[Lotus Notes Sucks: Example 74]
Incorrect Use of Ellipses
Problem
Ellipses appended to a command name on a menu serve to indicate to the user that more information is needed to execute that command.
For example, the Print command is labelled with ellipsis because the user is expected to select a printer.
In the case of Lotus Notes, many commands confusingly append ellipses where none are needed:
Looking at the File menu, it contains several commands that have ellipses that to do not need them: Print Preview and Document Properties
The Help menu contains the About Notes command that does not need ellipsis either.
Then there are commands that do need ellipses. For example, on the Actions menu, the Add Recipients submenu contains the to New Group Calendar Entry command that needs to know something about Titles and Members before it can execute the command.
Punctuation Check
I've received email message about ellipses vs. ellipsis. The former is the plural of the latter.
User Interface Guideline Violations
- Interface does not follow established conventions, that is, use ellipses appropriately.
- Interface does not do as the user expects.
- Forcing the user to deal with stupidity.
Conclusion
Lotus Notes sucks.