USB inventor explains why the connector was not designed to be reversible

ooli@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 571 points –
USB inventor explains why the connector was not designed to be reversible
pcgamer.com
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I was there when we had lots of "round" connectors like Din connectors but also lots of proprietary ones.

That was way worse, trying for the eleventh time to put it in correctly without looking as it's under/on the backside in a jungle of other cables, and not damaging any of the fragile 7 pins... gargl.

The trick with DIN connectors was to try to insert them gently while rotating them. Once you got the notch lined up they would very clearly drop into the socket at which point you could apply more pressure to fully seat them. It was only a problem if you were jamming them in full force while rotating because you could exert enough pressure to force it into the socket even with the key notch misaligned crushing the pins. I never once had a problem inserting a DIN connector, something I absolutely can't say about USB-A.

Wow I'd forgotten about the old keyboard and mouse ports, they were such a faff to plug in without looking.

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