also I doubt this is a multitouch panel.
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I wonder just how many times that has caused me to accidentally skip tracks instead of changing the volume.
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yesterday (well, just a couple hours ago really) I did that _once_.
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with wet hair.
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% id = "01JE75FSD9JQSSXS8FH912EDB0"
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- and for the curious.
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I don't use a blow dryer because: a) I don't have one, b) it makes it easy to dry out your hair excessively, which can cause damage, c) I don't really mind waiting.
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% id = "01JE287QG8KFP5XM3SDSNXNQ4A"
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- I guess that concludes it for now.
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I don't really like touch panels.
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is there anything more to say?
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% id = "01JE287QG8H13ZYHVYVM2TRDFC"
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- I really wish designers stopped shoving them where they _really_ do not make the experience any better.
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% id = "01JE287QG8JNY4J2KYYKY402YQ"
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- _focus on the user experience, not the looks, because that's what matters in the end._
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