Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Similar issue: dialog boxes which ask a question using words like cancel, continue, yes, no, or okay, when the question is followed by buttons using similar or identical words, but whose meanings are the opposite of the question.

Example from a commercial site:

    Are you sure you want to cancel the changes you made?

    [ ] OK   [ ] Cancel
To clarify, 'OK' is "cancel the changes" whereas 'cancel' is "cancel the cancel" :-(

If the dialog question were worded as:

    Do you want to apply the changes you made?

    [ ] OK   [ ] Cancel
with the appropriate logic reversal, it would have been clear.

I view sites with issues like this as I would a corporate office with damaged or out-dated signage - a hint that the products or services offered inside are unlikely to be any better in quality.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: