Comments on: Curiosity Cured

By: mark boyce

mark boyce — Fri, 05 Dec 2003 11:47:23 +0000

45 mins of adverts! thats crazy, I think they are 10 or 15mins max here. I’ve got an Omega Seamaster Professional aka James Bond watch. Fantastic watch, cannot fault it.

By: bonj

bonj — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 06:31:06 +0000

I think the spacial element of an analog is nice. I actually like the combo watches, but haven’t had a watch with both for some time. Fashion has never been much of a concern for me. I have a couple of analogs that need batteries, but the battery in my cheap digital is still cranking along, so it is the current watch in use. As far as teaching a child to read time an analog sure wins out when explaining a quarter or half past the hour.

By: Lars

Lars — Thu, 20 Nov 2003 14:36:07 +0000

I prefer analogue.
Also, I agree with Ken Schafer that this wasn’t a complete waste of time. It probably says something about our user interface preferences, not just for telling the time, although I haven’t seen a lot of anologue clocks on the web. Which in a way is a pity.
However, I have the opposite “syndrome” of what Mike, Dan, Sharif, and Jaimie described: a digital watch gives me a much better sense of my timeline, or how much time I have left, especially when subtractions and additions need to be made. Besides, I do not understand how a digital watch could be perceived as giving a less accurate indication of the time by some.
Another interesting conclusion we may draw from this poll is that geeks actually have some sort of aesthetic sense, although I would need more proof before I am convinced.
Which brings me to DIGITAL CALCULATOR WATCHES. I’d really like to see a new poll on how many people use these. I have been wanting to get one for ages, as I’m certain they’ll come back into fashion at some point. The only question is when?
Btw, Jeff: is your watch orange?

By: Jaime

Jaime — Fri, 14 Nov 2003 18:41:32 +0000

I’ve got to go with Alex on this one.
I think analog is preferred because it is like looking at timeline with the current time highlighted. It is easier to see the current time in relationship to the overall timeline.
With digital it is harder to visualize the time in a relationship with other points along the timeline.

By: Egor Kloos

Egor Kloos — Fri, 14 Nov 2003 03:57:38 +0000

When marketing surveys are carried out to define a specific target audience then things like clothing brands and ‘timewear’ are often recorded. The type of watch can be an indicator of a trend also it can indicate age, social and or financial status. When recorded information is measured and referenced (labled) marketeers can then compare this with existing (past) data to narrow down a specific target.
Anyway, I think Analog(ue) is ol’skool and is totally the shizznit, or whatever. ;)

By: pixelkitty

pixelkitty — Fri, 14 Nov 2003 01:25:14 +0000

I thought I’d reply to Matt Haughy:
” would think people that know their way around a W3C validator would be the type that’d want to know the difference between 2:37 and 2:38. I own a digital watch, why doesn’t every other fan of standards?”
heheh – nice point, but all the geeks I know (and myself) wear, and swear by, analog.
Maybe its the aesthetic more than the accuracy?
I can determine the time much more accurately and faster on an analog than a digital. for some reason, when viewing a digital watch or clock I have to *think* about how long til my appt or whatever – with an analog I just know.

By: Chris McDougall

Chris McDougall — Thu, 13 Nov 2003 20:02:10 +0000

If I had a choice, I would have opted for an analog *pocket watch*. There’s just something about pocket watches that invoke a sort of classy feel, though I hardly dress classy. Also, they’re generally made well, and in the tightest of situations they can be used as weapons. I just haven’t had the opportunity buy one for myself.
Anyway I currently don’t wear my wristwatch since the battery ran out and my phone is somewhat ok at telling me the time. It’s a fine watch, with a yellow display over a black background. Very futuristic looking.
But what good is a futuristic looking watch with a dead battery? I really wish I had one of those self winding watches…

By: buyot

buyot — Thu, 13 Nov 2003 18:57:42 +0000

analog is ol’ skool.

By: Adam Bramwell

Adam Bramwell — Thu, 13 Nov 2003 06:56:55 +0000

There’s alot to learn from this:
- That there is a strong, well mannered, humorous and intelligent user base for simplebits
- more people don’t use watches than i thought (~10%)
- the graphical communication method employed by analogue watches communicates a richer information set.
- you can navigate by your watch (12 to the sun, half way between 12 and the hour hand is north – southern hemisphere!)
and that’s just a start.

By: Sharif

Sharif — Thu, 13 Nov 2003 04:42:57 +0000

I agree with Mike. I’ve got my toolbar clocks, Outlook calendar, car clock and numerous digital phone displays to give me the exact time…but my analog gives me a better sense of time.
A glance at my wrist doesn’t tell me I have 17 minutes until my meeting; it tells me I have enough time to finish what I’m working on, print a few briefs, grab a drink and a cigarette, and stroll on over to the conference room.