Stupidest Computer Periphial or accessory ever invented?

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Topher

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I read recently about an invention that allows you to experience smells through the web. Comes with some kind of pheremone releasing thingamabob for your computer or some crazy crap like that. I mean come on, who wants to smell the WWW? And who would want to smell a p0rn site!
 

dennilfloss

Past Lifer 1957-2014 In Memoriam
Oct 21, 1999
30,509
12
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dennilfloss.blogspot.com
"I mean come on, who wants to smell the WWW?"

Damn. I thought you said WW. :( I raised my arm so fast I hurt myself! :Q

Tom's Of Maine, if I remember well. ;)

Soul Doctor (Foreigner)
 

Stosh

Platinum Member
Oct 13, 1999
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Compaq (man I hate these computers) decided at some point to really screw with keyboards. I used one of those with the speakers in them. If that was not bad enough, I am still trying to figure out why would they f'uck with the space bar. On some machines they decided to cut the space bar in two, the right half would be the space bar, the left half would be a backspace. It's not a problem if your used to using your right hand to hit space, but if use your left hand, every time you go to put space in, you delete a character.

That had be one of the stupidest ideas since "New Coke". Must have been a marketing rep that came up the idea, I just can't believe and engineer would do that. :D
 

Killbat

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2000
6,641
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Any portable device connected to the system via a serial cable. It takes me hours to download EIGHT pictures from my DC20! :|
 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
2,743
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Yeah anything related to the keyboard that Compaq does usually results in an annoying invention, such as the stupid internet shortcut buttons, or like the volume control to the speakers....jesus.....
 

chansen

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,133
0
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#1 The Timex DataLink comes to mind. "OK, so we get the user to type in his appointments using our software, then we transfer the information to the watch by flashing the screen! Brilliant!" Never tried one, but always struck me as needlessly complicated. Haven't seen one in a long time.

#2 Handheld scanners. Pointless.

#3 Docking Stations. "Use your laptop at the office with a real keyboard and monitor." Great, except desktop computers aren't that expensive, so many opted for a second computer instead.

#4 Anything made by Zoltrix. You get what you pay for.

Craig
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
7,735
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anything proprietary is the stupidest. That includes remote controls and compaq keyboards. If you can't take it out and put it in another computer (and don't have to search some website in timbuktu for drivers), it is stupid. :(
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
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Handheld scanners.
Anyone who owned one and figured out how to scan a page by scanning two halves and putting them together deserves a Nobel prize.
 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
2,743
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JANSEN: Zoltrix? Apparently u must have had some bad expierences with them. Several of my friends have purchased Zoltrix 14.4 and 28.8 modems and they work just fine.
 

ApacheXMD

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,765
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oh yeah
i bought a 28.8 Zoltrix modem for 150 bucks back in the day...
and it was damn fast :)
i think it was...'93? '92?

-patchy


 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
2,743
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$150? woah that's hella expensive....hmm wait i think i might have paid around that price or a bit more for my practical pherpials 28.8