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Re:USB Killer by vertex-four on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @05:48AM (#9176839)
Does anyone actually care that their plugs are elegant? In any case, your Type J is missing the fact that in the UK, the cables point down towards the floor rather than sticking out, keeping them flush with the wall and often allowing you to hide the plugs behind things.
Re:USB Killer by MrBuddyCasino on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @06:58AM (#9177041)
> Does anyone actually care that their plugs are elegant?

Some people do, I think its an expression of culture. Its hard not to notice that the swiss and the nordic countries (especially Sweden and Norway) value a certain aesthetics. This expresses itself in many things, ranging from architecture to product design, art and the design of public spaces.

There is a reason swiss typography was big, and why nordic design is appreciated all over the world. It could only emerge from these cultural surroundings, its a mindset.

That plug is an expression of british engineering values. Its certainly a very well designed plug, but I also believe the reason why swiss and nordic products are more popular than british ones is that they are made with a different approach.

Probably those same values are also the reason why british music is so great, and why swiss music is... oh well, have you ever listened to mundart-rock? So I'm not saying X is better than Y, there are trade-offs involved.

Re:USB Killer by mturmon on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @01:52PM (#9179312)
"why swiss music is... oh well..."

Reminds me of a favorite recording of Dizzy Gillespie playing with his band at Montreux. It's a pretty reserved audience, and Dizzy, who was renowned for having a lively interchange with his audiences, said while introducing vibe player Milt Jackson:

"So far, you are a typical Swiss audience. Of course, a Swiss audience might not be the greatest audience in the world. But they will do until the real thing comes along."

The last was said mirthfully, pausing to emphasize each word, and the audience chuckles good-naturedly, knowing their limitations.

Re:USB Killer by fnordfnordfnord on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @09:42AM (#9177634)
Re:USB Killer by dmd on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @12:56PM (#9178813)
You're aware that's not real, right?
Re:USB Killer by fnordfnordfnord on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @08:51PM (#9181849)
Uh, of course I am... now. I wasn't.
Re:USB Killer by swombat on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @06:02AM (#9176880)
Swiss person here. The total length of the "plug" part of a swiss plug is actually roundabout the same as the width of a british plug. They fit just fine behind couches, shelves, etc.
Re:USB Killer by vjvj on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @06:51AM (#9177022)
And as seen here (http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/j...) the socket is indented into the wall so less of the cable protrudes beyond the flat surface of the wall.
Re:USB Killer by swombat on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @08:37AM (#9177351)
That's not always the case - but it frequently is, and yes, does make the direction of the cable even less of an issue!
Re:USB Killer by gggjgkjlkjgj on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @11:43AM (#9178313)
of course. Did you miss the article yesterday about Macbook going with USB-C? Apple has made bank on just getting people to buy better plugs and cables (USB, Magsafe, Lightning connector, etc.). People also spend tons of money to hide cables when mounting TV screens.
Re:USB Killer by vertex-four on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @11:59AM (#9178422)
Better is a different thing from elegant, though.