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Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 12:38 pm
by Greg

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:24 pm
by dragoncar
I'm really surprised they can get the ul listed. It's a pretty dangerous design

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 6:28 pm
by Tyler
I'm of two minds on this. 

As an engineer, I find the electrical connection method novel and interesting.  That said, I think this pretty much encapsulates one of the things I hate about Kickstarter.  It's a clever solution to a non-problem.

USB chargers built into a wall socket are already extremely common.  My local Home Depot carries at least eight varieties in-store.  The only difference between this one and the sea of other options (other than the unnecessary size and inferior port count) is that it infantilizes DIY to the point where you no longer have to unscrew scary wires with the same screwdriver required to remove the wall plate.  Something a 2-minute youtube video could teach even the most rookie installer. 

It saddens me sometimes that so much time and energy is wasted creating and marketing products that solely exist to eliminate thinking and learning.  But maybe I'm just wired differently.

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 8:12 pm
by Mountaineer
Tyler wrote: But maybe I'm just wired differently.
Good one for the topic!!  Just punderful.  ;D

... Mountaineer

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:12 pm
by Tyler
Ha!  Is there a good term for an accidental pun?  Like a Freudian Pun? 

BTW, now that I've had a Snickers I'm feeling less grumpy and really do find the original charger concept kinda cool.  Not necessarily cool enough to buy one over other options, but definitely enough to not be such a killjoy.  ;)

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:31 pm
by dualstow
Tyler wrote: Ha!  Is there a good term for an accidental pun?  Like a Freudian Pun? 

BTW, now that I've had a Snickers I'm feeling less grumpy ...
I've learned that Snickers solves most of my emotional issues.

I don't know if there's a word for these accidental puns, but my mother creates them so often that we should publish a book. My favorite one is about a cousin's go-kart business that "went downhill." She insists it was completely accidental, but it's brilliant.

Re: Since it seems we always need more USB ports: Kickstarter

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:05 am
by gizmo_rat
Captain DIY in the video seemed a little over equipped to be changing a wall socket, my better half's mother used to perform the same operation with just a pair of scissors (shudder).