[clug] Software ergonomics
Bryan Kilgallin
bryan at netspeed.com.au
Tue Jan 27 07:11:59 MST 2015
Following is an explanation of an error message. I am sure that on
receipt, I would have quickly sussed what was wrong and corrected it.
__________
{I'm typing the following command under Ubuntu Linux:
route add default gw 192.168.3.2 eth0
But it is giving me out the following error:
*SIOCADDRT: File exists*
How do I fix this problem?
This error normally displayed when you try to modify or or add a new
routing IP address. For example, when you set the same route multiple
times you will get this error.
Understanding SIOCADDRT: File exists Message
1. SIOC: *S*erial *I*nput *O*utput *C*ontroller.
2. ADD: *ADD* (addition).
3. RT: *R*ou*T*e (routing ip).
4. File exists - Routing is already configured so delete wrong one and
add the new one.}
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/siocaddrt-file-exists-ubuntu-linux-error-solution/
__________
My concern here is for software ergonomics or human interface design. I
have experience of reporting FISH shell documentation errors to people
maintaining that.
As explained above that error message means as follows.
"The serial input/output controller advises that the address route you
tried to add was already configured! So it suggests you delete the wrong
address and add a new one."
Instead, the user was actually told "SIOCADDRT: File exists". Which
seems much less human-comprehensible!
Can anyone here advise where (forum/e-mail) I might lodge lodge such a
complaint with a relevant authority? Perhaps I might pass on a user
suggestion to the relevant maintainers. I think it would be nice to be
able to switch error reporting to verbose!
--
www.netspeed.com.au/bryan/
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