Re: Three error message style ideas Re: Style guide for error messages?

Subject: Re: Three error message style ideas Re: Style guide for error messages?
From: Lois Patterson <skycerulean -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 20:57:34 -0800 (PST)


I think the message quoted below might be too wordy.
It contravenes what I learned at a minimalism seminar.
This message (very hastily drafted) tells the user the
same thing, but can be read at a glance:

The start date must be earlier than the end date.
Re-enter the dates.

13 words instead of 25. Of course the most important
thing is to get approval for whatever style you end up
using.

Lois Patterson
==========
Loretta wrote:
Here's an example of a good error message:

"You entered a start date later than the end date. The
start date must be earlier than the end date. Check
the dates and
re-enter."

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