Good Design – Bad Design

Some things are designed well, and others aren’t. Posts in this category are meant to call out both, and in the case of bad designs, provide comparison or contrast to the same function designed properly.

Why Security Screws Are Ineffective, Normal Screws are Problematic, and How to Fix Both

Posted by Justin A. Parr on April 21, 2015
Posted in: Good Design - Bad Design, Rants. 2 comments

Security screws are specially-designed fasteners that can’t be removed without the corresponding, specially-designed bit.

Security screws are an excellent way to help prevent people from tampering with public facilities and resources, and to help prevent someone from creating a public safety issue — for example, security screws can and should be used in buses, trains, and airplanes.

In most applications, however, they are more of an inconvenience than a deterrent.

Meanwhile, the two most common screw fasteners, “slotted” (standard) and Phillips, are both problematic.

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Serious Flaw Found in Internet Explorer

Posted by Justin A. Parr on February 4, 2015
Posted in: Analyses and Responses, Good Design - Bad Design. Leave a Comment

“Serious flaw found in Internet Explorer”.  That’s like saying, “garbage found in the dumpster”.  Although I don’t disagree that the flaw is serious, I DO question the utility and value of using Internet Explorer, as well as the ongoing expectation that IE is useful for anything other than downloading a competent browser.

How to Fix a 2001 Ford Explorer Power Seat Switch

Posted by Justin A. Parr on December 13, 2014
Posted in: Good Design - Bad Design. Leave a Comment

My children have reached the milestone in life, where the state of Texas entrusts them, under supervision for now, to operate a motor vehicle.  Without going in to details, the object of their foray in to driverdom is a 2001 Ford Explorer.

Knowing that the vehicle has power seats, and that the power seat switches were worn out, I Googled the problem, only to find that a replacement, specialized part, that Ford no longer makes, and that is poorly designed at inception, would cost between $200 and $400, and I needed TWO of them – both the driver’s side and passenger’s side were malfunctioning.

I asserted that I could fix it without the crappy Ford part, and I did.

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