Challis Hodge wrote:

> >I, for one, strongly dislike feedback forms. They often include fields
> >for personal data which I think is none of their business.
>
> Then make them optional.

Do you know of a site allowing users to make a mandatory field optional? I have
yet to see one.



> >If a feedback form does not include those extra fields, then what is
> >left is just a blank window for entering the feedback message. As for
> >entering a message, the text handling capability of an email client is
> >much better than that of a form.
>
> What's the significant difference?

Spell checking, formatting, attachment, record keeping, etc.



> What about the users who have no e-mail client installed?

A site can provide form interface for users who cannot use a mailto link.


> >I much prefer a mailto link which opens up with an email compose window
> >and all the necessary fields are pre-filled. Users just type in whatever
> >they want to say and click on the send button. The mailto way is:
> >
> >* simple -  users don't have to fill in unnecessary fields.
>
> Then don't include the extra fields in the form

And that was my point - after removing the extra fields, what's left is the text
box for entering a feedback message. If you are going to have a form with only one
text box, better to have a mailto link. It is simple, clean, and flexible.



> >* clean - there is no unnecessary text boxes to clutter the window.
>
> Then don't include the extra fields in the form

Again, see my explanation above.


> >* non-intrusive - users say whatever they want to say, no more and no
> >less.
>
> OK, this works for either solution. Still, the e-mail client is an extra step.

Where is the extra step when compared with form?


Boniface Lau