[Sigia-l] [Siglia-l] SMS and phone number labeling

[Peter VanDijck]

Isn't there a way to identify automatically which numbers are mobiles?
That would fix it. I wouldn't expect people to label their numbers
correctly.
Peter

Chad wrote:
> 
> I wanted to pose a scenario to the group to get some feedback and
> thoughts as we have been going back and forth on this for a few days.
> Your team is designing a SMS (Short Message Service) application for a
> mobile device.
> 
> SCENARIO:
> Leo wants to compose a new SMS message to his friend Sue. He launches
> the SMS/Text Messaging application. He can't remember Sue's phone
> number so he chooses to find the number in his contact list. For the
> sake of example he selects the "look up" option from within the SMS
> application.  A list of his contacts and phone numbers are presented
> for him to choose from.
> 
> Leo has a fairly complete contact list (300+ names). Many contacts have
> multiple phone numbers which Leo has labeled as Mobile, Home, Other,
> Work (labels provided by the software). A single record can have
> multiple numbers with the same classification.
> ---
> 
> So the question is: Since SMS messages can only be sent to Mobile
> phones (at this point), is Leo only presented with Mobile classified
> phone numbers to choose from, or all phone numbers in his address book?
> 
> 01: Presenting a list of only "mobile" classified numbers creates a
> simpler interface and most likely fewer steps (as there may be far
> fewer numbers to choose from); however Leo may have mislabeled Sue's
> number in his phone book.  So her Mobile phone number could be labeled
> as "Other" or "Work". Therefore Leo wouldn't be able to find Sue's
> number going this route.
> 
> 02: On the other hand, if you allow Leo to choose from all the numbers
> in his phone book, no matter classification,  then Leo could end out
> sending SMS messages to non-mobile phones. (BTW there is no
> bounce-back). You're also presenting Leo with say a list of 350 phone
> numbers necessitating 2 levels of hierarchy versus a list of say 130
> numbers.
> 
> Do you design for:
>   - simplicity, trusting that users will label most of their "important"
> or regularly used numbers correctly; People tend to communicate with
> only 3-5 people on a regular basis.
> 
> or
> 
> - completeness, allow users to choose and send an SMS to any phone
> number, even if the number is a land line.
> 
> ---
> Functions such as a Speed Dial or field auto-complete can assist
> regular users, but a complete lookup will need to be available. We will
> be testing later on, but I'm curious if anyone has had any experience
> with a scenario similar to this or just has an opinion. Do you label
> your numbers correctly in your phone or PDA? Are the numbers for people
> you contact on a regular basis labeled correctly?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Chad
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Chad Jennings
> chad at method.com
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Method
> www.method.com
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> .
> 
> ------------
> When replying, please *trim your post* as much as possible.
> *Plain text, please; NO Attachments
> 
> ASIST IA 03 Summit: Making Connections
> http://www.asist-events.org/IASummit2003/
> 
> Searchable list archive:   http://www.info-arch.org/lists/sigia-l/
> ________________________________________
> Sigia-l mailing list -- post to: Sigia-l at asis.org
> Changes to subscription: http://mail.asis.org/mailman/listinfo/sigia-l