Re: Improving the first contact with Ada

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:59:49 +0200, Georg Bauhaus wrote:

>> Record the time between window creation and the cancel button press. If the
>> delay is too short, give another warning. After tree warnings the operator
>> receives one point. Three points are mailed to his superior. (:-))
> 
> Credit point systems won't work here, though repeated pop ups
> could create more work heat throughout the organization.
> Case in question: an operator sees a dialog window and has a healthy
> attitude towards dialog windows. That is, he/she presses ENTER after
> ignoring both any text and, quite naturally, the consequences
> of dismissing the dialog which is actually a rescue dialog.  Using a
> big red button instead of a standard gray OK did not change behavior.
> (Some handbags are red, too, after all...)
> 
> The dialog said, in attempt to get the operator's attention,
> 
> "If you press ENTER, you will get fired!"
> 
> Guess what?
> This message has no effect on the operators' attitude
> towards dialog windows. The dialogs look exactly like
> at home where they get in the way (and out of the way!)
> without noticeable consequence. Like blowflies on the screen.
> 
> He/she won't get fired, either.
> 
> Reasons:
> - Firing requires work in superior organizational units,
> and recruiting efforts.
> - There isn't a massive threat from the insurance company
> in case of not so massive consequences of dialog dismissal.
> - Effects on others (clients, passengers, ...) overall are such
> that they do not affect superiors' standing, hence provide
> no incentive to request effort and/or money for a solution.
> 
> Therefore, occasional itching (error dialogs) can be safely
> ignored.
> 
> Solution?
> Ignorance is not so easily employed when there is nothing to
> ignore! Therefore, a strategy might be to disable all
> interface functions after dialog dismissal and require attention:
> Print in bold letters:
> 
>   "You Lose!"
> 
> This creates ... panic, cynicism, lies?
> 
> But! There is attention, at last!
> And ... a need for work, making phone calls, experts sent for etc.
> Work that nobody wanted to know about in the first place,
> right? :-)

Well, seriously speaking, the rule is, never show anything that does not
require a choice (operation's interference). Warning dialog does not offer
any choice, down with it.

As for recording operator's actions, it is not just a joke. For example a
forklift truck control system we designed can log some driver's actions.
Drivers are identified when they turn the truck on. So the manager can
study the driving style of the workers when trucks get damaged or costs
raise. If the trade union leaned that... (:-))

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de