From: blockedofcourse@foo.invalid   
      
   On 1/12/2026 4:45 AM, Theo wrote:   
   > Don Y  wrote:   
   >> I tend to like assurances that the right connector is   
   >> in the right place.  And, I think users -- when faced with   
   >> multiple connectors -- like some reassurance that they've   
   >> mated them correctly.   
   >>   
   >> But, if I can deduce the role of the actual connection from   
   >> the data observed, is there a downside to NOT keying the   
   >> connector(s)?  (aside from the fact that it requires LOOKING   
   >> at the signals before you can make that assertion -- if you   
   >> haven't looked, do you really *care* about Schrödinger's cat   
   >   
   > Do you mean orientation, or location?   
   >   
   > ie if you have 3 USB-A ports they do care about orientation, but (perhaps)   
   > it doesn't matter which one you plug into.   
      
   But, (like your mains example below) the user would know   
   that the connections were "universal"; that which cable   
   mates with the "top" connector vs. "bottom" doesn't matter.   
      
   OTOH, if one cable obviously terminates in a MOTOR and   
   the other terminates in a SWITCH -- both, for a MECANISM,   
   they seem different enough that you would expect each to   
   have a designated "specific" connection point.   
      
   > The main thing I can think of is user confusion.  If the user is expecting a   
   > 1:1 mapping of cables to sockets, they may be uncertain when presented with   
   > 3 identical sockets and need to check documentation/techsupport about what's   
      
   That's exactly the issue.  Some folks won't even notice.   
   Others would "freeze", looking for further clues -- cursing   
   the labels that must have fallen off, etc.   
      
   > allowed.  Whereas if your connectors are square / triangle / circle shaped   
   > they instinctively know the round peg goes in the round hole.  If you give   
   > them three round connectors and three round holes, they may freeze because   
   > they're worried about plugging into the wrong hole may blow something up.   
      
   Cause damage or cause it to simply not work properly.   
      
   E.g., a 4 pin connector where 1&2 are connected /on one connector pair/   
   to a particular termination; 2&3 on another; 3&4 on a third, etc. would   
   be "safe" to misconnect -- but would likely leave you with something   
   that isn't working properly.   
      
   [OTOH, if each mate was "compatibly wired" so the three can actually   
   accept each cable, then there would be no electrical/logical problem.]   
      
   [[OToOH, if there were 4 conductors on all connectors -- both sides -- you   
   can again find yourself worrying that THESE four will be compatible with THOSE   
   four...]]   
      
   > For things like US mains receptacles and USB-C sockets, they're familiar   
   > enough with the idea that any orientation works and plugging into the wrong   
   > socket isn't going to blow anything up, but if you have a proprietary   
   > solution then they may not have that assurance.   
      
   Anyone who "notices" will be angry at the "sheer incompetence" of   
   failing to provide that information to the user.  A call to Support   
   will give them an opportunity to express their displeasure (on YOUR dime!)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)