Let’s talk about UX. Here, you can see some screens in a major Parisian train station. A few years ago, they replaced the gigantic, noisy rotating panels that come to mind when we think of train stations.

We could argue that the giant panels were better for visibility from a distance, but this is mitigated by the ability to place these screens in multiple locations throughout the station. The change happened several years ago, but the version you see here is new, featuring a subtle difference.

Do you notice it ? I can see when a train is due to depart (in blue) or arrive (in green). I can see the train ID, its destinations or origin, the platform… but wait. WHERE IS THE CURRENT TIME ?

The old version included it. They left out one train to make space (and alternated between pages of too many trains) to display the time. They also had a “multiscreen” option to keep the time on the last screen only.

The rotating panels also displayed the time, often with the biggest clock you’d see outside of churches. WHAT TIME IS IT ? DO I HAVE TIME TO BUY A COOKIE ?

As developers (and PMs), always take a step back and remember the purpose of your app. Change for the sake of change is counterproductive. When you encounter something that seems « stupid, » consider whether it was designed that way for a reason you haven’t thought of.

Epilogue: I had time for a cookie. And a thread.