1. Anonymous

    08 January 2010 12:43pm

    Hi all.

    Our company is currently developing a page similar to a Page Not Found / 404 Error page, but for issues with software installation. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction with regard to some well designed / functional pages?

    Thanks.

     

     

  2. Chris Baker

    Freelance Project Manager at Chris Baker FPM

    19 January 2010 12:35pm

    Chris Baker

    General advice any good?

    1) Describe what happend in non-technical terms and Provide reassurance if possible

    2) Make sure there is a next step for the customer to do - shoudl htey start teh installation again? Should they contact you

    3) Don't use tech-speak language (I've ranted abot this common IT sin here http://usabilitynotes.typepad.com/usabilitynotes/2009/04/your-message-is-for-your-customer-not-for-you.html )

     

    Hope that helps

  3. Matthew Curry Silver

    Head of Ecommerce at Lovehoney

    19 January 2010 15:23pm

    Matthew Curry

    Thinking about this - I'mnot sure if a 404 analogy fits.

    With a 404, the user is looking for something directly

    With a failed installation, it is the installation procedure that is looking, not the user.

    Can you give us some more info about what the installation programme is doing which might lead it to not finding a required resource?

  4. dan barker Bronze

    E-Business Consultant at Dan Barker

    19 January 2010 16:20pm

    dan barker

    In general, the main functions of a 404 are:

    • 1. To try & persuade the visitor not to immediately exit the site.
    • 2. To try & point them toward things they may have been looking for, if you can make a best guess.

    With a software installation, I'd have thought the main objectives of a 'failed' page would be:

    • 1. Try and persuade them not to give up on installation.
    • 2. Try and point them toward a solution

    following those, you could include:

    • Explanations/solutions for common errors.
    • A 'report this error' link, passing any debug info that would help you fix it in future revisions.
    • A 'contact us' box for assistance
    • A live chat function for assistance (depending on how much this is worth to you)
    • Downloads for any extra libraries/etc they may need

    Hope that's some use,

     

    dan

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