RE: seeking advice on the best way to phrase an error message

Subject: RE: seeking advice on the best way to phrase an error message
From: "Andrew Warren" <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>
To: "Tracy Taylor" <ipsque -at- yahoo -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:07:50 -0700

Tracy Taylor wrote:

> I'm trying to find the best way to phrase a specific error message in
a
> common situation. Basically, the application has a form that the user
> needs to enter, and let's say he or she leaves a field empty - in this
> case, it's Phone Number.
> ....
> I was going to suggest "Phone Number is required. Please enter a
Phone
> Number." Not the most concise thing in the world, but polite,
> explains the error and what to do about it.

Tracy:

If the fields that are required are already identified with a red
asterisk or something, "Phone Number is required" seems redundant... So
why not just "Please enter a phone number"?

-Andrew

=== Andrew Warren - awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com
=== Synaptics, Inc - Santa Clara, CA
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