#9: Gas Pump Keypads

The fact that I can use my credit/debit card at the gas pump is super convenient. It saves me from having to go inside the gas station to pay. The only thing that irks me about this process is the keypad at most gas stations. It is usually a flat surface with the numbers written on it, and I am assuming that buttons are under this surface. It is shown below.

I have to use this keypad to enter in a zip code or a pin number. The problem with this input method is the feedback. There is no tactile feedback. Most buttons are 3D so I can feel the button being pressed for sure. With this keypad, I am never sure if I pressed it too soft or maybe even too hard. Sometimes I worry if I press it too hard that the neighboring numbers will also register. I am also not sure if I am pressing the number in the exact right spot. Additionally, there is usually an attempt at auditory feedback, but the beep that occurs when I press a button is too quiet to be heard at a gas station. I can look at the screen after each number I enter, but that is annoying and can be hard outside with the sun. I like the keypads below where there is plenty of tactile feedback. I understand why gas stations use the first technique though because customers have dirty hands and things might get in the buttons causing them to be sticky or malfunction. An ideal solution would be a 3D keypad with a good button protector.

#8: Bike Racks

The black curvy bike racks serve a great purpose of giving something cool looking secured in the ground to lock my bike to, but they frustrate me because they are not intuitive. I am not sure how to place my bike in relation to the rack when I lock it up. Am I supposed to use a kickstand, put one tire over the low part, or simply rest the bike against it under the high parts? The picture above shows how people above feel the same way as bikes are utilizing the rack in different ways. I don't like how resting the bike against the rack is unstable. My bike often falls over when I just rest it against the rack, and the pink bike on the left has fallen over like mine does. While this rack is neat that it can be used in different ways, I prefer the rack below.

I like these gray bike racks better because it is clear how to use them. The design of this bike rack makes it obvious that a tire goes over that first bar and into one of the slots. (I am not sure what that blue bike is doing, maybe it isn't as intuitive as I thought) The slots are great because they hold the bike up, so there is very little chance of it falling over. I am also lazy, and these gray racks prevent me from having to ever use my kickstand whereas I use the kickstand with the curvy racks to ensure my bike does not fall over.