Alert windows are the single easiest way to make usability mistakes. Most often, they are used to show error messages. The problem is that they are used *far* more often than they should be and the error messages that are used in them are too technical for a regular user to understand or are just plain useless. They are also used to ask the user a question. More often than not, the question that is asked could have just as easily been answered by the developer, had he thought ahead a bit. Do just about whatever it takes to gracefully handle errors without bothering the user. Only when all other options have been exhausted should you show an error message. For help on writing good error messages, see Chapter 6.

Before you ask the user a question, be sure that it is one which you honestly can't answer yourself or can't do without possibly disturbing the way the user works. For example, it is good courtesy to ask the user if he would like your program to be the default handler for a particular kind of file when your program is installed. It is *never* acceptable to ask the user "Are you sure you want to quit?" If your program is asked to quit, handle unsaved documents and quit. "Are you sure..." questions should be asked only if the action involves the undoable destruction of data, such as deleting a file instead of moving it to the Trash. Avoiding these kinds of situations entirely is a better solution. If the confirmation is asked too often, the user will develop the habit of confirming it without a second thought and your asking the question will be rendered moot.

When you do use an alert window, please follow these guidelines: