James,

I just have to ask...Did you come up with this list yourself?

PF

>A lot of user-interface implementations I have reviewed have been cumbersome and hard to understand. We should take a hint from the consumer products industry and make out interfaces truely user-friendly.
>
>Here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.
>
>On Sears hairdryer:
>"Do not use while sleeping."
>(Gee, that's the only time I have to do my hair.)
>
>On a bag of Fritos:
>"You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
>(The shoplifter special.)
>
>On a bar of Dial soap:
>"Directions: Use like regular soap."
>(And that would be. . . how . . .?)
>
>On some Swann frozen dinners:
>"Serving suggestion: Defrost."
>(But it's *just* a suggestion.)
>
>On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box):
>"Do not turn upside down."
>(Too late!)
>
>On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding:
>"Product will be hot after heating."
>(And night follows day . . . )
>
>On packaging for a Rowenta iron:
>"Do not iron clothes on body."
>(But wouldn't this save a lot of time?)
>
>On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine:
>"Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this
>medication."
>(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents
>if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off
>those forklifts.)
>
>On Nytol Sleep Aid:
>"Warning: May cause drowsiness."
>(One would hope.)
>
>On a brand of Christmas lights:
>"For indoor or outdoor use only."
>(As opposed to what other kind of use?)
>
>On a Japanese-made food processor:
>"Not to be used for the other use."
>(I gotta admit, I'm dying of curiosity.)
>
>On Sainsbury's peanuts:
>"Warning: contains nuts."
>(Talk about a newsflash.)
>
>On an American Airlines packet of nuts:
>"Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
>(Step 3: Fly Delta.)
>
>On a Swedish chainsaw:
>"Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
>(Was there a spate of this happening somewhere?)
>
>Regards,