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Posted on 27/03/23 3:49:14 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply  |
Form over Function. A wee moan.
A little moan .......... Why is Apple so ashamed of the humble On/Off switch? For as long as I can remember Apple has done it's best to disguise or hide the On/Off switch. Initially it was simply placed flush with the surrounding surface and with the same finish, so as to partially camouflage it. Not content with this, however, they then moved it to the back of the display so one had to reach underneath the bottom of the display and feel for it. That was silly and unnecessary but manageable. Now on the new studio they have taken this to new heights of silliness. The flush switch is on the rear, not of the screen, but of the computer itself! 
A switch on the back of the display is within easy reach (unless you are very long sighted) but the back of the computer may not be. Because of all the unsightly cables at the rear it is usual to push it right to the back of the desk which, if the desk is deep, may be quite a lot further away and harder to reach. Even worse is that it obliges me to keep the machine in the open on the desktop. I would love to tuck it away discretely on a shelf below my desk but I can't because it becomes completely impractical to reach in behind it unless I have long chimpanzee arms! So it sits there, unwanted and unneeded, using up otherwise useful desktop space. 
Does Apple really think that this plain aluminium box is an object of such utter desirability and beauty that we actually want it there. At best that's very silly .... at worst rather arrogant. Is it just me, or is this is form over function taken to unneeded extremes? Or am I just a miserable old curmudgeon? _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 21/04/23 08:33:27 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7010 Reply  |
Re: Form over Function. A wee moan.
Well, yes. But then how often do you want to turn your computer off? I don't think I ever do. |
Posted on 21/04/23 10:43:47 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply |
Re: Form over Function. A wee moan.
Mine gets turned of nights and when I am away for protracted periods. The reason for this is mainly all the powered peripherals. Everything is together on a master switch to keep life simple. I suppose I could arrange things so the Studio itself is independent and leave it on. But it's still a silly place to put the switch and an easily accessible one would help. What on earth is wrong with putting it on the front where most equipment and appliances put them? I still feel this is excessive form over function. I know Apple prides itself on its design but there is a difference between pride and hubris. Seems I am just a miserable old curmudgeon ........... _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 21/04/23 11:17:27 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7010 Reply |
Re: Form over Function. A wee moan.
No, not a miserable curmudgeon. And I agree with you. It’s a stupid place for the switch. |
Posted on 21/04/23 11:53:44 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply |
Re: Form over Function. A wee moan.
Mind you it's not alone poor thing. On my iMac the camera memory card slot, which got a lot of use, was on the back of the monitor where you had to fumble around for it. Practically guaranteed marks and scratches. Go figure ...... _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |