Re: Automated error messages with "personality"

Subject: Re: Automated error messages with "personality"
From: "Comeau, Lisa" <Lisa -dot- Comeau -at- MOH -dot- GOV -dot- ON -dot- CA>
Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 14:33:39 -0400

Yvonne sent a great question about "personality" in error messages. I wish I
had more time to discuss, but I'm off for a weekend of sun & fun, so I have
to make it short.

In MY opinion, as a user support specialist, my clients would LOVE error
messages that gave more detailed info, but I agree with Yvonne that the
"Weasel words" might be too much. Maybe rephrasing her sample message like
this

>Hello, this is the ***SendMaster from ***.com. This email message is to let
you know that the *** message did not
>successfully reach the intended recipient.
>
>The problem might be:
>The email address yvonne -at- silcom -dot- com is not in our records.

would be better received.

I'm no expert, but if I hear one more client report a "This program has
performed and illegal operation" type message, and think they're software
isn't licensed, I'ma gonna scream! ;-)

Enjoy the May 2-4!

Lisa Comeau
Accounts Representative, Client Services Group
Y2K/Exchange Project, Ontario Ministry of Health
Office: (416) 327 1112
Pager: (416) 715 9198
mailto: Lisa -dot- Comeau -at- moh -dot- gov -dot- on -dot- ca


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