> On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:17:19 -0500, ANDREA STREIGHT  wrote:
> > And pre-selection is open to sleazy manipulation, hoping user doesn't see
> > the pre-checked, hope he doesn't uncheck it.
> 
> As opposed to having an unchecked box labeled, "Don't send me
> marketing mail"?  Isn't the hope still that they don't see the box and
> don't check it?  Personallly, a checked box is a lot more visible to
> me than an unchecked one (and I'm MORE likely to verify that I want it
> checked if I see it pre-checked).

The default state for the action to which the checked box refers, and the default state of checkedness of the checked box itself have no connection. Ethically, the default state for the action should be passive; ie nothing happens. It doesn't matter whether the checked box is checked or unchecked, if the user does not click on it, nothing should happen. The unethical approach demands that the opposite happen - regardless of the default state of the checkbox *something* happens *unless* the user clicks on the checkbox. In each case the only significance of the *actual* state of the checkbox is on the server where the result of the form submission is processed.

[..]

HTH


"Cthulhu for President. Why vote for a lesser evil?" --Cthulhu.org