Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user.

From	Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca>
Newsgroups	comp.misc
Subject	Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user.
Date	2016-01-15 15:36 -0500
Organization	National Capital Freenet, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Message-ID	<alpine.LNX.2.02.1601151534490.23002@darkstar.example.org> (permalink)
References	(4 earlier) <alpine.LNX.2.02.1601141449520.20384@darkstar.example.org> <87k2nbiejq.fsf@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> <n7ar0l$h74$1@dont-email.me> <874mee1v7c.fsf@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> <n7biuf$jm4$1@dont-email.me>

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On Fri, 15 Jan 2016, Rich wrote:

> Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> wrote:
>
>> Rich <rich@example.invalid> writes:
>
>>> Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> wrote:
>>>
>>> If you've ever worked anywhere where you've been exposed to end user
>>> reports of issues with software/computers...
>
>> Haven't done that as employment, just for friends and relatives.
>
>>> ...it is amazing the number of users who's reports begin as variants
>>> of:
>>>
>>>   "It does not work."
>
>> But I spent several years as an auto mechanic where a similar popular
>> ignorance of cars was evinced in similar terms.  "It won't start and
>> yes, I'm *sure* I'm not out of gas." (Always take gas can on such a
>> call. :-)
>
> Yes, very very similar responses.  Sometimes "It does not work." is the
> *entire* report.  Note that this would be in an environment where there
> are at least seven different independent *its* on the users desktop
> machine that might not be working for them.
>
>>>> The answer is: If the people don't want to talk to you, don't want to
>>>> enter into a dialog, do without them.
>>>
>>> Not always an option.  Esp. when one happens to be in an environment
>>> providing end user support.
>
>> Agreed.  The OP was, IIRC, talking about web forms in general.  My
>> rant was just to call attention to the possible existence of an "I
>> won't eat that" option.  Geeks of a certain bent (such as I perhaps
>> am) are often suckered into onerously fixing or working-around broken
>> stuff to no really justifiable end.
>
> True, although it did began as a rant about "web form with 'comment'
> box with a character length limit on the comment box much too short to
> adequately describe much of anything about the issue".
>
Then there's the hybrid, which maybe makes the latter acceptable.

Lots of questions, then finally "would you like to add anything" and a box 
for adding comments.  I suppose in that case the short box is okay, but 
maybe you just randomly checking the boxes before that, expecting to fill 
out the comment to supply what you needed to convey.

   Michael

Thread

Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-14 11:42 +1100
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Larry Sheldon <lfsheldon@gmail.com> - 2016-01-13 19:30 -0600
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Bob Eager <news0006@eager.cx> - 2016-01-14 01:39 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user.     wje@acm.org (Bill Evans) - 2016-01-13 18:06 -0800
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Larry Sheldon <lfsheldon@gmail.com> - 2016-01-13 21:30 -0600
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:26 +0000
            Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:42 +0000
              Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 10:33 +0100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Hils <hils@saynotospam.net> - 2016-01-14 19:32 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-14 14:51 -0500
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> - 2016-01-15 01:42 -0400
            Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-15 13:08 +0000
              Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> - 2016-01-15 15:47 -0400
                Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-15 19:57 +0000
                Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-15 15:36 -0500
                Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 10:43 +0100
                Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. scott@alfter.diespammersdie.us (Scott Alfter) - 2016-01-29 17:08 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-17 16:21 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:26 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:44 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Anssi Saari <as@sci.fi> - 2016-01-15 14:25 +0200
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-17 16:09 +0100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:25 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-17 16:04 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-17 16:07 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 10:51 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-18 11:59 +1100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-17 22:55 -0500
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Bob Eager <news0006@eager.cx> - 2016-01-18 08:55 +0000
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-18 23:25 +1100
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 11:09 +0100
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-14 02:36 +0000
  Re:Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. RS Wood <rsw@therandymon.com> - 2016-01-14 09:20 +0400
    Re: Re:Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-14 11:11 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. "Dirk T. Verbeek" <dverbeek@xs4all.nl> - 2016-01-14 12:58 +0100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:19 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:31 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 11:50 +0100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 11:24 +0100
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Marko Rauhamaa <marko@pacujo.net> - 2016-01-14 08:38 +0200
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-14 18:12 +1100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-24 10:45 +0100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-24 22:47 +1100
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Marko Rauhamaa <marko@pacujo.net> - 2016-01-24 14:07 +0200
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-18 00:15 +0100
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-14 15:18 +0000
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Anssi Saari <as@sci.fi> - 2016-01-15 14:16 +0200
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-15 12:17 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Larry Sheldon <lfsheldon@gmail.com> - 2016-01-15 18:56 -0600
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Larry Sheldon <lfsheldon@gmail.com> - 2016-01-15 23:53 -0600
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-16 17:16 +1100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-16 18:03 -0500
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Batchman <batchman@fastmail.fm> - 2016-01-16 11:01 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-15 23:38 -0500
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Larry Sheldon <lfsheldon@gmail.com> - 2016-01-15 23:51 -0600
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-16 10:40 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-16 17:59 -0500
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-22 19:23 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-22 10:53 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-22 17:23 +0000
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-22 13:12 +0100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. polygonum <rmoudndgers@vrod.co.uk> - 2016-01-22 18:38 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. "G. Paul Ziemba" <unp@ziemba.us> - 2016-01-24 18:14 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. "Dirk T. Verbeek" <dverbeek@xs4all.nl> - 2016-01-24 16:31 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-24 19:52 +0100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. "Dirk T. Verbeek" <dverbeek@xs4all.nl> - 2016-01-24 22:07 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-24 21:36 -0500
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-29 15:29 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-29 16:38 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Kara M'bola <maxupixu@in.val.it> - 2016-01-29 10:19 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-01-29 11:57 +0100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2016-01-29 11:00 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-29 13:22 -0500
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-01-29 19:49 +0000
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-29 23:30 -0500
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Bob Eager <news0006@eager.cx> - 2016-01-29 22:36 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-01-30 12:25 +1100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2016-01-29 23:33 -0500
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-02-03 19:02 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2016-02-03 11:45 +0100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-02-03 11:30 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2016-02-03 23:18 +1100
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2016-02-03 12:55 +0000
  Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2017-12-02 11:23 +1100
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2017-12-02 01:37 +0000
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2017-12-02 13:12 +1100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2017-12-02 09:39 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2017-12-02 18:02 +0000
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2017-12-02 12:44 -0800
            Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2017-12-03 09:31 +0000
          Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> - 2017-12-03 09:43 +0000
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Eric Pozharski <whynot@pozharski.name> - 2017-12-02 15:31 +0200
    Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2017-12-14 12:50 +1100
      Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2017-12-14 02:06 +0000
        Re: Let's compile a list of ways to annoy the user. Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2017-12-21 13:52 +1100

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