Posted by
Amit Kulkarni [Admin]
| Posted in
end-user
,
Errors
,
message
,
misconfiguration
,
null
,
people
,
server
,
SIMPLE
| Posted on
12/17/2009 02:12:00 AM
Its all about how to keep things simple for any application, that way it can make more sense to the end user. I do test applications on my own, and at times if I've to register on any site I've follow the instructions given. How many times you've seen error messages which are not understood by the user? I'm the user too!
It is all about keeping up the things simple for better understanding. There are people who do not know what is "server", "administrator", "null" etc and if you use these terms, you're just confusing them. There are no rules for any error messages as it is been decided by the company who introduce them in the market. They all can not work on the same page but they can follow the simple thing which is - keep things SIMPLE. If a user do not understand anything from the error message, then they are not sure of the next step they've to take. This can have direct impact on the business like dis-satisfaction, loosing users, chaos all around. As a user I do not know anything about the application, which can be learn and understand by using it. The more I use it, the more I understand it. If my first experience with any application does not give me satisfaction which is directly
related to my "trust" in the application.
Some of the things which can be SIMPLE from end users perspective:
1. Error messages should be understandable.
2. Messages in English helps user to make out their way.
3. Using word like "null", "exception", "misconfiguration" does confuse the users, they are not aware of this terminology.
4. More information is available in the server log. Confused User: What is server log?Where is it? How to get? What to do with it?
5. Avoid questions and provide answers straight away (instructions) that leads to solve the problem.
KEEP THE ERROR MESSAGES SIMPLE.
Best Regards,
Amit
testing is my passion!!!
http://bugteaser.blogspot.com
Started writing the blog: 1:45 AM and completed the blog: 2:12 AM
We can also keep the comments funny / interesting like this http://bit.ly/8WktiF- instead of a message which would frustrate the user.
@Amit,
Absolutely right. Error handling should be done properly. Sometimes there is some action that a user might do and might get system error message which could be a threat to the product *smiles*.
Thanks,
Santhosh Shivanand Tuppad