[Lotus Notes Sucks: Example 4]
Opening an Attachment
Problem
When I double-click an attachment icon, sometimes I see this dialog box:
Analysis
Isn't that what the Save As... command is for? And what is an "object" anyway? What object? Does Lotus Notes mean the attachment? I am forced to use Lotus Notes; do not force me to learn object-oriented programming terminology! How about not showing me this warning ever again?!
User Interface Guideline Violations
- Interrupting the user's work flow with a pointless dialog box.
- Allowing the user to turn off a "feature," but only for "this session." If I never, ever want to see this stupid dialog box again...well that's too bad.
- Forcing the user to deal with stupidity.
Comment from a User
I received this email message from a user:
Your example of "opening an attachment" clearly states an error with an Object. An EMBEDDED OBJECT. This is not an attachment, it's simply because whoever sent you the mail embedded their file instead of attaching it.
No one likes embedded files/controls. Blame the sender!
First, thank you for writing. I appreciate the feedback. My response is the following: It is not clearly an error with an object. From a user's point of view, this makes no sense. Would the explanation of embedded objects versus attachments make sense to a secretary?
When it comes to e-mail, I can enter text and attach files and move mail around in folders. If it looks like an attachment, it should behave like an attachment. I don't care if it is an embedded object. If I right-click an embedded object, a shortcut menu should appear that makes sense. Ordinary users of email applications should not have to know what an embedded object is.
Conclusion
Lotus Notes sucks.