[thelist] RE: checked or unchecked boxes
Scott Brady
dsbrady at gmail.com
Tue Oct 26 15:57:37 CDT 2004
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 13:57:06 -0500, ANDREA STREIGHT wrote:
> I'm only going to say this one more time (I hope)...
And I'm only going to this one more time (I hope)
> Users are in a hurry. Users are in a hurry. Users are in a hurry. (3x)
>
> They may inadvertently not notice a box is conveniently "pre-selected" for
> their web using pleasure.
You seem to have this idea that a checked selection is inherently a
"negative" option for a user. There is nothing inherent in an
unchecked checkbox that makes it a benign choice. They may
inadvertently not notice a box is conveniently "pre-deselected" for
their web using pleasure.
As someone else pointed out, the idea that a pre-checked box is
ABSOLUTELY wrong isn't correct. If a pre-checked box results in
nothing happening (the benign choice) then it should be.
> Direct marketing pros have been through all this decades ago.
See, here's part of the problem. I think you have this idea that a
checkbox is just used to turn spam on or off (because that seems to be
the only example you can provide). There are plenty of other uses for
a checkbox. One example I provided (regarding message posts on a
fairly popular web site).
> An "amazing" thread. Not if you value optimum user experience. The web
> exists for users, not web analysts or designers or marketers. User needs are
> priority.
I agree on this. But the user experience isn't inherently "optimum"
just because all checkboxes are unchecked by default.
But, you know, if you want to keep thinking that ALL pre-checked boxes
are evil, then go ahead.
All absolutes are wrong. (even this one :) )
I'm done with this thread.
Scott
--
-----------------------------------------
Scott Brady
http://www.scottbrady.net/
More information about the thelist
mailing list