Is There a Better Way for Confirming Passwords?
Posted by namit | Filed under Online Strategy, Technology
The defining characteristic of a password field is that it abstracts text as dots. While the intention of this behavior is understandable (it makes users feel secure and protects from prying eyes), the unintended effect is that it creates a usability problem. Users can’t tell if they’ve entered a password incorrectly until after the site’s validation informs them. It’s like typing with your eyes closed.
The most common solution for the password field problem on registration pages is to require people to confirm their password in a second field. Again, the intention is understandable (it cuts down on mistakes), but the reality is that sites are requiring people to deal with two password fields. Here’s an example of the common solution with some JavaScript validation:
- Password
- Confirm Password
‘Human error’ hits Google search
Posted by Abdel | Filed under Online Strategy
Google’s search service has been hit by technical problems, with users unable to access search results. For a period on Saturday, all search results were flagged as potentially harmful, with users warned that the site “may harm your computer”.
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