Tuesday 7 February 2012

"Your web site doesn't work"

The problem reports I see from some members of the public leaves me speechless.

I'm talking about problem reports submitted via ASPC's web site, using a
"Contact Us" form and selecting "Report a problem with the web site".

Until now, "Your web site doesn't work" was the most breathtaking.

Nothing at all had changed on the site for many days, and (literally) thousands of people were happily using it at the time this message was sent. So, basically, the site was fine.

So I was left to try to guess what this person was actually seeing when they decided to complain about something which was so obviously wrong that they need say no more.

But today brought something that gives it a run for its money: "lost ASPC REF NO."

A complaint which, although it gives more information, is still utterly inscrutable. Is he saying that the reference numbers are no longer appearing on properties? Anywhere? Throughout the web site? On a specific page? In emails? Or is the problem that one particular reference number no longer works. Could his problem have been solved by an appropriate use of a Post It? Or what?

It seems to me that the people who send messages like this are exhibiting a total failure to take into account the recipient's (complete lack of) understanding of their situation.

Of a kind that I think I have seen used as a diagnostic test for Autism-spectrum problems.

So, who's to say what counts as "normal"?

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