Commodore 64.
May just be a bit of nostalgia speaking, but the things that little machine could be made to do... wow.
Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
531–540 of 1001 posts
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#532The Logitech M235 wireless mouse.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#533Another odd one, but my Honda Fit 2nd Generation. So many things about that car are so well thought-out, and even more expensive/luxurious cars miss things that the Fit designers included. Some examples: - Cup holder on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. As a left-handed person, this is amazing. - Window power remains on after turning off the car as long as doors haven't been opened, allowing you to clo…
Any idea how the 3rd generation compares?
car and driver was convinced that a lot of the performing characteristics that made the 2nd gen a fun economy car have been messed up but as an appliance car it's still extremely practical
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#534It took me about a second to think of Dixon Ticonderoga pencils. These are the perfect nexus of good and cheap. These things have the critical features one looks for in a writing instrument, my favorite of which is that I can put it in my electric pencil sharpener and the lead never snaps just prior to the point at which it becomes sharp. And these guys finally figured out something useful to do with that pink, rubbe…
I've never seen someone that excited about pencils. Might this be satire? ;)
Anecdotally, I share GPs frustration and excitement about erasers.
It's pretty neat when they actually work well, which never seems to happen with most pencil erasers.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#535Bamboo steamers. First one I found: https://www.amazon.com/2017-Reusable-Chopsticks-Perforated-S...
They usually are dirt cheap, and allow you to steam any kind of food. It's healthy, it's tasty, it's easy, it's fast, ... Just drop whatever in it and wait 15 minutes and that's it.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#536Earlier quoted context omitted.
Completely agree! The funny thing is the first thing I thought of was an old microwave I owned with a similar setup mainly because the microwave I own, today, is so awful [0]. I have a GE combination convection oven/microwave and it was clearly designed by someone who had their first experience with LSD that day. Every function requires a different, magic, set of key combinations to make it work. Want to set a timer?…
Holy christ. Horrifying. I can't understand how microwaves are all so bad. Where are the good ones? Isn't it less work to make a simpler (better) interface than the baroque ones we end up with?
Honestly the cheaper ones are just fine. As you add more features, you add more complexity. Mine was like $50 and the interface is great. If you want to set the power, mash that key a few times until it gets to the desired level. Then press Start to go for 30 seconds, keep pressing Start to add 30 seconds to the running timer. If you need a specific time, you can type that in with the number keys, but I almost never do that. That's it. It's a microwave. Fifty bucks. Bought it at Macy's. Cool.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#537* Blendtec Blender - blew my first pay cheque on one nearly 10 years ago and it still looks and works good as new. Absolutely superb design and construction. * AGA Oven - I don't own one, but my parents do and growing up this thing was just incredible. Still looks and works like new. I honestly have never used an oven which looks and cooks so damn good. * Apple (Unibody) Macbook Pro - Despite my present feelings towa…
I run a g6 dl160 (SmartOS) and g6 dl180 (Freenas) at my house. Both from eBay for a total of $800.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#538Google Chromecast Takes a quite complicated set of things going on (control signals from phone, data signals from internet), and turns them into a seamless intuitive experience. I find the initial setup process particularly excellent. Getting a device with no user input onto a wifi network would normally be a nightmare, but the magic they do with setting up a temporary access point on the device is excellent.
I find myself never using them other than to watch youtube. What do people use it for?
Why can't I buy something to just stream my screen? Like the steam link but for everything. Not just steam.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#539MSR WhisperLite International Backpacking Stove. It supports a wide variety of liquid fuel. With this stove, I don't have to buy vendor-specific gas canisters. White gas works great with it. The stove folds down to a compact form. It is easy to use. https://www.rei.com/product/830341/msr-whisperlite-internati...
Have one as well. There's something primordially symbolic about having this rugged and compact device able to so easily create a safe flame from most practically available liquid and gas fuels.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#540Almost every bicycle. Our noblest invention.
Specifically: my Xtracycle Edgerunner. Beatiful, handles like a normal bicycle but carries my wife and kids and/or groceries like a truck. I'd marry it if I were available.