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Subject:Instructions to "Be Patient" from a Machine From:John Gear <catalyst -at- PACIFIER -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 30 Mar 1995 10:30:00 PST
One gentleperson writes:
>I am currently prefixing one such operation with a Caution message, because
>there is an alternative that would take a shorter period of time (I reference
>the shorter method in the Caution).
>I also use phrases such as "Be patient,this operation may take a few minutes."
This is a pet peeve of mine. I really dislike products that give me
instructions like this -- "Be patient." My response to instructions such as
"Be patient" from a computer is always negative and influences the way I
feel about the product.
And since there are so many good alternatives ("This might be a good time to
get coffee" works for me but probably less for my Mormon friends) why not
just stick with them?
I *do* appreciate warnings for longer operations--but just tell me how long
the operation will take please--don't tell me how to feel about it. Thank you.
John Gear (catalyst -at- pacifier -dot- com)
Another damned, thick, square book! Always scribble, scribble, scribble,
scribble, eh, Mr. Gibbon? -- Duke of Gloucester
