Sweet Tweets

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Why not this way?

Every now and then there are moments and incidents that cause me to wonder, why did someone choose to make it work this way? Most of these questions in my mind seem to center around the women's restroom. There are a few others though...

1. Why do bathroom stall doors open inward? Why would anyone think that it's a good idea for you to have to back up against the toilet in order to the open the door and walk around it? Didn't I just try to avoid touching that thing? This is the worst in small stalls.

2. Why is there no delay button for printing on my computer? I work in an office where the printer is a few cubes away. I often have to print various labels, or on letterhead, etc. where I have to insert special paper instead of what's already in there. Being somewhat lazy in that I don't want to have to make an extra trip to the printer (I would like to think of this as choosing to be efficient with my time rather than lazy), I will stand up, get in a runner's stance, hit the print button and race around the corner to yank open the paper tray to halt printing, insert what I need and will have only made one trip. This is a science, since running into a coworker, high heels and not getting off the starting line right when I click the button will throw me off and it will print incorrectly. Why not have an optional delay of 5-10 seconds that will allow for my trip to change out the paper? I think Apple should seriously consider this.

3. Why is the snooze button so easy to find and hit? Since I tend to hit it several times and ending up getting up too late, my bad habit would be helped by the snooze button being a bit more difficult to locate, forcing me to consciousness at the right time. I do think one company has addressed this problem in Clocky, the alarm that runs away. Awesome.

I'm sure there are many others...I just can't think of them right now. If only someone would invent a small, compact device where I could type in my thoughts that occur at random times to reference later. If only.

5 Remarks:

mckennah said...

since you have a lap top why not take it with you to the printer, change the paper and hit print?

just wonderin'

erin

Melissa said...

HA! I have, but when I have to print from our database, it disconnects when I unplug it and take it over there. :)

Jerry said...

1) Bathroom stalls open inward because people would get upset if they were walking by and suddenly a door swung out into their face causing a broken nose.

2) I agree with the print delay.

3) My dogs would attack that alarm as soon as it took off if I had one.

Anonymous said...

1. It works to reduce the required size of a bathroom, and it helps the function of the space.

2. Life is about decisive action and preparation. You should be prepared for your course of action with the printer.

3. It is called a snooze button and not a wake up or get out of bed button. It allows you to snooze for a few more minutes, otherwise it would be a wide awake button if it took you 5 minutes to put your hands on it to turn it off.

If you have anything else you want me to clear up just let me know.

Take care,
BJ

Melissa said...

BJ,

You are a wealth of information!

The function of the space is seriously impeded when the little trash bin is placed at the opening of the stall door instead of behind it. Then I'm squeezing behind the door, avoiding the trash bin, avoiding the toilet seat. All in the name of economy of space. Bah.


I will keep a pair of sneakers at my desk just for printing tasks.

I need a wake up now button and not a snooze button. It is only enabling my addiction to sleeping in.

If I think of something else, I will be sure to let you know. :)