5 ms·

Windows 3.1 Style Clock

40 points by Bondi_Blue 3y ago

crooked-v 3y ago
I'd like it more if it was just the clock window, without all the surrounding stuff.
- SuperNinKenDo 3y ago
  I personally like the context stuff, but the GEM and Workbench one's look better in the pictures due to the greater use of colour IMO. Can definitely see a case for offering both, but that would probably reduce margins. I think the context at least demonstrates some sincere attempt to inject their own original design by arrangement of the windows, etc. Saying that now, I wonder if they believed that to be necessary to sell the design, since otherwise there's nothing original about the design of the item they're selling. I doubt these are actually in accordance with copyright anyway though, wonder how long it'll be until they get struck... With the exception of Windows and RISC OS, the owners of the copyrights on those UI designs basically exist purely to exploit trademarks they own now. Or maybe they licensed them, or maybe this constitutes enough original design under UK copyright law. Dunno.
- itomato 3y ago
  Yes. Seeing it as landscape would be an improvement though
SuperNinKenDo 3y ago
Looks very nice from the pictures. They have all kinds of other retro clocks too. I like this product idea, it's creative. Lack of information on materials isn't great though.
- hnlmorg 3y ago
  This is part of the Retro Museum and Cave (I forgot its correct name) in the UK. They really care about restoring original hardware and creating a fantastic interactive experience for their guests. So I’d wager they’d put the same love and care into the items on their store too. Plus I think this might be collection only? [edit: no they do delivery too] They’ve also got a really good YouTube channel too. I’d highly recommend that if you’re into retro gaming on original hardware.
  - SuperNinKenDo 3y ago
    That does sound promising. Thanks.
Waterluvian 3y ago
I had a moment wondering if this was some nonsense overpriced app until I realized I was looking at an actual wall clock. What a clever design.
- wenc 3y ago
  Me too. Folks these are physical clocks with retro computer faces. $33 suddenly doesn’t seem too bad.
- jackpeterfletch 3y ago
  Yeah I thought it was an e-ink clock XD. Then I realised that the Windows 3.1 design language might actually be a really good fit for an OS that targets e-ink for computers & large tablets. Which is something I’ve been craving a solution to recently.
  - Waterluvian 3y ago
    That or earlier Apple OSes that also targeted black and white screens.
jauntywundrkind 3y ago
Not directly related, but anyone getting Matt Webb's Poem/1 rhyming ai clock? I missed the kickstarter but will probably pick it up at release. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/genmon/poem-1-the-ai-poetry-clock https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/genmon/poem-1-the-ai-po...
jaymzcampbell 3y ago
I bought one of these, and really like it. My main issue would be is the mechanism is a little chunky so I resorted to blue-tacking a dice on the wall towards the bottom of it so that it's flush [1]. The width of a normal sized dice was pretty much perfect to get it sitting "straight" against the wall, without that it would tilt downwards - and that was driving me nuts. Re. materials & quality - it looks and feels very good to me, the print is very sharp, it is smooth and well made - no sharp edges or fraying, nothing is peeling off etc. For the price I am very happy. I have no nostalgia for the acorn nor a need for a second clock but would be tempted if I could get away with it in the kitchen. They must've partnered because I bought mine originally from RetroFied [2] - I saw it mentioned by Neil on an RMC video at the time and thought I must get one for the price (£25). [1] https://i.imgur.com/Rw6Yt92.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Rw6Yt92.jpg [2] https://retrofied.uk/collections/gifts-and-gadgets/products/windows-3-1-desktop-large-wall-clock https://retrofied.uk/collections/gifts-and-gadgets/products/...

40 points by Bondi_Blue 3y ago

crooked-v 3y ago

I'd like it more if it was just the clock window, without all the surrounding stuff.

SuperNinKenDo 3y ago
I personally like the context stuff, but the GEM and Workbench one's look better in the pictures due to the greater use of colour IMO. Can definitely see a case for offering both, but that would probably reduce margins. I think the context at least demonstrates some sincere attempt to inject their own original design by arrangement of the windows, etc. Saying that now, I wonder if they believed that to be necessary to sell the design, since otherwise there's nothing original about the design of the item they're selling. I doubt these are actually in accordance with copyright anyway though, wonder how long it'll be until they get struck... With the exception of Windows and RISC OS, the owners of the copyrights on those UI designs basically exist purely to exploit trademarks they own now. Or maybe they licensed them, or maybe this constitutes enough original design under UK copyright law. Dunno.
itomato 3y ago
Yes. Seeing it as landscape would be an improvement though

SuperNinKenDo 3y ago

Looks very nice from the pictures. They have all kinds of other retro clocks too. I like this product idea, it's creative. Lack of information on materials isn't great though.

hnlmorg 3y ago
This is part of the Retro Museum and Cave (I forgot its correct name) in the UK. They really care about restoring original hardware and creating a fantastic interactive experience for their guests. So I’d wager they’d put the same love and care into the items on their store too. Plus I think this might be collection only? [edit: no they do delivery too] They’ve also got a really good YouTube channel too. I’d highly recommend that if you’re into retro gaming on original hardware.
- SuperNinKenDo 3y ago
  That does sound promising. Thanks.

Waterluvian 3y ago

I had a moment wondering if this was some nonsense overpriced app until I realized I was looking at an actual wall clock. What a clever design.

wenc 3y ago
Me too. Folks these are physical clocks with retro computer faces. $33 suddenly doesn’t seem too bad.
jackpeterfletch 3y ago
Yeah I thought it was an e-ink clock XD. Then I realised that the Windows 3.1 design language might actually be a really good fit for an OS that targets e-ink for computers & large tablets. Which is something I’ve been craving a solution to recently.
- Waterluvian 3y ago
  That or earlier Apple OSes that also targeted black and white screens.

jauntywundrkind 3y ago

Not directly related, but anyone getting Matt Webb's Poem/1 rhyming ai clock? I missed the kickstarter but will probably pick it up at release. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/genmon/poem-1-the-ai-poetry-clock https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/genmon/poem-1-the-ai-po...

jaymzcampbell 3y ago

I bought one of these, and really like it. My main issue would be is the mechanism is a little chunky so I resorted to blue-tacking a dice on the wall towards the bottom of it so that it's flush [1]. The width of a normal sized dice was pretty much perfect to get it sitting "straight" against the wall, without that it would tilt downwards - and that was driving me nuts. Re. materials & quality - it looks and feels very good to me, the print is very sharp, it is smooth and well made - no sharp edges or fraying, nothing is peeling off etc. For the price I am very happy. I have no nostalgia for the acorn nor a need for a second clock but would be tempted if I could get away with it in the kitchen. They must've partnered because I bought mine originally from RetroFied [2] - I saw it mentioned by Neil on an RMC video at the time and thought I must get one for the price (£25). [1] https://i.imgur.com/Rw6Yt92.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Rw6Yt92.jpg [2] https://retrofied.uk/collections/gifts-and-gadgets/products/windows-3-1-desktop-large-wall-clock https://retrofied.uk/collections/gifts-and-gadgets/products/...