Fifteen Classic PC Design Mistakes

Harry writes "Once upon a time, it wasn't a given that PC owners should be able to format their own floppy disks. Or that ports should be standard, not proprietary. Or that it was a lousy idea to hardwire a PC's AC adapter, or to put the power supply in the printer so that a printer failure rendered the PC unusable, too. Over at Technologizer, Benj Edwards has taken a look at some of the worst design decisions from personal computing's early years — including ones involving famous flops such as the PCJr, obscure failures such as Mattel's Aquarius, and machines that succeeded despite flaws, like the first Mac. In most instances — but not all — their bad decisions taught the rest of the industry not to make the same errors again."

One classic web design mistake

[Quiet_Desperation]

Well... at least it wasn't spread out over 15 pages.

PCJr + Sid Mier = fun; Software owns Hardware

[mtyson]

First of all, we had a great time playing 7 cities of gold on the pcjr, so just back off. Second, the worst design decision ever is not hardware, its software: the path editing text box found on all windows systems.

The worst-designed case component...

[PotatoFiend]

has always been the cup holder. That shit always snaps under the strain of my 48-oz. coffee.

Re:The worst-designed case component...

[Critical Facilities]

Bah! You just have to spring for one of those "Dual Layer" Cold Drink/Refreshment Workspace (CD/RW) units. They hold up much better than the single layer ones.

Re:If we started again, today

[ducomputergeek]

Sounds more like the last generation G5 iMac.

This is a good opportunity for a new myth

[e9th]

It would go something like this:

Well sonny, I remember it was back in the '80s. There were these guys who loved their Apple IIIs so much that, despite its faults, they kept them running for years beyond their useful lifetimes. They did this by filling their offices with industrial-strength fans pointed at those Apple IIIs. Ever since then, we've called people who continue to support obviously flawed products "fanboys"

Re:So, the one-button mouse didn't make the list?

[Anonymous Coward]

Will you vacuumheads ever die? The Mac has supported multibutton mice at the OS level for many, many years. It's also provable with facts and figures that the one button mouse is better for beginners, something you computer zombies refuse to see because you think everyone on the planet should be some pasty, fat geek loser who knows more about BIOS tweaking than how to make a woman climax. As for the rest, no one gives a gnat's fart what you think about anything.

Re:If we started again, today

[spire3661]

Steve Jobs is that you???

Honestly your post sounds a bit short sighted. Why do we need uniquely identified machines? Why no user upgradeable parts? Why do you want everyone to have the Imac style?

Re: The 15 problems

[Amazing Quantum Man]

I have two DVD players that have a helpful little red LED that lets me know the device is off.

Seriously. When I turn the player on, the LED goes off.

Re:Worst Mistake That Still Needs Fixing

[Anonymous Coward]

one hand typing (while mousing)

Sure...'mousing' is what causes you to type with one hand.

Re:#1 failure...

[e4g4]

Slashdot Uber Tech Society

You mean SLUTS? Sorry - couldn't help myself...

Re:Worst Mistake That Still Needs Fixing

[AKAImBatman]

Derr... s/palatable/palpable/g. Though the original is kind of funny. :-P