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Show HN: Elevators

1668 points · 413 comments · Jrh0203

  1. olex · · focus · HN ↗
    The biggest problem I always have with elevators is not the algorithm, it's the people seemingly being unable to grasp the concept of pressing either the up or the down request button, depending on where they want to go. Almost always I find someone will press both, because "then the elevator comes faster". Completely ignoring the fact that they end up going the wrong way first half the time, and adding an unnecessary halt for everyone already in there. How hard can it be to understand?..
    1. qurren · · focus · HN ↗
      I often enter it in the wrong direction.

      Like let's say elevator is at 5, I am at 1 wanting to go to 3, and before I arrive there is already someone else at 1 wanting to go to -1.

      I'll get in with them going DOWN so that it doesn't have to stop a 2nd time on the way up.

      There are also other situations where I'll press it in the wrong direction if I think it's already likely to stop on the way down (due to me being on a popular floor) to save an extra stop on the way back up.

      1. kccqzy · · focus · HN ↗
        That’s great, but a lot of buildings don’t tell you where the elevator currently is when you are about to press the button.
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