Kevin Noone Blog 8

Poka-yoke - Inline validation exists on Wufoo through their use of the settings option and the display of what the form will look like itself. As soon as you make a change in the settings, that change is shown in the form draft on the right. This allows the user to see things that they might not like on their form, before finalizing it, therefor reducing the number of times that a user messes something major up.

Document-modal message - Just like the example given in the book of redesigning rude behavior, on Wufoo if you were to attempt to navigate away from a page you have been working on before saving, it stops you and confirms that you want to leave without saving. That message box is built inside the browser, it can be moved around, but you can not proceed with what you were doing until you make a decision.

write helpful error messages - Wufoo offers very clear, well written explanations for each seperate setting in the settings tab. If the user is unsure of what that specific setting will change, they can click on the question mark. The result of clicking on the question mark is actually an example of modeless. While reading the very helpful and well written description of what that setting does, you can also change which field you are working on.

Create forgiving software - Wufoo allows the user to very easily experiment with their forms. They are able to add a field and then very easily deleting it without taking any other steps backwards in their progress. This gives the user confidence to explore the application and everything that it has to offer.