FreeLists / arachne / [arachne] Error Messages(was Re:the empire strikes back)

["John Sparks" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Arachne at FreeLists---The Arachne Fan Club!

Hi Ray,

Definitely like your idea that when the software knows that an error
is present,
it lets the user know.

I guess different people will have different preferences on the
detail.

Personally I would look for a consistent scheme suitable for a range
of
errors. Maybe some differences depending on error severity. e.g. beep
for more serious errors. Maybe only use 5 sec delay if the user needs
to
take immediate corrective action?

Where delay not used to help highlight message, the use of an error
log
file could be useful, but some potential pitfalls.

If you do want to beep on non-severe errors, perhaps this could be
made configurable?

Just a few random thoughts
John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Andrews" <randrews@xxxxxx>
To: "Arachne4DOS" <arachne4dos@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 5:16 PM
Subject: [a4dos-list] Re:the empire strikes back


> arachne4dos @ coollist.com General List
>
> Send technical and development to arachne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> All:
>
> I had this exchange with Glenn. Since it is important that
> we developers have some basic understanding of what our
> customers want when it comes to the 'look and feel' of
> Arachne, I'm forwarding this message to the general list.
>
> FROM ME TO GLENN:
>
> Ok all done.  BTW, I think you'll like my little GIF animation
> failure handler -- if you don't have enough memory, she beeps
> prints a helpful message on the status line advising you to
> increase your XMSforAllGifsKB, waits 5 seconds for you to read it
> and then continues.  No longer should anywone get the idea that
> Arachne can't handle animated GIF's, the problem, dear Brutus,
> is in ourselves ;-)
>
> -- Arachne 181:B-6
>
>
> FROM GLENN TO ME:
>
> ====================================================
> Arachne Insight 3.87.2, GNUpyright (G)1997-2000
> Arachne Labs (now being maintained by glennmcc)
>
> On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:19:43 -0500, Glenn McCorkle wrote:
>
> > Ah, sounds just like that blasted paper clip. :(
> > You _are_ getting more "Windowfied" all the time... ain't ya ?
>
> MY RESPONSE:
>
> Damn you, that was a rotten thing to say ;-/
>
> But seriously, as time goes on I become more and more Winphobic as
> I see more deeply what a lie it all is.  Windows wouldn't give you
> a simple message pointing you directly to the source of a problem,
nope,
> you'd have to summon the paper clip and then try and get it to
understand
> your problem by typing in keywords and you'd spend half an hour
doing
> that and still get nowhere. If you ever did find an answer, it would
> be that you need to do things Bill's way and stop trying to do
things
> different.
>
> I believe that things should be as hard as they need to be but
> no harder. Help should be proactive where possible, and direct and
> complete where not.  If an animation won't run and the reason is
> some setting, why not let the user know?
>
> Maybe you're right in a way -- I do like what Windows is *supposed*
to
> do (but doesn't).  I like simplicity but not at the expence of
> customisation, I don't believe in 'featureitis'. I think that
> help should be where you need it. I like DOS.
>
>
> SO WHAT SAY THE PEOPLE?
>
> Is my little status line message creeping windowisation?  Have I
> been assimilated? Am I an agent of Goldstein?
>
> -- Arachne 181:B-6
>
> Send operational and technical questions to :-
>
> developers list; arachne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
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>
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