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Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

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Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#581

Post by DonHopkins »

badtuple wrote: post #148

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack: https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synap... I went nomad earlier this year and decided I needed a good backpack. After much research, I landed on the Synapse. It's simply amazing that something as simple as "a bag" can be so well designed. So clearly better. It's the only product I've ever owned where I notice myself stop and admire it regularly.

All of Tom Bihn's bags are of the utmost highest quality, and they last for years. The inner seams are sealed with ribbon sewn over them so the edges of the fabric will never fray and tangle with your cables. So many other little touches like that.

They're so durable and timeless that I bet there are a lot of Bihn Bags out there from the George W Bush era whose washing instructions are once again relevant.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/washing-instructions-idi...

    Wash with warm water.
    Use mild soap.
    Do not use bleach.
    Do not dry in the dryer.
    Do not iron.
    We are sorry that our president is an idiot.
    We did not vote for him.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#582

Post by jay-saint »

onli wrote: post #420
i_don_t_know wrote: post #317

The ancient microwave in my first apartment. It had two knobs: one for time, one for power. It's immediately obvious how to cook something for how long, how to add more time, etc. All other microwaves that I've used I had to have someone explain to me what buttons to press in what order to do even the simplest things. And I've never seen anyone use all of those fancy buttons.

You can still buy those. They are the cheapest ones in the supermarket. At least where I live.

You can also buy commercial grade all stainless models that have single timer nob and one or two power option buttons. Amana makes the RCS10DSE.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#583

Post by LeifCarrotson »

monodeldiablo wrote: post #552

The VW Up! (aka Škoda Citigo aka Seat Mii) It weighs under a ton, is only 3.5m long, and has a 1.0L, 3-cylinder engine that fairly sips gas. It shifts like butter and, considering it's powered by a glorified sewing machine, it has decent acceleration and top-end speed. And, if you spring for the Czech rebadge, you can get the basic model for less than 10k euros. But the real killer is that it has almost as much usabl…

> I forgot to mention that it has exposed metal surfaces in the interior (doors, mainly) that are integrated parts of the car. Not only does it look fantastic, each of those panels is one less plastic piece that will eventually require an expensive replacement when it inevitably gets hit/scratched/exposed to too much sunlight/shakes itself to pieces.

> I don't know why more cars don't feature this (one review called them "cheap exposed surfaces", as if plastic is somehow fancier), but it's incredibly durable, simple, and attractive.

I rode in a Nissan Tsuru taxi in Mexico. While the car's appalling safety record is definitely undesirable, I was impressed by the same idea of simplicity. It striped away pointless trim and features that will break, and was simply a tool to get you dependably from one place to another. It seemed like the sort of vehicle that could be maintained with an adjustable wrench and screwdriver for a million miles.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#584

Post by rkangel »

baby wrote: post #538
rkangel wrote: post #364

Google 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.

I watch all of my TV through it.

I buy box sets from Amazon Video and watch them (which has to be laptop). My girlfriend watches a lot of BBC iPlayer, we both watch Netflix. On occasion I'll download something and it'll happily stream from my phone (Localcast) or laptop (Videostream).

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#586

Post by CInk_Ibrahim »

patmcguire wrote: post #254

Google Reader. It actually let me add feeds, read them, and mark them read reliably. Everything after is focused on value-add instead of just fucking working.

If you are using mac, try reeder(http://reederapp.com/mac/). It syncs with a lot of online rss readers (I use feedly and instapaper). But where it shines is its UX. It does what you need without any fluff and does it elegantly. All essential parts are there without showing million buttons. Keyboard shortcuts also work perfectly. It is the only app that I didn't feel any need to change settings after the first time.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#587

Post by DonHopkins »

delegate wrote: post #428
mdip wrote: post #362

Earlier 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?…

Obviously whoever designed it didn't get the 'good' acid. Had he gotten the real shit, it would have been a musical instrument... with wheels, which also microwaves... inside and outside... Because that's how you get to the aliens. Who wouldn't want his oven to roll around the house improvising some trippy music while the meal is being heated ? While at it, why not also vacuum clean the house ? Just hit the knob a ma…

If you happen to run across some really good acid, of even if you're feeling sober and playful, try putting a York Peppermint Patty in the microwave until the alien hatches.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#588

Post by secfirstmd »

simonpantzare wrote: post #578
bungle wrote: post #504

Fiskars Axes: http://www.fiskars.eu/products/gardening/axes/splitting-axe-... Barbour Jackets: http://www.barbour.com/eu/categories/mens/waxed-jackets/barb... Camper Shoes: https://www.camper.com/en_FI/men/shoes/peu/camper-peu-17665-... Stihl Chainsaws: http://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great-range/Chainsa... Genelec Speakers: http://www.genelec.com/8351 Desktops: Mac Pro 1st Generation Laptops: Macbook Pro Ph…

Speaking of axes. I can vouch for Gränsfors bruk ( https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/ ). I grew up in the same, small village and until recently I didn't know that they were known internationally for their craftwork. They are one of few businesses that still thrive in the region, supposedly because they stuck to producing quality goods instead of like most other businesses, switch to mass-production. The masters (it t…

Best boot on the world for varied, highly intense outdoor work is the Meindl Army Gore Pro Boot.

If you take care of them they seem to last forever. Mine have survived over 14 years of infantry exercises and still survive.

http://www.meindl.co.uk/products/army-pro

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#589

Post by vlehto »

bungle wrote: post #504

Fiskars Axes: http://www.fiskars.eu/products/gardening/axes/splitting-axe-... Barbour Jackets: http://www.barbour.com/eu/categories/mens/waxed-jackets/barb... Camper Shoes: https://www.camper.com/en_FI/men/shoes/peu/camper-peu-17665-... Stihl Chainsaws: http://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great-range/Chainsa... Genelec Speakers: http://www.genelec.com/8351 Desktops: Mac Pro 1st Generation Laptops: Macbook Pro Ph…

I'm Finn, coming from the land of Fiskars and axes. And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are serious backpacker, craftsman, carpenter etc, you wan't to use your axe in different ways too. The biggest "chopping" axe from fiskars is too short for building a fire that would keep you warm for the whole night. All of their "splitting" models have unnecessarily heavy head which you don't want to haul while backpacking. And the vedge thing in splitting models mean that it's very tricky to sharpen poles that you could strike to ground for a tent. And you can't use the axe as a hammer or you lose that sweet 25 year guarantee. And you can't swap the handle of a chopping axe for a longer one.

It's very good tool for one spesific job. There are axes that are good for range of jobs.

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