Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.

*rim shot*

I can just see you adjusting your tie right now Doc. 

No. I don't think you should be sorry. A pun of such magnitude must be enjoyed.

Sounds like the front slots on the computers in the math lab at school. Naturally after 6 to 8 years of use the front slots on just about all of them are broken, so you have to move the tower to where you can get too the slots on the back... (and they are chained to the desks such that you cannot turn them around, only get to where you can reach the ports).

What would be really great would be for all external computer ports to be circular, and not care how the plug is turned. And not care what kind of device you plug into them.

Ohh very nice indeed. Hope it becomes common.

This is a nice enhancement.  Kind of like the auto sensing crosssover switchports.  But really, if that is all we have to complain about........... I am buying at the local tavern!  Our work is done!

I'm not so sure having a spring pressing against the (often loose) sockets at all times would be that helpful. Each set of contacts would also need to be wired separately so the pinout properly matches, and such wiring would be subject to a lot of wear due to the constant flexing on every insertion.

If the springs were pressing the contacts together that would be helpful, but in the diagram for this design, they'd be pushing the plug out of the socket.

If the housing were too 'pushable', it would transmit all the force into the socket...or prevent the stretchy layer from going back too far.

Here are more drawings which might explain it to you better than I can in words...

http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/01/25/this-usb-plugs-in-both-ways/

That's football.

Naughty naughty. And once you get past the ***** you got it ******

I simply take a felt-tip pen, and mark the side that goes up on each and every USB plug.

Simple and cost-effective problem solving...

^ indeed.

People would probably think.. good!