Mark Ferree - Open Source Web Development

One of my favorite moments from the Fifth Element is when Bruce Willis kisses the sleeping Milla Jovovich and ends up with a gun pointed at his head. The stream of words coming out of her mouth translate to "not without my permission".

So what the heck does this have to do with making websites one might ask? Well as it so happens keeping Milla Jovovich happy is the same as keeping your users happy.

I never become more aggravated with a piece of software or a website than when it does something without asking my permission. When you run an update to Apple software on a PC shortcuts to Quicktime, Itunes and anything else that is on the system appear on your desktop. Now I may want this to happen, but Apple doesn't see fit to ask me first.

The same scenario can happen with your website. Many new social networking websites use your e-mail address book to locate other users in your address book. Bebo makes the mistake of then sending an invite to all of those people, without first asking your permission. For me that meant my Bebo account was immediately deleted.

This same problem occurs on many e-mail signup screens. Many marketing departments have convinced web developers to have all the newsletter/spam boxes checked by default. Some people may want these newsletters, and those people will check the boxes, but don't make it possible for someone to accidentally sign up. This person will not magically become a happy newsletter subscriber.

So the next time you are thinking about acting on your user's behalf, remember what happened to Bruce Willis.