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Comment by andyfleming | Hacker News Reader

I disagree with half the of the assertions in this article. I don't like how the coke freestyle machines work. They touch screens are finicky, the soda doesn't taste as good, and the interaction feels a little over-the-top. I think the simplicity of most gas pump interfaces is actually a feature. My main gripe is that they are slow. While I don't think gas pump ux is amazing, it seems like the author is conflating visual design with effective user experience.

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> They touch screens are finicky, the soda doesn't taste as good, and the interaction feels a little over-the-top.

Those aren't things in question here

> it seems like the author is conflating visual design with effective user experience

often the fact that people separate those things so much is an issue in itself. visual design is definitely a big part of an effective user experience and a user's feelings about the product they are currently using

much like how the feeling of responsiveness of an interface can be manipulated by simply changing the duration of a few animations (but not the actual duration of the action)

Sure, that's fair. I said visual design, but I think I might have meant more simply "look". Design implies some intentionality, but it felt like the commentary was focused simply on how it looked and not how that actually impacted the design. For example, the resolution of the pin graphic doesn't really impact the design significantly.

The design inconsistency makes it looks like the machine has been hacked, would make me nervous about putting my card in it.

I think it looks fine, it’s a recognisable screen and the text is easy to read...

When I first started driving, I would go out of my way to fill up at the Walmart gas station, simply because their pumps were noticeably faster.

Are those a Dean Kamen design?

The mixing system is based on his medical micro-dosing technology, dunno about the UI.

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