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The Top Ten Off Switches
Dan Jimbokla submitted a story that normally i would pass over, but I actually oddly enjoyed it. "CNET.co.uk has a truly funny and read-worthy article up about the top ten off switches. One of my favorite switches from the piece is #4 — The illuminated toggle switch: "This switch isn't designed for high-drain uses, typically it can only provide a maximum of 20 amps at 12 volts. That will make it suitable for a number of exciting uses though, and what it lacks in power handling, it makes up for in practicality. This switch will illuminate when the device it controls is turned on, and go off when the device is deactivated. This is logical and practical, and that has earned this switch a place in our hearts. What's more, it's far from expensive and there are even a choice of colors.""
NOPE!!!
My god, that must be the dorkiest list in the world, ever.
Love it!
And where do you work, that you need to wear a tie while operating heavy machinery?
...we will forget the off switch. I understand the need for managed shutdown, but there was always something satisfying about activating a solid on/off switch to cut all power to the system. The switch always did the same thing. It was dependable. Sometimes, if it was spring-loaded, it even had a satisfying "chunk" noise to tell you with extreme prejudice, this machine is OFF. Industrial!
At one time, before the widespread adoption of journaling file systems, people said that the requirement of managed shutdown would make Unix/Linux unacceptable for most people. Ha! Nowadays when people hit the START button to get to the SHUTDOWN, Windows will sit there, "saving your settings" for a good minute or more.
Link is not working for me.
Did they include the "guy standing over rope with axe" switch to shut down the Manhattan project reactor pile?
Sometimes low tech is the best tech.
My pet peeve is switches that offer no visual indication of their state when the power is out. This is important when you are trying to turn off a room full of equipment during a power failure. Besides removing load, it helps prevent damage to the equipment when the power is restored.
Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/magic-story.html
Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
Knife switches are better. Toggle switches are inappropriate for mad scientist use.
Unless of course it's the overload switch of an electromagnetic lifter (ie: Scrapyard crane) where you don't want that 4 ton load to suddenly drop from 60ft onto you just because someone heard a gear grind and pressed the panic button - better to lock the electromagnet ON.
AT&ROFLMAO
Yes, you read that right, one of the best off switches ever is fitted to the android from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Data, as he's known to his friends -- seen here snogging the face off the Borg Queen -- had one secret he only told a select few people. He could be deactivated with a power button on his leg. Yeah... but it was on his hip, not his leg. Which, I suppose, could make sex with the Borg Queen a bit of a pain...
"Oh yeah, yeah, wait, no, don't touch me th*thunk*"