Should error messages apologize? (2013)

I feel like the severity of the error warrants different responses. The more critical the error, the more apologetic? Seems like unnecessary bloat in most cases.

Re: Should error messages apologize? (2013)

#6

Post by 082349872349872 » Wed, Feb 07, 2024, 8:23 AM UTC

Given the reference to "your administrator" the user-facing sorry seems fine.

IMNSHO, dev-facing error messages bifurcate:

    - errors for unsuitable input should not be apologetic:
        "inconsistent def'ns at foo:42 and bar:69"

    - errors for implementation limitations may be apologetic:
        "sorry, at foo:42 node bar has 69 attributes; this implementation supports at most 63"

Re: Should error messages apologize? (2013)

#7

Post by shp0ngle » Wed, Feb 07, 2024, 8:24 AM UTC

Just write "Abort, Retry, Fail?" and call it a day

It worked for Microsoft, it will work for you

Re: Should error messages apologize? (2013)

#8

Post by bigstrat2003 » Wed, Feb 07, 2024, 8:25 AM UTC

000ooo000 wrote: post #4

Yeesh, maybe this is why software grates on me so much these days. I know it's not human, and I don't want it to pretend it is.

Same. Spare me the fake displays of emotion, they're just annoying. For example, the Windows BSOD with its giant frowny face. I hate stuff like that.

Re: Should error messages apologize? (2013)

#9

Post by ivalm » Wed, Feb 07, 2024, 8:25 AM UTC

milgrim wrote: post #2

At least they should not accuse the user. “You broke Reddit” Come on, I don’t think so!

Honestly I always loved this, never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Re: Should error messages apologize? (2013)

#10

Post by system2 » Wed, Feb 07, 2024, 8:26 AM UTC

IMHO, super users are annoyed by the humanized responses. I don't want to see the error almost teasing me after I tried to accomplish something. Feels condescending. Especially the ones that start with Oops, Oh No etc.