{"id":10511,"date":"2014-07-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brand.gamania.com\/gvoice\/10511\/"},"modified":"2020-09-15T10:48:16","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T02:48:16","slug":"i-dont-want-to-talk-to-machines-a-surprising-way-of-speaking-to-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brand.gamania.com\/gvoice\/en\/10511\/","title":{"rendered":"I don\u2019t want to talk to machines\u2014a surprising way of speaking to users"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t want to talk to machines\u2014a surprising way of speaking to users<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some sudden situations we may run into when we go online, in addition to internet disconnect, computer breaks down, the most frequently encountered instance is \u2018system message\u2019. There are tons of system messages, some reminds you that you\u2019ve selected the capital lock, some tells you your internet has been disconnected, some informs you the user name is not available. Most of the time, these messages are rigid, but the following message should bring a smile to your face:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u25b2\u201cwe have to check if you\u2019re human.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This message is shown after you\u2019ve entered your user name or passwords wrong for the 3rd<\/sup> time. Isn\u2019t it cute? After reading such cute note, even if the problem may be the system, it seems forgivable all of the sudden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s take a look at the message that makes people frown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oops, you entered the wrong user name or password and the box popped out, telling you all these messages! It gives you a headache trying to remember the password already, after reading these words, I think no one wants to re-login again. If you try to read it through, you\u2019ll realize there is too much information and steps in the description. After you close the information window, there is no way you can remember all that, so in fact it is not helpful to the users!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another common system message is the checking message box you see when you are registering for membership. The systme will check the validity of your user name and how strong your password is, or tell you that you must receive verification letter etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the registration page full of text where too much description under each key-in box, you even have to click the \u2018check\u2019 button on the right after you finish entering. Isn\u2019t that just tire you out? What makes it worse is that most users don\u2019t really read those messages! In fact, there are better ways to approach users. We don\u2019t have to inform users their current status by stiff and fixed word boxes, but lively vocabularies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Use \u201cUser name looks great\u201d to replace \u201cthis user name can be used\u201d; \u201cPerfect password\u201d to replace \u201cPassword strength: strong, middle, weak\u201d. The content of the message has to be something that the user understands! In addition, user friendly words will make the experience whole world different and even create the atmosphere that the website is sensitive and knows you the best. It give people lasting impression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one likes to talk to the cold machines. Some website may suit this kind of \u2018cool\u2019 style but with the age range of online users expanding from elementary school students to seniors (some may say even their pets), how could we not cater to their preference (not including pets!). We should seek to make their experience online more smoothly and satisfying, with no worries whatsoever on the complicated system messages. How do we convey our messages appropriately?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic elements to consider when conveying a message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Be concise: convey the meaning within 30 words, don\u2019t use unnecessary words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be simple: don\u2019t use too many technical words and don\u2019t elaborate on every detail. Most users don\u2019t really read them anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be friendly: use \u2018you\u2019 to address the user so as to close the distance, make them feel safe and happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.To the point: put the most important message within the first two words of the sentence so people can quickly grasp what the main idea is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays the internet enables many different ways of interactions, from the early \u2018xxx, welcome\u2019 login message to now a mobile page-turning calendar. We\u2019re moving towards a more humane interaction. The cold and aloof feeling you get from a machine no longer exists. The internet has come alive, it not only gives or receives, the best example is Google search engine: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u25b2Sometimes when you have a typo in your search, the search engine will ask you, \u201cAre you searching for: xxx?\u201d This extra feedback is also an interaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u25b2On the contrary, Yahoo\u2019s search engine gives off the more \u2018serious\u2019 feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we could think from the user\u2019s perspective and create more lively and approachable environment instead of stiff technical language or cold machine, the light-hearted and humorous approach will be appreciated by users a lot more and prompt them into staying in the website to explore more. That in itself would be considered a wonderful user experience! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus example: very user-friendly manual<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you still afraid you don\u2019t understand the mobile phone manual? Afraid no more, this you can definitely understand! Oh, but it may be a bit waste of papers (maybe it can be replaced by other materials?) and you have to know English too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n