1) The programmer can always determine what is a "user resolvable" error
2) Some master list of error codes exists, and the programmer(s) always correctly and immediately update this master list the moment they require a new error code.
3) There is a well staffed and well funded support desk to immediately respond to user concerns, and the users can get access to it.
My recommendation is
a) Never use error codes.
b) It is the job of the software on a mobile device to
i) avoid errors that the user can't resolve
ii) to resolve errors the user can't resolve
c) If you have to show a message for a abnormal error condition, then show a brief, but specific error message. Then resolve the problem.
Most companies/people who sell Palm OS software price their products under $30, and consequently would lose money if each customer just made a single support call. You can only make money at this level of software pricing if your software largely eliminates the need for support calls.
Subject: RE: error description From: "Rinko-Gay, William" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 10:52:34 -0400 X-Message-Number: 16
My opinion:
Users should not be given detailed error information on any problem they are not expected to be able to resolve on their own. Errors such as, "Please verify your username and password and try again" are reasonable to give to a user.
If the error will be corrected by support personnel, give the user instructions on how to contact support and what information to give to support, but don't bother them with the details that only the support person needs. You could instruct the user to contact technical support and tell them the error code was xx. Tech support should be able to look up the code and provide the correct fix/response.
BillOn Behalf Of Vu Pham Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 10:30 AM To: Palm Developer Forum Subject: error description
I would like to ask for your experience on this problem :
When an app gets an "too technical" error condition, will you display it as an error code or a descriptive string ?
For example, to connect to a server, it may have different kinds of errors : no server found, protocol not supported, invalid cert, cert expiration, timeout, connection made but no reply after that .....
In this case, which one will cause less annoying to the *users* : an error code, or an explanation ?
Roger Stringer Marietta Systems, Inc. (www.mariettasystems.com)
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