Why do these say "Caution" and "Warning" when using a power-only USB cable doesn't cause damage to anything? This will only make confused and worried customers contact Parallax when the slightest thing doesn't seem right. ("Oh noes, I plugged in that cable... did I break my PropBOE???")
These cables are anything but useless. Coupled with a cheap USB wall or car adapter charger the pair make a very nice regulated power supply for something needing 5V. Send me your charger-only cables. I always have a use for them.
Like Erco I'm also not a graphics-type person, so I don't have a contribution, but I think Tracy's is the best so far. It isn't as "funny" I guess, but in my pitiful opinion it's more in line with how the sticker can convey it's not for programming the PropBOE.
-- Gordon
Edit: Just looked at Erco's. Except for WARNING I think it's great. Yeah, it's not funny, but we could always add a picture of Erco on the back. THEN it would be funny.
Rather than "Caution" or "Warning" or "DANGER!!!" or "DO NOT USE FOR PROGRAMMING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES", I think the word everyone is looking for is
"ATTENTION!"
"Attention: You will look very silly if you try and program your Prop BOE with this cable."
For the record, I think our own Duane Degn brought this problem to light way back in January:
Duane Degn
01-17-2012, 06:03 PM
@Ken,
Are listening? The USB cable on the product page looks like it's the one that comes with the Veho360. You might want to add a warning about the cable only providing power, not data.
I see a USB cable is listed as an accessory sold-separately but it would probably be a good idea to clarify what the one in the product photo can (and can't) do.
The logo could easily be replaced with an image of a Propeller hat which is covered by the red circle and slash to indicate it won't work for programing the Propeller.
Perception is everything here. The wording shouldn't suggest the Propeller is lacking because it can't use some cable included with the kit. Not everyone will immediately get the limitation of the cable, and think the problem is in the PropBOE. I think it should simply say "This cable is only for charging the Veoh speaker." Frame it as what the cable is for, rather than what it's not for. My opinion, anyway.
While on the subject, the USB-to-mini cable should be listed under Related Products on the PropBOE cart page.
Is this too technical? I was thinking it might appeal to many of us:
#define TRUE 1
#define FALSE 0
typedef int BOOL;
void main()
{
/* the USB cable included with your Veho Speaker is designed */
/* for charging only and is not compatible with your propBOE */
int connection, includedUSBcable;
int veloSpeaker, propBOE;
BOOL charging, programming;
if (connection == (includedUSBcable + veloSpeaker)) {
charging = TRUE;
if (connection == (includedUSBcable + propBOE)) {
programming = FALSE;
}
I haven't time to mock up the artwork but my design would be along the lines of:
Line 1: icon of wallwart -- cable -- velo360 CHECK
Line 2: icon of PC -- cable -- PropBOE ANGRY X
Line 3: icon of cable -- arrow -- garbage can CHECK
Line 4: English text: The cable doesn't workfor programming, please discard it. Thanks.
Add Line 3,5 - Place this sticker on the dumb cable included with the velo360
Is this too technical? I was thinking it might appeal to many of us:
#define TRUE 1
#define FALSE 0
typedef int BOOL;
void main()
{
/* the USB cable included with your Veho Speaker is designed */
/* for charging only and is not compatible with your propBOE */
int connection, includedUSBcable;
int veloSpeaker, propBOE;
BOOL charging, programming;
if (connection == (includedUSBcable + veloSpeaker)) {
charging = TRUE;
if (connection == (includedUSBcable + propBOE)) {
programming = FALSE;
}
Perhaps I should post this in the Propeller GCC forum and see if somebody can get it to compile! LOL
I see some acceptable submissions, and I notice how many of them have attempted to provide a useful explanation. You've given MattG some quality choices and an important job to do on Wednesday. Thankfully it's not Thursday (Donut Day) because we'd lose his interest until at least noon as he snarfs down one Old Fashioned glazed sugar-bomb followed by another two or three, after which time he normally takes a nap under his desk. zzzzz zzzzz
Herr Board, Sie haben eine guten Idee aber glaube Ich zu wenig unsere Freunden Deutsche sprechen. Vielleicht konnen Sie ihre Idee in English geben. Und dann werden Sie ein Grosse PropBOE winnen! Auch, es nehmt ein Bild.
Another thought about the cable. I ended up writing "charge" with a sharpie pen on a 1" length of yellow heat shrink tubing, diameter large enough to squeeze over the mini USB. Shrunk, it stays on, but slips. It is possible to order preprinted heat shrink, so Parallax might supply the caveat in that form.
"Shrink me on cable"
"I supply power "
"NOT programming"
Ok, last one, I swear.............Will fit on an Avery 5160 label too!
It may be your last,but this is my first try to make a label for a dumb cable. If people use this cable to program their PropBOE then they need a dumb label to keep them straight.
The only good thing, that this cable is good for is charging their phone or even better power your Veho360 speaker.
Remember this saying "Don't over estimate dumb people in larger groups"
Herr Board, Sie haben eine guten Idee aber glaube Ich zu wenig unsere Freunden Deutsche sprechen. Vielleicht konnen Sie ihre Idee in English geben. Und dann werden Sie ein Grosse PropBOE winnen! Auch, es nehmt ein Bild.
Dein Fruend,
Ken Gracey
-Whips out Google Translate-
Well anyway, I made a mistake with my llama picture, I meant for the veho to be the llama, and the llama to be the veho... Will edit and re-post :]
[EDIT] This is what Google translate returned:
Mr.Boardbelievethat you have agoodideabutIspeakGermantoo littleof ourfriends.Maybeyoucangiveher ideainEnglish.AndthenyouareabigWinnenPropBOE!Also,ittakea picture.
Yourfreind,
KenGracey
[Second edit] "It take a picture...?" Can you explain?
Comments
These cables are anything but useless. Coupled with a cheap USB wall or car adapter charger the pair make a very nice regulated power supply for something needing 5V. Send me your charger-only cables. I always have a use for them.
Like Erco I'm also not a graphics-type person, so I don't have a contribution, but I think Tracy's is the best so far. It isn't as "funny" I guess, but in my pitiful opinion it's more in line with how the sticker can convey it's not for programming the PropBOE.
-- Gordon
Edit: Just looked at Erco's. Except for WARNING I think it's great. Yeah, it's not funny, but we could always add a picture of Erco on the back. THEN it would be funny.
"ATTENTION!"
"Attention: You will look very silly if you try and program your Prop BOE with this cable."
For the record, I think our own Duane Degn brought this problem to light way back in January:
So, it's his fault!
The logo could easily be replaced with an image of a Propeller hat which is covered by the red circle and slash to indicate it won't work for programing the Propeller.
Robert
Sure, and his name is Ken! Occasionally aided by the Matt & the other Parallax elves...
Perception is everything here. The wording shouldn't suggest the Propeller is lacking because it can't use some cable included with the kit. Not everyone will immediately get the limitation of the cable, and think the problem is in the PropBOE. I think it should simply say "This cable is only for charging the Veoh speaker." Frame it as what the cable is for, rather than what it's not for. My opinion, anyway.
While on the subject, the USB-to-mini cable should be listed under Related Products on the PropBOE cart page.
-- Gordon
A voided main() shouldn't return anything!
(or in the spirit of Trix cereal: Silly doggiedoc, returns are for ints!)
Corrected sir.
P
Add Line 3,5 - Place this sticker on the dumb cable included with the velo360
Here's my submission.
Perhaps I should post this in the Propeller GCC forum and see if somebody can get it to compile! LOL
:cool:
Thanks,
Jay
Ken Gracey
Achtung. Das USB-Kabel ist nicht f
Dein Fruend,
Ken Gracey
Erco, Matt, errors? human? Santa? elves? All true. Ken, too.
"Shrink me on cable"
"I supply power "
"NOT programming"
The only good thing, that this cable is good for is charging their phone or even better power your Veho360 speaker.
Remember this saying "Don't over estimate dumb people in larger groups"
-Whips out Google Translate-
Well anyway, I made a mistake with my llama picture, I meant for the veho to be the llama, and the llama to be the veho... Will edit and re-post :]
[EDIT] This is what Google translate returned:
Mr.Boardbelievethat you have agoodideabutIspeakGermantoo littleof ourfriends.Maybeyoucangiveher ideainEnglish.AndthenyouareabigWinnenPropBOE!Also,ittakea picture.
Yourfreind,
KenGracey
[Second edit] "It take a picture...?" Can you explain?