Created by Susan Parker (Unlicensed), last modified on Apr 17, 2014

4-17-14 discussion (Susan, John, Cathy)

Two types of errors:

  1. We simply cannot do what you are asking under any circumstances (Please enter antistatic % within range of X-Y)
  2. We cannot do what you just asked for, in combination with something you asked for previously. "In order to continue, we have to reset a field that you specified previously" (The thing you just asked us to do is possible if you undo a prior selection.)
  • We are in agreement that the first type is straightforward and only in need of some wordsmithing.
  • We agreed that the second type needs work.
    • We agreed that this message was based on previous decision that we should not undo a user's prior, deliberate selections without their consent.
    • We agreed that the solution from the email thread of "Do you wish to continue with (fill in the blank RE what we are resetting)" will not work well for all situations (eg when the list of things being reset is really long, like changing venting back to none after making a bunch of venting settings).
    • We agreed that it is too much effort at this stage to come up with rules to distinguish between some situations where you wouldn't even expect such an error message (like making a bunch of venting settings and then changing them to "none") from situations where you would expect such a message (e.g. type 2 errors that span different menus).

Possible solutions include:

  • A more generic message with access to additional details via a link or expansion like "This selection conflicts with your prior selection. " 
  • Messages tailored to 2-3 situations that fall into this category -requires going through all the situations. 

SP agreed to do some more analysis of the errors and the options around messaging.

Prior email thread

John and Cathy,

After studying your list some more and playing around trying to get some of these errors, I found another error message formula – instead of  “do you wish to continue? Yes/No”, it is “Please do this. ‘OK’  ”

 

First formula...

 

In the second formula, the user can only click OK and is supposed to make the correction that is described. Seems pretty straightforward.

Questions:

  • Is it safe to say that the 2d  formula goes with every error below where the ERR.MSG txt is “Please do [something].”? [make a choice, enter a value within the allowed range, etc.]
  • In the first formula, if you wish to continue and say yes, we make a choice for you – but the correction we’re about to make is not necessarily evident to the user, so there is a momentary pause for the user to wonder…  “Hmm, what’s going to happen if I say yes? If I say no?”

I am wondering if we could append “Do you wish to continue…” with whatever the corrective action is – “Do you wish to continue with full gauge”? “Do you wish to continue without Anti-Block?” etc.  

Alternatively, could we handle these all like the 2d formula – “Please enter a higher gauge or choose full gauge./ OK”; “Please choose a different material or de-select anti-block” – I realize there are probably good reasons for this formula being what it is – I do remember there were many lengthy discussions about these validations eons ago - but I thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.

  • Lastly, here’s a variant I found that just seems like a mistake – should not include “do you wish to continue?” (I get this when choosing a color and failing to select tint/color under opacity. )  But more importantly, could the blurb “Please enter mandatory fields” be more specific? (I don’t see this string in any of the ERR.MSG’s below…)

 

 

From: John Piette
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 1:20 PM
To: Susan Parker
Cc: Cathy MacRitchie
Subject: RE: validation errors

 

Susan,

 

This text is hardcoded:

 

The following validation errors have occurred:

 

And

 

Do you wish to continue?

 

YES and NO on the buttons.

 

 

Here is the quick version of the text in the middle. 

 

Format:

<index> Top of “WEB.FIELDNAME.VALIDATE” …

LINE#: ERR.MSG = “DISPLAYED TEXT”

 

Let me know if there is anything else you would like

 

< 1 > Top of "WEB.ANTIBLOCK.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 65 lines, 1,857 characters.

038:         ERR.MSG = "Additive Anti Block is not available for chosen material"

 

< 2 > Top of "WEB.ASPCT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 65 lines, 1,857 characters.

038:          ERR.MSG = "Please enter an Antistat Percent within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 3 > Top of "WEB.BTWNHOLES.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 141 lines, 5,311 characters.

114:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter Inches Between Holes within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 4 > Top of "WEB.COLOR.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 74 lines, 2,173 characters.

033:               ERR.MSG = "Color must be Pink for AmineFree Pink"

036:               ERR.MSG = "Color cannot be selected for Postal Approved"

039:               ERR.MSG = "Color cannot be selected for Clarity"

042:               ERR.MSG = "Pink cannot be selected for AmineFree Clear/Color"

 

< 5 > Top of "WEB.DEPTH.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 132 lines, 5,086 characters.

071:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Depth within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

105:         ERR.MSG = DISPLAY.MSG

 

< 6 > Top of "WEB.FOLDED.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 81 lines, 2,274 characters.

054:         ERR.MSG = "Folded Option isn't available with your other selections"

 

< 7 > Top of "WEB.FROMBTM.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 88 lines, 2,820 characters.

061:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter Inches from Bottom within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 8 > Top of "WEB.FROMSIDE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 135 lines, 5,162 characters.

108:          ERR.MSG = "Please enter Inches from Side within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 9 > Top of "WEB.FULLGAUGE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 82 lines, 2,709 characters.

038:               ERR.MSG = "Furniture Bags < 1.15mil must be Full Gauge"

040:               ERR.MSG = "Mil Spec < 4.40mil must be Full Gauge"

042:               ERR.MSG = "Opaque < 2.90mil must be Full Gauge"

044:               ERR.MSG = "Non Slip < 1.10mil must be Full Gauge"

046:               ERR.MSG = "Gauge < 1.00 must be Full Gauge"

048:               ERR.MSG = "VCI < 2.00mil must be Full Gauge"

050:               ERR.MSG = "Non Scratch < 1.10mil must be Full Gauge"

 

< 10 > Top of "WEB.GAUGE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 83 lines, 2,494 characters.

056:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Gauge within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 11 > Top of "WEB.HIGHSLIP.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 71 lines, 1,923 characters.

044:         ERR.MSG = "Additive High Slip is not available for chosen material"

 

< 12 > Top of "WEB.HOLEPLACE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 67 lines, 2,014 characters.

038:         ERR.MSG = "Vent Hole Placement is not available for chosen Vent Hole Type"

 

< 13 > Top of "WEB.HOLESIDE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 76 lines, 2,590 characters.

034:            ERR.MSG = "Hole side must be 'Both Sides' for Std Mattress Venting"

037:            ERR.MSG = "Hole Side is not required for Micro-Perforation"

040:            ERR.MSG = "For widths < 6.00, a hole side of 'Both Sides' is invalid"

043:            ERR.MSG = "For widths > 16.00, a hole side of 'Center' is invalid"

 

< 14 > Top of "WEB.HOLETYPE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 84 lines, 2,603 characters.

043:               ERR.MSG = "Venting is not available for gusseted sheeting"

046:               ERR.MSG = "Venting is not available for entered Width"

049:               ERR.MSG = "Venting is not available for entered Length"

052:               ERR.MSG = "Venting is not available for entered Material"

 

< 15 > Top of "WEB.IMAGEHGT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 69 lines, 1,957 characters.

041:            ERR.MSG = "Please enter an Image Height within the range of ":HGTMIN:" - ":HGTMAX

 

< 16 > Top of "WEB.IMAGEWID.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 62 lines, 1,843 characters.

034:            ERR.MSG = "Please enter an Image Width within the range of ":WIDTH.MIN:" - ":WIDTH.MAX

 

< 17 > Top of "WEB.INKCOLOR.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 81 lines, 2,624 characters.

036:            ERR.MSG = "White Ink cannot be used on a White item"

042:            ERR.MSG = "Only Black or White Ink available for AmineFree Pink items"

047:            ERR.MSG = "Only White Ink can be used with Item Color"

053:            ERR.MSG = "Only Black or White Ink can be used with Item Color"

 

< 18 > Top of "WEB.LENGTH.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 89 lines, 2,654 characters.

062:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Length within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 19 > Top of "WEB.MATERIAL.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 55 lines, 1,543 characters.

Quit "WEB.MATERIAL.VALIDATE" in file "DBP" unchanged.

 

< 20 > Top of "WEB.METALLOCENE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 65 lines, 1,788 characters.

038:         ERR.MSG = "Additive Metallocene is not available for chosen material"

 

< 21 > Top of "WEB.METALPCT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 65 lines, 1,826 characters.

038:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter an Metallocene Percent within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 22 > Top of "WEB.NBRHOLES.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 122 lines, 4,789 characters.

095:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter Nbr of Holes within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 23 > Top of "WEB.OPACITY.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 77 lines, 2,279 characters.

032:            ERR.MSG = "Opacity cannot be selected when Color is Clear"

036:            ERR.MSG = "Opacity must be 'Tint' for Blue VCI"

040:            ERR.MSG = "Opaque can only be selected when Color is Black"

 

< 24 > Top of "WEB.PACKING.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 57 lines, 1,581 characters.

031:         ERR.MSG = 'Cradlepacking is not allowed for Width < 10"'

 

< 25 > Top of "WEB.PACKOUT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 67 lines, 1,878 characters.

047:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Packout within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

049:            ERR.MSG=ERR.MSG:" or change packaging to Cradlepacked"

 

< 26 > Top of "WEB.PLATEDESC.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 51 lines, 1,368 characters.

Quit "WEB.PLATEDESC.VALIDATE" in file "DBP" unchanged.

 

< 27 > Top of "WEB.PLATENBR.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 126 lines, 4,653 characters.

Quit "WEB.PLATENBR.VALIDATE" in file "DBP" unchanged.

 

< 28 > Top of "WEB.PRINTDIR.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 60 lines, 1,760 characters.

033:         ERR.MSG = "Print Direction will be changed to ":FORCE.DIR

 

< 29 > Top of "WEB.READORIENT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 58 lines, 1,706 characters.

031:         ERR.MSG = "Reading Orientation is not allowed unless Print Direction is Horizontal"

 

< 30 > Top of "WEB.REQUESTEDQTY.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 50 lines, 1,297 characters.

033:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Quantity within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 31 > Top of "WEB.UVI.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 64 lines, 1,676 characters.

037:         ERR.MSG = "Additive UVI is not available for chosen material"

 

< 32 > Top of "WEB.UVIPCT.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 65 lines, 1,778 characters.

038:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter an UVI/UVA Percent within the range of ":LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 33 > Top of "WEB.WIDTH.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 113 lines, 3,828 characters.

077:         ERR.MSG = ERR.PREFIX:'please enter '

079:         ERR.MSG := " the 'Folded Width' within the range of "

081:         ERR.MSG := " a Width within the range of "

084:         ERR.MSG = "Please enter a Width within the range of "

086:         ERR.MSG := LOW.RANGE:" - ":HIGH.RANGE

 

< 34 > Top of "WEB.ZIPCODE.VALIDATE" in "DBP", 81 lines, 2,207 characters.

036:         ERR.MSG = "Dash is not allowed in Zip Code - format is 5N or 6AN"

042:         ERR.MSG = "Spaces are not allowed in Zip Code - format is 5N or 6AN"

054:         ERR.MSG = "Invalid Zip Code"

 

 

From: Cathy MacRitchie
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:24 PM
To: John Piette (jpiette@laddawn.com)
Subject: FW: validation errors

 

Hi,

 

I had a conversation with Susan on what she is looking for here.  Is there an easy way to find these in the UI?  Give me a call to discuss when you have a minute.

 

Thanks, Cathy

 

From: Susan Parker
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:24 AM
To: Cathy MacRitchie
Cc: Owen Richardson; Steven Borowick
Subject: validation errors

 

Cathy,

 

The design team would like to take a crack at wordsmithing error messages. When it is convenient, would it be possible to get an inventory of all of the validation errors for the new website? For example:

 

 

s

 

This “inventory” could take whatever form is easiest for you to produce -

  • A screenshot of each
  • A list of triggering events so we can generate our own screenshots
  • A text file or spreadsheet containing the source material, such that we can make out what text is:
    • in the header;
    • in the body; and
    • on the buttons

 

Any questions, let me know, thanks!

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Susan Parker | Senior Project Manager  |  LADDAWN, 155 Jackson Road, Devens, MA  01434-5614

(: 978.563.6148 | 800.446.3639, x6148 | Ê: 978.772.7792 |  www.laddawn.com | Twitter @Laddawn

 

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