[thelist] Is this a list?

[Jeff Howden]

Amanda,

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> From: Amanda Kuek [mailto:amandakuek at gmail.com] 
> 
> > Instead, provide the user with sufficient undo
> > capabilities.  In this case a simple mechanism for 
> > "unchecking" their commitment to that item would be
> > more than sufficient.
> 
> The problem I have here is that the list is completely
> anonymous. I'm not sure how to go about making sure
> that only the people who checked an item could UNCHECK
> the item, without some sort of login, which I have been
> told is out of the question.
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Simple, make them provide their email address when checking an item.  Then,
simply store the email address they provide with the item they checked.  If
they wish to remove an item, request their email address.  If it matches the
one on record, remove the check.  This has a hidden benefit of adding in the
confirmation layer as well.

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> I do agree that "Are you sure?" style messages are a tad
> insulting (except in the case of my parents, who click
> on anything).
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No, even then it's still insulting to them when it continues to pop up even
when they learn what a particular button does and click it intentionally.
Usability experts will agree with me.  Take out the "are you sure" silliness
and make sure there is sufficient undo capabilities.

I'd suggest reading About Face by Alan Cooper.

http://tinyurl.com/82c8o

Enjoy,

 [>] Jeff Howden
     jeff at jeffhowden.com
     http://jeffhowden.com/