Examples of technology 'thinking' going backwards . . .

thecraicaddict · 08-09-2016 08:44PM

Self service checkouts are a step backwards. Most annoying things around.

For Forks Sake · 08-09-2016 08:46PM

thecraicaddict wrote: »

Self service checkouts are a step backwards. Most annoying things around.

Unknown item in bagging area.

thecraicaddict · 08-09-2016 08:48PM

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Unknown item in bagging area.

I scanned a loaf of bread about a week ago, and the machine never picked up on it so it triggered that annoying voice when I put it on the left hand side. Next thing you know some angry polish woman comes over and starts accusing me of trying to steal off them.

08-09-2016 08:51PM

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Unknown item in bagging area.

Up there with 'STAND CLEAR, LUGGAGE DOORS OPERATE' in sounds that will haunt me for eternity

Atlantic Dawn · 08-09-2016 08:55PM

thecraicaddict wrote: »

Self service checkouts are a step backwards. Most annoying things around.

I can't understand why there isn't a conveyor belt style automatic checkout where you throw all your items on, they are scanned automatically via an airport style security scanner to scan the barcodes and you simply walk to the end and pay? Surely that's basic tech using all existing technologies?

Senna · 08-09-2016 08:59PM

Loads of things car related, it's not a development advancement that you have to remove the bumper just to change a light bulb in some cars.
What was once controlled by a wire is now thousands of electronic circuits that if broken require a laptop and usually a degree of luck to diagnose.

ShooterSF · 08-09-2016 09:03PM

Laika123 wrote: »

USB power bank?

Are ok, but it's still a step backwards. As now instead of having a dead battery in my pocket while I continue to play games/watch video/take photos on a night out, I have this thing dangling out of my phone using one battery to power another battery. It is way less convenient.

For Forks Sake · 08-09-2016 09:06PM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I can't understand why there isn't a conveyor belt style automatic checkout where you throw all your items on, they are scanned automatically via an airport style security scanner to scan the barcodes and you simply walk to the end and pay? Surely that's basic tech using all existing technologies?

Tesco have gone one better in South Korea and cut out the need for actual stock, or checkouts... http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/lbs-case-study/case-study-tesco-virtually-created-new-market-based-on-country-lifestyle/story/214998.html

LordSutch · 08-09-2016 09:08PM

Senna wrote: »

Loads of things car related, it's not a development advancement that you have to remove the bumper just to change a light bulb in some cars.

My Dad used to say that getting rid of the 'starting handle' was a real backward/retrograde step!

https://youtu.be/BjLiGqC_YsI

I guess it was a great feature if the car had a flat battery, no jump leads or donor battery needed, just a few turns of the handle & you were off .....

razorblunt · 08-09-2016 09:18PM

Some phones seem to be getting bigger and bigger, it's like walking around with a laptop in your pocket.

LordSutch · 08-09-2016 11:07PM

razorblunt wrote: »

Some phones seem to be getting bigger and bigger, it's like walking around with a laptop in your pocket.

You mean like getting back to the 1980s brick size mobiles, but thinner

)

Widdershins · 08-09-2016 11:23PM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

No spare wheels as standard in lots of new cars.
Cars with keyless ignition where the keys can be easily cloned and car stolen, what was so difficult about needing to put your much more secure key in to the ignition to start the car?
Phones with no FM radio.

Is it a card that you use instead of a key? Hate the idea of them

Widdershins · 08-09-2016 11:24PM

Senna wrote: »

Loads of things car related, it's not a development advancement that you have to remove the bumper just to change a light bulb in some cars.
What was once controlled by a wire is now thousands of electronic circuits that if broken require a laptop and usually a degree of luck to diagnose.

And some stupid sensor 'goes' and messes the whole thing up.

Permabear · 08-09-2016 11:26PM

This post has been deleted.

Tin Foil Hat · 08-09-2016 11:28PM

LordSutch wrote: »

I may not have explained myself properly in the title, but what I'm refering to is the likes of the missing headphone socket on the new iPhone = A backwards step?

I totally understand the (waterproof) bluetooth headphones idea behing the missing socket, but practically speaking surely a headphone socket is a very handy thing to have. Other examples might include no mudgards on new bicycles (rear mudgards used to protect your trousers/bum from getting soaked on a wet day), yet nowadays many new bikes have no mudgards!

Any other suggestions?

They used to be able to make appliances that lasted for decades. Now you can't buy a washing machine that will outlast some of the clothes that go into it.

B.A._Baracus · 08-09-2016 11:34PM

eman66 wrote: »

"Responsive" web sites.

How are responsive websites going backwards tho?
If you separate your website into two (that being a desktop version and mobile version) you will have to update content on both versions. More work.

Tin Foil Hat · 08-09-2016 11:35PM

Super thin TV's are my biggest bug-bear. You can make a good screen a centimetre thick, but you can't make a decent speaker that size. But it saves on production costs and sells sound bars, so I'm guessing we're stuck with them. :mad:

Atlantic Dawn · 08-09-2016 11:36PM

Widdershins wrote: »

Is it a card that you use instead of a key? Hate the idea of them

Yes it's a small fob or square plastic card, when you have it on your person the doors of the car open and the car starts by pressing a button.

B.A._Baracus · 08-09-2016 11:40PM

thecraicaddict wrote: »

Self service checkouts are a step backwards. Most annoying things around.

I am actually surprised Lidl or Aldi haven't adopted these yet. I mean we're talking about the German efficiency both companies incorporated which is mental. Such as having the products packaged in boxes that the top can be easily ripped off and plopped on the shelf. You'd think self-service would be right up their alley.

PopePalpatine · 08-09-2016 11:46PM

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Ugh, tell me about it. It was the one thing which put me off upgrading to Windows 10 on my laptop.

dasdog · 08-09-2016 11:47PM

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Not to mention performance, it's absolutely pathetic for applications that demand low latency. Layers of infrastructure in front of clusters of virtual machines likely sharing the same storage arrays. And when content and infrastructure has been handed over to a provider, I imagine migrating is difficult and expensive. It will eventually become the norm but its still dogfood in my view.

maudgonner · 08-09-2016 11:48PM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

How are responsive websites going backwards tho?
If you separate your website into two (that being a desktop version and mobile version) you will have to update content on both versions. More work.

I think that might have been a dig at one particular responsive website :pac:

Arcade_Tryer · 08-09-2016 11:50PM

Driver-less cars.

Utterly moronic.

endacl · 08-09-2016 11:55PM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I am actually surprised Lidl or Aldi haven't adopted these yet. I mean we're talking about the German efficiency both companies incorporated which is mental. Such as having the products packaged in boxes that the top can be easily ripped off and plopped on the shelf. You'd think self-service would be right up their alley.

The hold ups in Lidl and Aldi aren't down to the tills. The staff there are pretty quick. The delays are alway due to customers foostering around with handbags, purses and packing.

silverharp · 08-09-2016 11:55PM

not having the old busses where you could get on at the back, i miss those.

endacl · 09-09-2016 12:08AM

Tin Foil Hat wrote: »

They used to be able to make appliances that lasted for decades. Now you can't buy a washing machine that will outlast some of the clothes that go into it.

Damn then, and their making better clothes.

:mad:

rogue-entity · 09-09-2016 12:12AM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

How are responsive websites going backwards tho?
If you separate your website into two (that being a desktop version and mobile version) you will have to update content on both versions. More work.

It's not a website anymore it's a Javascript application that just happens to render within your browser, in the good old days Javascript was just for the fancy bells and whistles. Now if you get a page at all you find that menus and even buttons won't work.

It's also a security concern right along with Flash and Java Applets.

Peregrine · 09-09-2016 12:14AM

Laika123 wrote: »

Public Transport, in the 1890's all the trams in Dublin were electric, then they were done away with for fossil fuels, then we got the DART and LUAS, we did a full circle.

We didn't go full circle. The tram system in Dublin in 1900 was much more extensive and it was all tarmacked over. We're closer to a 180 turn than a full circle.

Tin Foil Hat · 09-09-2016 12:18AM

endacl wrote: »

Damn then, and their making better clothes.

:mad:

They don't make better clothes either.
For example, a friend of mine was recently replacing a washing machine. A Candy washing machine. The cheapest brand on the market. She'd had it for twelve years. She was told in no uncertain terms that her next machine wouldn't last that long, no matter how much she spent on it. Appliances are built to be disposable. It's bad for consumers pockets and a disaster for the environment. But it's great for the bottom line.

Peregrine · 09-09-2016 12:21AM

thecraicaddict wrote: »

Self service checkouts are a step backwards. Most annoying things around.

I love them. I haven't used a staffed till in Dunnes or Tesco in years. Or even in libraries.

Examples of technology 'thinking' going backwards . . .

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