I've been wanting to write about design issues again. This time not so much on software design, but more on everyday life design. In particular, rethinking the traditional way we do things. I've been wanted to post this for a while, but I had some technology issues (read that as - I couldn't find my camera cable).
A ex-coworker of mine (hi Tim!) used to tell this story:
For years, whenever she cooked fish, she would cut it into thirds and then fry it up in the pan.
After many years, her guy finally asked, "Why do you always cut the fish in thirds before you cook it?"
"That's how my mother always did it," she replied.
"Well, why did your mother cut it into thirds? Wouldn't it be better to cook it whole?"
"You know, I never thought about it. I'll call Mom and ask."
So she got her mother on the phone, and she brought the question up. "So Mom, when you cook fish, you always cut it into thirds. We were wondering why."
"Well, sweetie, my fish pan is kinda small. I cut the fish into thirds so it would fit."
So Tim would tell the story to illustrate that just because we traditionally do things one way, maybe we should take a step back sometimes and rethink why. Like do we really need to put the valve takeoff list as a table on the P&ID? Or do we really need to have that detail on the isometric? Or whatever. Perhaps this isn't really a requirement, it's just tradition -- perhaps a tradition based on previous technological limitations that we no longer are constrained by. And the fish would taste better if you didn't chop it up first.
For Christmas, I bought myself a new watch and a new pair of shoes (among other things). Both have some interesting non-standard design elements. First, the shoes. I really like the look of these shoes. But wearing them the first time I notice that every hour or so they come untied. Turns out they have ROUND laces. Who's bad idea was that? I'm not the only one who thinks round laces are ridiculous - even back in 1998 writers were lamenting the idea. You'd figure the shoe manufacturers would have addressed the issue by now, but apparently not. If you are going to change a traditional design, it need to function AT LEAST as well as the original!
The watch has non-traditional way of displaying the time. That's 12:56 in the photo. It 
isn't particularly BETTER than a standard watch dial, but does have a coolness factor. And yes it tells time perfectly, as soon as you train yourself on how to read the dial. I bought it from TOKYOFLASH, which has lots of these cool non-standard-dial watches. (I think I may have to start a collection.) This change from the traditional works - it is functional and has a added something that makes it appealing.
Just something to think about. I try to keep this in mind as I review requirements and create designs.
So it is 2008. Keeping with tradition, I have resolved to eat better, workout more, enjoy my life more . . . here, this video is pretty much what I have in mind for next year. (yeah, yeah, I spend way too much time online.)
After you place a component in P&ID (like a valve) and then select it, a special grip that looks like a downward pointing triangle might appear. If you hover over this grip, a tool tip displays saying "Substitute with another Component"
