3 ms·

Any examples? I can't really think of anything analog that's more reliable (or even as reliable) as digital...

• hansel_der 5y ago
  maybe because you cant remember anything analog at all? from top of my head some superior analog devices: * kitchen/body scale * oven * radio * light switch * thermostat granted, it's mostly not per se because they are digital but that their UI is now a touchscreen with input lag and without any tactile response.
  • bserge 5y ago
    Yeah, by digital I mean anything using electronics instead of mechanical tech. And I really can't remember any even though I grew up with them, weird huh. Digital scales are smaller, lighter, more reliable. Radios and thermostats, too (those bimetal plates analog ones use are pretty bad). Touch screens... I hate them but they're reliable, moreso than hardware buttons if not stressed beyond specs. I've never used digital light switches, analog are great. Ovens, yeah, I have a really old one that just won't die, I've worked on hundreds of them and it's always some electronics fault (high heat and poor cooling will kill a lot of components). Good examples, thanks. I will never miss carburetors and non-hydraulic clutches and brakes (shudder) though :D
    • selfhoster11 5y ago
      Digital scales have their quirks, and sometimes very poor UX. For mine, the calibrate button is placed in a way that makes it hard to depress without putting pressure on the top of the scale - which kind of defeats the point. An analog scale will not have such a quirk - there will be a single slider or knob that can be turned without affecting the system. Mechanical buttons: sure, if you're talking about those junky, flat momentary push-buttons then yeah - they will go out of service after a number of presses. But, a proper mechanical push-button or radio button, such as on old radios and on industrial machinery? Basically indestructible. They could likely last a century, and if they go bad, you can replace them because they are generally possible to service.