February 18, 2003
Staples.com: Yeah, we've got problems
Staples.com: Yeah, we've got problems :: Kalsey Consulting Group
Good comments on writing usable error messages.
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Comments
Hmm. At first I have to admit that I wondered what was unusable, but the article set me straight.
I like this quote "The message, probably written by a software engineer, assumes that everything on their end is fine and blames the failure on me."
I think this is so true. I may offend software engineers, but they often have a hard time with the whole error message thing (not to mention admitting fault)- and communicating with the user in a way they can understand.
Thats why I questioned the Stapel's error message- because it was written in a way that people can understand- even if the premise is unusable.
It's better than:
"Error 536: Cookie Error, please contact your site administrator"
Posted by: Lee | February 18, 2003 05:11 PM
I thought about that too after I read that, like hey that ain't that bad, it's funny, but it is totally true. As usability progesses what was once an improvement, needs to be re-adjusted to new expectations.
Posted by: Anthony | February 18, 2003 10:55 PM
so....Now we know about the problem.... Waht is the solution?????
Posted by: soljer | September 30, 2003 10:36 PM