fun with error messages
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
FUN WITH ERROR MESSAGES
STL UX 2011
Danielle Cooley @dgcooley
![Page 2: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
An error message should…
Be expressed in plain language Precisely indicate the problem Constructively suggest a solution
Nielsen & Molich, 1990
Delight
Wait. WHAT?!
![Page 3: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Why so surprised?
![Page 4: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Plain language
![Page 5: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Plain language
can not find one of the library files needed to run this application
![Page 6: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Precisely indicate the problem
![Page 7: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Be specific
![Page 8: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Constructively suggest a solution
![Page 9: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
The opposite of good
![Page 10: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
404 as an opportunity
![Page 11: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
404 in action
They take the blame.
They make some
suggestions.
![Page 12: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
404 in action
E*Trade includes a search.
![Page 13: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
404 in action
![Page 14: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Irony
![Page 15: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Irony
![Page 16: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Randomness
Error was addressed by convincing the computer that English is not a letter.
![Page 17: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
In popular culture
Did you know?Vista’s error screens were originally RED!
![Page 18: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Mobile wants to play, too!
![Page 19: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Truth in error messages
![Page 20: Fun With Error Messages](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061300/54c898504a7959b33a8b466a/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
My bad!