If you've ever complained about a terrible user interface, now is the time to take a step back and be thankful you didn't leave the UI design of your favorite apps to these guys.

Belatedly, I found an old trend from six years ago in the ProgrammerHumor (opens in new tab) subreddit. Here is a sea of programmers designing the worst volume controls imaginable, sometimes classified under the BadUI tag.

From Morse code tappers to latitude-based volume limits and even microtransactions that allow you to purchase the desired volume for a short period of time, these made us laugh this morning.

We're sure the latter designs are not so far removed from the frankly dystopian approach to media today, but let's not dwell on that. Here are some of the best designs we found. Some are based on games, and some of the most frustrating bad designs we've encountered will seem like a walk in the park.

This Half Life bhop volume control by Markop1CZ (opens in new tab) may honestly be one of the most obscure ones on this list. Frankly, I'd be hip to encourage players to bunny hop in-game, but I can imagine it as a handy reminder to improve your acrobatic skills in a game of Elder Scrolls.

This wonderful Morse code volume control (opens in new tab) by user LinAGKar requires a very specific skill set to get anywhere; those with knowledge of the inconspicuous telegraph system of the 1830s can enter the volume they need by simply typing the word Just tap.

This volume control in Maximuso tests your curling technique (open in new tab) and gamifies the process. Needless to say, it's hit or miss, but it's certainly an interesting experiment.

This amazing latitude-based volume control by maharshimartian seems unlikely to let you down or disappoint you unless you run around with a laptop.

Not the most intuitive volume control design by user mienys, but probably for artists. It might take 10 minutes to rearrange the dots to enter your preferred volume, but it certainly has a sense of free expression. I wonder what would happen if I drew a penis.... Don't tell me you didn't think of that too.

If you're a constant stickler for unstable Internet, this kleinschrader Wi-Fi signal strength-based volume control (opens in new tab) is likely not for you.Wi-Fi range extender (opens in new tab) might be a handy way to check signal strength, though, if you're wondering if you need a.

Another gamification volume control is a bit more luck-dependent this time. User kapeboi has adopted a wheel of luck (opens in new tab) design that may result in a perfect volume, or perhaps a trip to the ear doctor.

If you're trying to monitor the temperature inside your home, this Arduino and DHT11 temperature sensor volume controller from KapiteinBreinpijn gives you a reading in the form of sound. This means that when it gets a little chilly, not only will you shiver, but you'll be nervous about listening to music. I have a bad feeling about this.

A frightening vision of the future of capitalism where only the rich can listen to music at full volume; I sincerely hope that micro-transaction based volume controls by SpazJoekp (opens in new tab) do not hit the market.

This is another one of our favorites, and we've been screaming at our PCs all morning in relation to the volume control setting volume. In fact, can someone please make this one?

There are many more in this little rabbit hole of a UI trend. Those were simpler times, and joy was much easier to find.