[Moru]

This happens all the time. The new generation creates something cool because what our parents created isnt cool any more, only to fail exactly on the same spot as our parents. Only, it was already solved in the parents last version. This goes for cloth design, cars, houses, kitchen wares and so on, as well as software. Just look at the microwave oven earlier...

[ragesh]

Genuine question... What happened with the microwave oven?

[Momquist]

I think the GP is refering to this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16089865

Modern microwave ovens have all adopted impractical and quirky new UIs, when the old concept of knobs was simple and worked fairly well in the first place.

[Moru]

My oldest one was just two dials, the second one, 15 years old had loads of buttons and stuff, really stupidly spread out, you had to press watt, minutes, seconds, start and start was not in a corner, not in top/bottom row or any other logical place so you had to search it every time. I glued a rubber piece to it so I could find it again without having to bend down and search.

Since then I have made sure the microwave has two dials, one for time, one for effect.

[YouKnowBetter]

Remember the watercooker that had just an on & off switch?

Then came one with an option button for 80 or 100 degrees (176 or 212, in freedoms). Never knew I needed that, but that just changed my live and I can not do without it. Reason: 80 degrees water is hot enough for my needs and saves time.

Our latest has 3 buttons, with different possiblities, beebs like a maniac when ready (an option which is not unset-able) and can do things I never knew anyone would need (like keeping it at x degrees for y minutes).

I guess it is like evolution: you experiment, keep what works and get rid of all things unfit.