4 ms·
Come on, it's right there in section 6.5.1 of the specification which you'd know if you searched the web, downloaded 11MB of data, unzipped it and sorted throug
by jws 16y ago
Come on, it's right there in section 6.5.1 of the specification which you'd know if you searched the web, downloaded 11MB of data, unzipped it and sorted through it for the "Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0", then read all 622 pages of that.
6.5.1 USB Icon Location
The USB Icon is embossed, in a recessed area, on the topside of the USB plug. This provides easy user recognition and facilitates alignment during the mating process.
And from this I learn that all my Apple keyboards and mice are non-compliant devices since their marks are painted on rather than embossed into the connector. I'll have to replace them.
- marshray 16y ago"First we're gonna recess 'em, then we're gonna emboss 'em, then we're gonna mate 'em!" Designers should look to nature. Nature has certainly created some wonderful symmetries, but a symmetry which would impose hidden and unnecessary constraints on alignment during the mating process is not one of them!
- jarek 16y agoThis is probably the only chance I will ever get to link a page containing the words "duck penis" on HN, and you bet I will take it: http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/2010/01/friday_weird_science_duck_duck.php http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/2010/01/friday_weird_scie...
- dholowiski 16y agoIn all seriousness, the USB Spec is an interesting read (I used to keep a printout of it on my desk for reference). I've pored over the physical specifications more times than I can count - it's amazing how much thought was put into this connector.
- eftpotrm 16y agoAnd we wonder why the rest of the world think us IT people are a bit strange :-) Never read that but pored over enough other arcane material in my time.
- pyre 16y agoI wonder how much different things would be if a peer-2-peer protocol like IEEE1394 won out against USB and it's client-server model of bus communication.
- slowpoison 16y agoThe Microsoft keyboard and mouse I have, not only have the USB symbol embossed, they also sport a raised dot to help identify the correct side. Wish more manufacturers did that. On the other hand, PC manufacturers have defeated that purpose by creating vertically aligned USB ports. Which side is the right side now? Just goes to say that intelligent specs are not enough. You can't hand a brilliant spec to a monkey and expect good implementation.
- pyre 16y agoWhat is a 'vertically aligned USB port?' For that matter, what side of a computer is 'up?' Nothing is stopping anyone from re-orienting their computer in from the way that the manufacturer intended. Not to mention computer cases that are designed to be able to sit both ways. I think that the take-away here is that you don't design a connector that depends on the orientation of the device.
- Natsu 16y agoI have a pretty good idea what he means because my computer is like that. My tower has all the USB ports set up so the long side is vertical. The tower is definitely not made to be laid on its side. I've cursed in frustration more than once because I couldn't see the place I was trying to plug a USB cable very well and I spent far too long reaching in uncomfortable ways trying to figure out which way the damned cable would go in there without breaking things. The worst is that a USB cable will sort of fit into an Ethernet port. The built-in Ethernet ports are right next to the USB ports. Lovely, no?
- thwarted 16y agoCome on, it's right there in section 6.5.1 of the specification which you'd know if you searched the web, downloaded 11MB of data, unzipped it and sorted through it for the "Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0", then read all 622 pages of that. "...You hadn't exactly gone out of your way to call attention to them had you? I mean like actually telling anyone or anything." "But the plans were on display..." "On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them." "That's the display department." "With a torch." "Ah, well the lights had probably gone." "So had the stairs." "But look you found the notice didn't you?" "Yes," said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of The Leopard'."
- JoeAltmaier 16y agoSo, how do you identify the hole orientation? Does it have a mark too? What possible use is identifying the plug orientation without that? USB plugs are a giant step backward.
- pavel_lishin 16y agoWhen I'm mating, USB is generally not involved.