When technology fails
Sometimes it’s really weird how things coincide. I read Joel’s Lazy Programmer, Didn’t Handle Exception and started noticing these daily.
A few days ago I bought tickets for the local theatre online. I never print out the receipt with the codes because I have a card that allows me to get the tickets on a ticket machine. Unfortunately for me the machines were out of order. I waited in line but the clerk told me she can’t really give me the tickets if I don’t have the codes. Yes, she knows it’s unfortunate the machines are not working but she really can’t give me the tickets. Since I was not to keen on accepting this fact she had to write the tickets herself.
I sometime think its funny when watching movies that some companies and/or government agencies have such contingency plans in place. When something like this happens I really hate it that some don’t. Fortunately Slovenia is small enough to usually get things right anyway.
What people don’t know is that all this is a part of user experience. There’s nothing wrong to send the people to a clerk when machines break down if they know why and can explain and help you. Sadly this is not a priority in our little country. Still.
June 2nd, 2006
by Marko
I absolutely agree. My contingency plan is to print out the codes in any case.
June 2nd, 2006
by Marko Mrdjenovic
That’s what I hate – they’re the big company that should have contingencies. I’d love to live in a world where you don’t have to think because they do…