Why do these things mean play, pause and stop? They're just shapes.
Can they be redesigned to be more meaningful?
Why do these things mean play, pause and stop? They're just shapes. Can they be redesigned to be more meaningful?
Why do these things mean play, pause and stop? They're just shapes.
Can they be redesigned to be more meaningful?
more meaningful? like what?
play implies movement to the right (conventionally forward).
pause implies a break, but shows the second (future) part.
stop terminates everything with a void. the square is possibly the least dynamic / most static primitive there is.
these are seriously perfect...
>more meaningful? like what?
Exactly. It's beyond amusing that someone who is complaining about this non-issue would use the most vague and nebulous term to describe what is ostensibly lacking.
And of course he offers no alternative iconography that might be more descriptive, intuitive, unambiguous, explicit, coherent, rational, recognizable, etc.
Your explanation is a good one, also the relative functions are made more intuitive by the context of how they are ordered- if one side = go, start, move, etc. then it's reasonable to assume that its polar opposite will be "stop", and that the control placed in between the two connotes a similar in-between on and off state of being paused or on standby.
Again, asessing them outside of this context just shows how poorly equipped the OP is to be developing valuable opinions on the matter.
Thanks for the explanation
There is nothing you can ""assess"" about me. It was only a question.
>It was only a question.
Wrong, this is a declaration-
>They're just shapes.
This is just as ignorant as saying that words "are just letters" when order and context are critically important to any particular number and arrangement of them being meaningful.
So you have displayed a willingness to make declarations that at the very least betray a lack of understanding of the subject, and are demonstrably false.
Then when it is pointed out, you erroneously claim that this declaration was "only a question"...the most charitable interpretation of this behavior would be that you are just not very bright, otherwise you are now also displying a willingness to just lie when rightly criticized.
Had you *only* asked a question, nonevof this would have been necessary, but you didn't.
Ok
eyyy. why so pissed?
Why do you feel the need to characterize a clear and rational explanation of someone's observations as some kind of unwarranted emotional reaction?
Nothing that was said indicates anger; in fact the responses describe the OPs efforts to speak authoritatively as "beyond amusing"...there was no name calling or hostility even as the OP tried to backpedal and BS his way out of making an ignorant declaration by claiming that it was only a question.
Your crying about it sounds like a whole bunch of projection to me.
I get that it's not fun to have your ignorance exposed, which is why *actually* just asking questions and listening to the answers before stating an opinion as if it is a fact is preferable to trying to editorialize.
Again, had he acknowledged that it *seemed to him* like the symbols in question were "just shapes" then this would have been a whole other conversation.
Same goes for having stated a specific problem he thought needed correction via adding "meaning".
OP could have offered examples of betterbsymbology that might at least prove that he'd given some thought to the "problem", but that would mean opening up to the same criticism he already applied to the existing ones.
That's what is being ignored- the OP started this all going with a critique of the existing symbols and reasoning behind them...that's his right, but other people have the right to critique his reasoning and to expect some alternatives to be presented, even just in the abstact.
no, you are pissed.
you have the right to be. (sure). and you are. just asking why.
If it makes you feel better to think that, go ahead, I guess.
Still waiting to see a single example of "more meaningful" symbols for A/V transport controls, BTW.
I already said these are perfect here
Play is the direction of the cassette tape movement
That symbol predates cassette; some early 1960s reel-to-reel decks had them for both forward and reverse, picrel was introduced in 1961.
Going back to the reel to reel era like stated it was mostly for ease of manufacture and readability in multiple languages. Going symbol by symbol:
>Play
It began as an simple dial arrow, most clock's of the time used arrows to point to specific increments. The dial arrow stylistically started
as a pointer in the 1940's. When the time came to make a forward icon the right facing arrow (representing clockwise rotation) was chosen.
>Stop
The stop icon in this case represents a block as something to hault your tapes progress. If I was the one making standards way back when I'd have likely gone with the octagon as most drivers would be more familiar with it.
>Pause
The pause button was a descendent of the stop button. Being slashed similarly to the cesura meant to hold briefly before beginning again. Which is why the block's broken in two. Notice it's dimensions are the same yet it's broken into 3 equal parts?
These international commercial icons were designed to be universally read with the least amount of cost needed to produce. There's plenty of goofey designs out there of people trying to reinvent the wheel. It's already too ingrained into public conscious to really modify though. (like rub out vs backspace)
>When the time came to make a forward icon the right facing arrow (representing clockwise rotation) was chosen.
No, it was chosen because it was already understood as a directional indicator, and that is the direction that *the tape* moves through an audio tape transport system.
It doesn't represent rotation at all,; the reels on a reel to reel or cassette tape deck turn counter clockwise when the transport controls are set to forward.
can't you guys even read the very first comment?
No, we won't read your comment
okay, I guess? I'll keep calling you idiot then
OP is not just a homosexual, he's a stupid homosexual.
/dumbthread.
The play button represents an arrow pointing forwards, symbolizing time and progression. No one knows who created it, but the metaphor is obvious.
The pause symbol has a well documented origin story, you can look it up.
Can't find anything about who created the stop sign, but it's obviously supposed to resemble a period mark.
They are already meaningful and even literal toddlers know how to navigate through them. "They're just shapes" so are letters.