[RULE] My Computer Info

[Jason Bechtel]

Well, "n/a" stands for "not applicable" which
means it doesn't make sense for this item.  An
example of a good use of n/a would be the section
on the sound card.  If the value in the first
field is "none" (no sound card), then the value
in any subsequent sound card fields should be
"n/a" because these questions are inapplicable
with a sound-less system.

There are many bad uses of "n/a" in this example
report.  You can't say that the motherboard is
not applicable!  You also can't say that there
isn't one ("none"), because we all know there is...

I think Eugene's suggestion of an "unsure" option
is a good one.  This is likely what people mean
when the currently select "n/a".

Jason


---- Begin Original Message ----
 From: "Eugene Wong" <disposable_eugene at hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 00:27:16 -0700
Subject: [RULE] My Computer Info

I finally looked @ the info for my RULE install.
It is incorrect. So here is 
the corrected version. If there are any
questions, just ask.

        PC OWNER : Eugene T.S. Wong, please
contact me through the mailing list
        BOX TYPE : Desktop
        BRAND OF PC : n/a
        CPU : 486dx [or 486sx]
        CPU SPEED : 33 MHz [I think]
        MOTHERBOARD : n/a
        RAM SIZE : 8 MB
        RAM TYPE : n/a
        HD SIZE : approx 500 MB
        HD MODEL : n/a
        HD BUS : n/a
        CDROM MODEL : none
        CDROM SPEED : 0
        CDROM BUS : none
        GRAPHIC CARD MODEL : n/a
        GRAPHIC CARD RAM : 0
        GRAPHIC CARD BUS : n/a
        MOUSE : n/a
        KEYBOARD : 101 US
        MODEM INTERNAL: none
        MODEM EXTERNAL : none
        MODEM INTERNAL BUS : none
        MODEM EXTERNAL BUS : none
        SOUND CARD : none
        SOUND CARD BUS : none
        NETWORK CARD : D-Link [NE compatible]
        NETWORK CARD BUS : n/a
        OTHER CARD : n/a
        MONITOR TYPE :  crt
        MONITOR SIZE : 0
        MONITOR RESOLUTION : n/a
        MONITOR DEPTH : n/a
        MONITOR FREQ VERT : n/a
        MONITOR FREQ HORZ : n/a
        PRINTER : n/a

I would like to suggest that there be another
option other than "n/a". As far as I understand,
"n/a" is the same as "none". Maybe the template
should suggest, both "unsure" and "none" for
text, & 9991234 for numbers. I say that in case
somebody actually has a zero. I'm not sure if
anybody would really need a zero, but I suggest
it just in case. I don't mind either way. If you
do decide to make that change, then I'll send my
computer info again, with the relevant changes.

Also, if the user is having trouble understanding
what certain fields mean, then it should be
obvious that he can look @ other pages. However
it may be wise to mention it, just in case. For
example, "If you are having trouble understanding
what kind of information is being asked, then try
looking at some of the other pages.".

---- End Original Message ----



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