[IxDA Discuss] "Wrong password"

[Josh Galban]

I think that's great advice.  Depending on the context, I may take it a step
further and switch to a label other than Username or User Name.  Such labels
might be: Login ID, Nickname, Screen Name, Member ID, etc.

I've occasionally observed users in usability tests that enter their first
names or full names in fields labeled "Username".  The times I've seen this,
the testing involved a consumer website, relatively inexperienced Internet
user and formal usability lab.  To avoid the confusion, I specify a different
label for this field unless it's already in use by a website/web application.

There are also scenarios, such as performing telephone customer support, where
a user may be asked audibly to provide a Username as an identifying
credential.  The question, "What's your Username?" delivered over a phone is
subject to misinterpretation, especially by an end-user that's distracted. 
That's not such a big deal for the end-user, but the call center operator that
clarifies the question 100 times a day (a) finds it a bit annoying and/or (b)
uses it as evidence that "users are stupid." :)

--Josh


------ Original Message ------
From: George Schneiderman <schneidg at earthlink.net>

I recommend standardizing everywhere on "username" rather than "user name",
thus eliminating any potential for confusion between the user's actual name
(e.g. Jane Smith) versus her username (jsmith243).  The potential for
confusion may not exist in every context, but it is best to be consistent in
your usage.  

--George