Toilet Paper Algorithms

ziani writes "Computer science professor and ex-Apple technologist Don Norman posits a new "forcing function" in toilet paper use algorithms." Browsing through his website is a good way to kill a couple of hours.

Comments

Nice idea, but...

[Heraklit]

Has anyone researched yet when a common-sense idea beomes an algorithm that computer scientist discuss?

I mean, ok, nice idea, but do we really need computer scientist for this (except for using buzzwords)?

Direction

[mike3k]

If you have a cat, the roll needs to face towards the wall, or you'll find it unrolled and most of your home TPd. On the other hand, my can is now able to unroll it in either direction.

Re:Over the top or out from the bottom

[rgmoore]

Should the paper come over the top of the roll, or out from under the bottom?

Clearly, over the top is better, because no matter how long or short the loose end is, it is always on the front so you can find it. With the under the bottom system, the loose end can be hanging behind the roll and you have to roll it until you can grab it.

That depends on the number of small children and pets in the household. If you make the free end of the toilet paper too easy to grab, then the simple minded and easily amused (I guess that might include some adults too) will sit there and unroll the whole roll just for the fun of it. It's like many things involving children and pets: making things too convenient can wind up causing problems when those who shouldn't be messing with things have access.