Archive for February 2002

I’ve been struggling with an XML-RPC problem and the error messages I get don’t tell me anything. Enter The Cranky User: Could you repeat that in English?

Frequently, error messages are totally uninformative — or, worse, just plain wrong. Here, we look at how meaningful error messages can make it easier for users to correct problems without having to rely on technical support, and how poorly chosen messages can turn users into ex-users.

Heck, having clear error messages may save tech support extra work because some users are intelligent enough to resolve the problem on their own. [Link Webword]

<edit>Steven debates my statement in a well-written entry. I’m looking at the big picture, not just in an office using customized software.

I asked a Technical Support Manager for his feedback and here is what he said:

I agree with both of you actually. While I agree with Meryl that informative error messages would be great for those few of us that can figure out the problem on our own.

The natural instinct of the normal lay person is to pick up the phone and call Tech Support. I think this would be most helpful with programs that are only used by people with advanced computer knowledge (like some of those you have for graphics). But, in other programs for the masses, it would be a waste of time (like MS Word) because 99.9% of the people that use Word just know to "click here."</edit>

WebAim (Web Accessibility In Mind) is offering free online training on Web accessibility during the month of April.

According to the Web site, an estimated 20% of the US population has some kind of disability and 10% have a severe disability. That’s a big chunk of our audience, isn’t it? Even I fall into that as someone with profound hearing loss. [Link Brainstorms and Raves]

Edited 8 newsletters and two book chapters in two days. I’m tired! Ben has made a nice high resolution, bandwidth-loving map of the USA. Let’s do something fun now and go color it!

<meryl stares at the monitor with her mouth wide open in shock> MovableType Spotlight. Honored, moved, and happy. I’ve never got anything like this or even been nominated. Never complained since notes are not eye candy.

Thank you, Ben and Mena.

This has inspired me to move forward with my plans to officially launch a second Weblog. Now, back to reading The Toughest Site You Will Ever Build, so I can actually get something up! Watch this space for updates.

WDVL: The toughest site you will ever build talks about a dilemma I have run into a few times… where to start when redesigning my own Web site. It got so bad this time that I had to go hire someone to do it for me. [Link Webreference]

USATODAY.com has picked Webreference’s cool license plate gallery on its Hot Site of the Day. Also, on the list is WriteTheWeb, which surprised me since it had not been updated in ages… then, I learned they started it up again. Yahoo! Unfortunately, I discovered that site after it went on hiatus and understand how tough it is to keep a site regularly updated.

Meryl wrote an entry that brought a smile to my face and explains why I value the people on the ‘net so much. I’ve made a lot of online friends over the years and met some in person.

I’m not a shy person, but I struggle in crowds (hence, I’ll admit being anxious about sxsw). But email, IM, and Weblogs are a place where all communications barriers are removed. For once, I can listen thoroughly and clearly.

I admit that sometimes my attention wanders or I dominate a conversation by doing a lot of talking. It’s not me trying to be rude or anything, but my attention span sucks when I can’t understand what is going on. When I am in control of the conversation, I know what’s going on. Listening is important and that’s why I prefer to be online so I can do it right.

Could we have a computer chat at sxsw?

Creating a web site – a step by step guide from Jessett.com. One for the bookmarks. [Link The Shifted Librarian]

Steven Garrity writes a letter to us all on CSS Design and his planned site redesign. He opens it up for feedback, suggestions, and answers. His approach is the one I want to take… XHTML with CSS, but I’m not sure it will have tables or not. [Link Zeldman

The software industry is out to get us! No, I always respect smart upgrades to software, but it’s getting frustrating to shell out more money for it. The latest? Adobe Photoshop 7 – New Features. Whoa! Wait! It’s not available yet… but take a peek at what’s coming. [Link Webgraphics]