# What does this do? Useless unused features on things that you own. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 30, 2011, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744 "2011-05-30T10:55:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/141 "2011-06-07T23:17:22Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Does anyone ever press the red button on the GFCI outlet as part of a regular test? nah, just when I’ve overloaded it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/142 "2011-06-08T00:53:58Z")
> [@levax](#): > > I think the car stereo remote is a feature of car stereos that go way too loud for you to be inside the car when it’s turned up to max. So that you can test it at full volume without going deaf. I think it is supposed to be a redneck type feature. You can use the remote to control the sound at a party by using the remote to control the sound coming out of the truck with the best stereo without having to leave the bonfire. No, I am not kidding. That is the only thing I have ever seen them used for. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/143 "2011-06-08T01:12:52Z")
The Sabbath feature on my stove. I understand what it is for, I just will never use it. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/144 "2011-06-08T01:29:03Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > Actually…we use it on the up grades. (It’s all up and down really, but there is no braking) In normal gear, the car overheats \. Same conditions but in second gear, nothing overheats. So…not sure what second gear is really doing in that situation, but it’s not overtaxing the engine to the point it overheats, the way drive does, and that’s good enough for me. 😛 Not knowing the year and model of your motor, could be a few things: higher rpm at a lighter load generates less heat, spins the water pump faster, which moves more water through the radiator per unit Time, could also spin the fan faster if it’s not an electric fan. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/145 "2011-06-08T01:32:08Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > The Sabbath feature on my stove. I understand what it is for, I just will never use it. I have never heard of this mode. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/146 "2011-06-08T01:46:18Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > Hah! At least they’re honest. > > My Blu-Ray player has a remote with the same exact four colored keys in exactly the same place as my television remote. So I started taking notice of other’s remotes. They’re spreading! It’s like a new industry standard or something. My father in-law’s new tv and dvd system both have remotes with the colored keys. My Blu-Ray player uses one of them for setting up the wireless internet connection…but I don’t understand why there needs to be a button on the remote for that?! Especially one which I have more than once accidentally hit while streaming netflix and disabled my wireless internet connection unwittingly! It’s plenty easy to have that feature accesible through the menu…which you access by hitting the MENU KEY!!! > > Damnable technological progress! I have the same four colored buttons, but at least on my blu-player they have somewhat of a use. One launches Netflix, one launches YouTube, one launches Pandora and the last launches Blockbuster. Guess which one I never, ever use? ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/147 "2011-06-08T04:44:56Z")
> [@alindallas](#): > > Reference to Simon’s Cat? Yes 😃 ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/148 "2011-06-08T05:10:55Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > It only toasts the cut side, leaving the crust side with a nicer texture. Mine doesn’t. What’s with that? I tried it out for the first time this morning, and both sides of each slot heated up and toasted. Do I just have a shitty toaster? Which side is supposed to be the cut side? ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/149 "2011-06-08T10:22:53Z")
I feel compelled to point out that besides safety, another reason for lower gears on auto cars is performance. By staying in a low gear longer when accelerating, you can speed up faster. It uses more fuel though. I also believe switching to low gear will help if your car starts accelerating on its own, like Toyota had a problem with. Because of these, I believe low gear selection will always be available on cars. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/150 "2011-06-08T10:56:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I propose that nobody sitting here reading this thread has ever had a purpose to use the “Scroll Lock”, “Pause/Break”, or “SysRq” functions on their keyboard Scroll Lock (tapped twice) is used by my KVM. Pause and Break are useful in text modes. SysRq was also a toggle for a previous KVM. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/151 "2011-06-08T11:54:37Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > The Sabbath feature on my stove. I understand what it is for, I just will never use it. Is it for cooking bats? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/152 "2011-06-08T12:36:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I propose that nobody sitting here reading this thread has ever had a purpose to use the “Scroll Lock”, “Pause/Break”, or “SysRq” functions on their keyboard, and few have found a situation where “Delete” was preferable to “Insert”. I use pause/break occasionally - Some computers have a boot screen that tells you what to press to get into the CMOS settings, but displays it too briefly to read, or some other part of the startup process (such as the memory check, etc) might need scrutiny for longer than it normally appears on screen. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/153 "2011-06-08T13:43:12Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > Is it for cooking bats? Nah, it’s for observant Jews who are nonetheless trying to pull one over on God. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/154 "2011-06-08T13:51:27Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Do I just have a shitty toaster? Which side is supposed to be the cut side? Usually there’ll be a little pictogram of a bagel beside the slot; you put the bagel in with the cut side facing as shown. Sorry your toaster isn’t working properly; that blows. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/155 "2011-06-08T14:39:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I thought of another one. The “panic button” on the back of my minivan’s key fob. I know the purpose of this thing. It makes all the lights flash and the horn honk. The reason I know the purpose of this thing is because I hit it accidentally on about a monthly basis. I’m sure the neighbors love this. I know I do. My old Jetta used to do this all the time. It could not be shut off without putting the key in the door, and sometimes not even then. Great fun, that. I just opened the key fob and removed the presser thingie below the panic button. You should do that. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/156 "2011-06-08T15:31:11Z")
Has anyone ever had a reason to turn OFF Num Lock? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/157 "2011-06-08T16:48:03Z")
Digital zoom in any digital camera. Turn it off when you first power up the camera and never look back. It’s much better to do cropping in the computer and most cameras do a lousy job anyway. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/158 "2011-06-08T18:07:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Shagnasty > > > [@](#): > > > > Quote: > > Originally Posted by levax > > I think the car stereo remote is a feature of car stereos that go way too loud for you to be inside the car when it’s turned up to max. So that you can test it at full volume without going deaf. > > I think it is supposed to be a redneck type feature. You can use the remote to control the sound at a party by using the remote to control the sound coming out of the truck with the best stereo without having to leave the bonfire. No, I am not kidding. That is the only thing I have ever seen them used for. I have known several rather large individuals who just kept it in their hands while driving, as they fiddled so much with the controls that they would die if they took the time to look AT the stereo… I never used mine. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/159 "2011-06-08T19:07:18Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Has anyone ever had a reason to turn OFF Num Lock? I never turn it ON. I do not have the training in typing on a caculator keypad, see, I don’t even know the proper term. I also have never used the CAPS LOCK key. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744/160 "2011-06-08T19:11:09Z")
I’ve been using the CAPS LOCK key more and more, but not to save time or energy. I use it to avoid activating Smart Keys by holding the Shift key for more than a few seconds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-do-useless-unused-features-on-things-that-you-own/583744.md?page=9)