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
-- notexactly, Jun 16 2017

https://www.adafruit.com/product/2751 [hippo, Jun 16 2017]

https://www.tsohost...&domain=approximate [hippo, Jun 16 2017]

Sorry [blissmiss]—title suggestions welcome.
-- notexactly, Jun 16 2017


Less exciting than a flailing robot arm, I know, but you could do this with a USB thermal receipt printer (see link)
-- hippo, Jun 16 2017


//Approximate Industries// marked for real-world implementation
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 16 2017


See link - http://approximate.industries/ is available for £9.49/yr
-- hippo, Jun 16 2017


In the case of certain repeat offenders, the robot arm could be programmed to slap the note onto the user's forehead.
-- Sgt Teacup, Jun 16 2017


Maybe the message could be engraved on a bullet and then fired into what passes for the luser's brain ?
-- 8th of 7, Jun 16 2017


Maybe error messages could be written in English?
-- RayfordSteele, Jun 16 2017


Error: Your printer and robotic arm have experienced an unrecoverable error: 1234 null: ef372d critical link protocol not found.

Please refer to technical support.
-- bhumphrys, Jun 16 2017


[ ] Report this error to Approximate Industries support.

[X] Never show this message again.
-- determinism89, Jun 16 2017


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.

The £9.49 seems to be just an introductory price, unfortunately.

The arm is programmed to communicate its own errors in American Sign Language.
-- notexactly, Jun 16 2017


Just the middle finger, then ?
-- 8th of 7, Jun 16 2017



random, halfbakery