iphwk%MTSUNIX1.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu (Bill Kinnersley) (09/16/88)
[In "Re: Negative Open Counts", Michael Ford Ditto said:] : : As far as "public image" is concerned, is it better to say : : "Fatal error; system halted" : : or : : "System error; some or all of your data may be destroyed : if you continue..."? : Just as a mental exercise, let's design the worst possible response to a system error. 1) Present an incomprehensible 16-digit number. 2) Imply that if the user really knew what he was doing, the number would make sense to him and would indicate what was wrong. 3) Give him a choice of two buttons to push in hopes of salvaging the situation. Display cryptic instructions to guide him in making this choice. 4) Make sure that no matter which button he chooses, it apparently was the wrong choice. System death resumes and continues to completion. Now THAT would really frighten people away!