# Why progress bars on computer programs suck so hard?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-progress-bars-on-computer-programs-suck-so-hard/650691>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 18, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-progress-bars-on-computer-programs-suck-so-hard/650691 "2013-02-18T13:32:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-progress-bars-on-computer-programs-suck-so-hard/650691/21 "2013-02-19T02:50:25Z")

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They are eye candy to placate the user and nothing more. [There is no standard in their design or functionality](http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/why-the-progress-bar-is-lying-to-you). They merely serve to occupy your time as a pseudo sense of accomplishment. Some measure percentages of file transfers completed. Some measure CPU cycles based on the original developer’s CPU. The list goes on and on.

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**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-progress-bars-on-computer-programs-suck-so-hard/650691/22 "2013-02-19T02:55:16Z")

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> [@chappachula](#):
>
> When you stand in line of 4 people at the grocery store

That was an excellent analogy.

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