Christmas Wish: Meaningful Measurements

Engineers and consumers do not think alike

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 17:06

All I want for Christmas is a meaningful measurement. I’m tired of “technical specifications” that have no real-world application. I’m fatigued by acronyms and jargon that I can only imagine have evil engineers and masochistic technical writers in dark rooms giggling with glee (mwah-ha-ha-ha style) while rubbing their hands together as they conjure up the next little bit of consumer torture they’ll trot out under the misnomer of information.

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Why so irritable, you ask? I’m in the market for a new and larger television, one that will fit over my family room mantle. I know the length and height that would work. But can I find that in the list of 30-odd technical specs? Sure, down around number 28. Unbelievable. Note to television manufacturers: THE DIAGONAL MEASUREMENT OF THE SCREEN MEANS NOTHING TO ME!

No human being takes out a tape measure and seeks first to measure the hypotenuse of a triangle. They measure base and height. Same goes for laptops. Note to laptop manufacturers (including the mighty Apple): THE DIAGONAL MEASUREMENT OF THE SCREEN MEANS NOTHING TO ME!

I need to know if it will fit into the sleeve in my briefcase and backpack. Or on the folding tray of your average airline seat.

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Comments

I couldn't agree more...it would be such a simple fix, too.

I have the same problem with luggage. I have some training aids I carry sometimes, and I need suitcases with interior dimensions that will be large enough to fit the equipment. It's very easy to find the exterior dimensions for suitcases, but if you want to know the interior dimensions, be prepared to visit a store, tape measure in hand.

On the subject of TVs, I am glad you did not go into Contrast Ratio, Refresh Rate or HDMI cables, otherwise we could be here all day.

You may have missed the point of the suppliers here and that is deceptive practices by the sales and marketing team in order to sell you something you may not want, appears to meet your needs but does not, appears better (or bigger) than it actually is or gives you some added benefit that actually does not exist (high cost HDMI cables come into this category).

I share your frustration, my friend. 

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