h a l f b a k e r yI didn't say you were on to something, I said you were on something.
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Some computer users are reported to go to the help desk/call the help line/etc.
complaining about an error message that popped up, but then are unable to tell the
tech support person what the message said, because they closed it without reading it.
Remedying this is the aim of a new product from
Approximate Industries. It consists
of a piece of software installed on the user's computer, and a robot arm. When an error
message appears onscreen, the software takes the message, formats it as a letter, and
prints it out using the user's printer. The robot arm then picks it up off the printer,
applies a piece of sticky tape, and sticks it on the user's screen.
This is expected to get the user's attention better, to not be as easily dismissable, to
allow reference to the message even after dismissal, and to allow reference to the
message for forensic purposes in case the user messes something up badly and the
computer is no longer usable.
The product is intended to be installed by tech support technicians on the computers
of people who exhibit the above mentioned behavior.
N/A
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2751
[hippo, Jun 16 2017]
https://www.tsohost...&domain=approximate
[hippo, Jun 16 2017]
[link]
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Sorry [blissmiss]—title suggestions welcome. |
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Less exciting than a flailing robot arm, I know, but
you could do this with a USB thermal receipt printer
(see link) |
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//Approximate Industries// marked for real-world implementation |
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See link - http://approximate.industries/ is
available for £9.49/yr |
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In the case of certain repeat offenders, the robot arm could be programmed to slap the note onto the user's forehead. |
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Maybe the message could be engraved on a bullet and then fired into what passes for the luser's brain ? |
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Maybe error messages could be written in English? |
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Error: Your printer and robotic arm have experienced an unrecoverable error: 1234 null: ef372d critical link protocol not found. |
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Please refer to technical support. |
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[ ] Report this error to Approximate Industries support. |
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[X] Never show this message again. |
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We did consider using such a thermal printer, but we
found that the users in question paid more attention to
letter-looking printouts than to receipt-looking
ones. |
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The £9.49 seems to be just an introductory price,
unfortunately. |
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The arm is programmed to communicate its own errors
in American Sign Language. |
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Just the middle finger, then ? |
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