People often talk about technology that "Just works".
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People often talk about technology that "Just works". Usually they're talking about software. That's ironic, because almost all software doesn't fit that description, and most software designed that way ends up having failure cases and security flaws that are horrendous. The "just works" lifespan is a best a few year, but often it doesn't even make it to months.
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People often talk about technology that "Just works". Usually they're talking about software. That's ironic, because almost all software doesn't fit that description, and most software designed that way ends up having failure cases and security flaws that are horrendous. The "just works" lifespan is a best a few year, but often it doesn't even make it to months.
I do own a bit of tech that "just works" though. My solar watch.
In practice these things function for decades without servicing, without needing new batteries, without the need for continuous movement.
Current models don't even need natural light, they can charge happily from the glow off your monitor, they can sit in completed darkness for days at a time, and still keep better time than mechanical watches that people pay thousands for.
I love solar watches. That's a product that works.
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People often talk about technology that "Just works". Usually they're talking about software. That's ironic, because almost all software doesn't fit that description, and most software designed that way ends up having failure cases and security flaws that are horrendous. The "just works" lifespan is a best a few year, but often it doesn't even make it to months.
@tealeg (it was a Steve Jobs mantra about apple products and he was made fun of pretty mercilessly at the time)
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I do own a bit of tech that "just works" though. My solar watch.
In practice these things function for decades without servicing, without needing new batteries, without the need for continuous movement.
Current models don't even need natural light, they can charge happily from the glow off your monitor, they can sit in completed darkness for days at a time, and still keep better time than mechanical watches that people pay thousands for.
I love solar watches. That's a product that works.
@tealeg where does one find these? sounds cool
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@tealeg where does one find these? sounds cool
@chrisamaphone they’re a very mainstream product, you can probably find one wherever you can buy a watch. Look at Citizen watches branded “eco drive”, for other brands you just search for “solar”. Timex, Seiko, Casio all have solar powered models at relatively affordable prices.
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People often talk about technology that "Just works". Usually they're talking about software. That's ironic, because almost all software doesn't fit that description, and most software designed that way ends up having failure cases and security flaws that are horrendous. The "just works" lifespan is a best a few year, but often it doesn't even make it to months.
@tealeg
Back in school everyone had to buy a specific pocket calculator model for the math classes and I ignored my teacher and bought the newer model. It had exactly the same features but no battery. Instead it was powered by a tiny solar cell.That was over 30 years ago. It recently fell into my hand when I cleaned my desk and that gosh darn thing still works like it did back then. I'm sure it doesn't have a battery but charges an buffer capacitor where its display and MCU runs from. And as long as it doesn't use an electrolyte that could dry up or burst up in magic smoke, this thing might survive me.
Yeah, obsolete, I can do now most of its calculations on my phone now, but honestly? My phone needs to charge daily. If I need to go to deep space or on an expedition outside of civilization, I'd prefer that old calculator!
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@tealeg
Back in school everyone had to buy a specific pocket calculator model for the math classes and I ignored my teacher and bought the newer model. It had exactly the same features but no battery. Instead it was powered by a tiny solar cell.That was over 30 years ago. It recently fell into my hand when I cleaned my desk and that gosh darn thing still works like it did back then. I'm sure it doesn't have a battery but charges an buffer capacitor where its display and MCU runs from. And as long as it doesn't use an electrolyte that could dry up or burst up in magic smoke, this thing might survive me.
Yeah, obsolete, I can do now most of its calculations on my phone now, but honestly? My phone needs to charge daily. If I need to go to deep space or on an expedition outside of civilization, I'd prefer that old calculator!
@momo love it!
Just goes to show how much of the “solar panels don’t last” narrative is just a talking point from oil company marketing departments.
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@chrisamaphone they’re a very mainstream product, you can probably find one wherever you can buy a watch. Look at Citizen watches branded “eco drive”, for other brands you just search for “solar”. Timex, Seiko, Casio all have solar powered models at relatively affordable prices.
@tealeg @chrisamaphone
Not having realised that these were a thing - I've hit the card and ordered one of the budget Citizen Q&Q watches as a toe in the water before spending ££ -
R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic
