DAVE ROSS

Drop-down menus are for fonts, not nuclear drills

Jan 16, 2018, 7:43 AM | Updated: 11:14 am

nuclear drills...

To run a test for a nuclear drill, people should have to do more than select an option in a drop-down menu. (Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat via AP)

(Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat via AP)

I feel for the guy who set off the false alarm in Hawaii. I don’t think this was all his fault.

Law banning nuclear disaster planning could be overturned

First of all, he didn’t actually press a button because the alert system is, of course, computerized. To run the test, you choose from a drop-down menu where the drill message and the not-a-drill message are right next to each other.

“He was supposed to select the option for ‘drill,’ but he clicked the real thing.”

This is what always happens with those drop-down menus, right? So who thought it was a good idea to control a nuclear alert system with a drop-down menu and a mouse click?

A drop-down menu is for choosing a font, not choosing between a drill and an actual warning of nuclear annihilation.

Stuff like this shouldn’t involve drop-down menus or mouse clicks or a screen swipe or, God forbid, voice control.

“Alexa, activate a state-wide nuclear drill.”

“Sorry. I don’t know that one.”

That’s why we put fire alarms behind a cover — so you know it’s serious.

There should be a physical commitment when you sound a real alarm. It should be a giant switch that leaves your elbow sore when you throw it. Not a mouse click. Mouse clicks are for sending tweets and liking things on Facebook.

Though I’m not sure that’s a good idea either.

More from Dave Ross

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

30 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

Drop-down menus are for fonts, not nuclear drills