5 ms·

Not really, Ok can be a verb. You can “Ok” a change.

jarcoal 8y ago
Technically, but it doesn’t tell you much about what you’re doing. Having the action be more descriptive allows users to act more quickly.
personjerry 8y ago
In that context "Ok" is merely a euphemism for "Accept", which would probably be a better label
- DonHopkins 8y ago
  At least it's not "Submit", which is just oppressive and demeaning. "Approve" would be more active and positive.
  - pwg 8y ago
    In all fairness, the "Submit" button in standard HTML is using the second definition of "Submit", not the first: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submit https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submit 1 a : to yield to governance or authority b : to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation * the metal was submitted to analysis 2 : to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision; also : to deliver formally * submitted my resignation 3 : to put forward as an opinion or contention * we submit that the charge is not proved It (the "Submit" button) is "present[ing]" (or "deliver[ing]") the form data field contents to the server. And in fact, myself, until I read your comment, never even considered the word in the context of the "yield" definition due to how it operates.
JonathonW 8y ago
"Ok" for a change (that's described in the body of the dialog's text) is... okay, I suppose. But it's better to mirror the action verb for your confirmation button, because users don't necessarily read the text you present them with. So, instead of this: Delete xyz.jpg? -------------------------- The file 'xyz.jpg' will be permanently deleted. -------------------------- [ OK ] [ Cancel ] You have: Delete xyz.jpg? -------------------------- The file 'xyz.jpg' will be permanently deleted. -------------------------- [ Delete ] [ Cancel ] And you get one more chance for the user to see what action they're about to perform. There's very good, detailed guidance on this in the Windows design guidelines (the design-specific aspects are a bit dated since everything there refers to Vista/7-era UI elements, but their guidance on text and dialog styles is still applicable): Text: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn742476(v=vs.85).aspx https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn7... Dialog Boxes: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn742499(v=vs.85).aspx https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn7...
- StavrosK 8y ago
  Yes, precisely. The worst UI I've ever seen was: "Cancel this action?" "Yes" "Cancel" Seriously?!
  - lucb1e 8y ago
    If you get lucky, it has a window close button on the right top as a safe way out. If you're unlucky... better have that power cable in reach.
    - 0xfeba 8y ago
      Reminds me of this gem from Microsoft: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/05/24/171215/windows-10-upgrade-activates-by-clicking-red-x-close-button-in-prompt-message https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/05/24/171215/windows-10-u... > In a move guaranteed to annoy many people, Microsoft has "jumped the shark" on encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft has faced criticism for changing the pop-up box encouraging Windows users to upgrade to Windows 10. Clicking the red cross on the right hand corner of the pop-up box now activates the upgrade instead of closing the box.
      - isostatic 8y ago
        And people wonder why so many are concerned about the github buyout
    - syrrim 8y ago
      I have a feeling pulling the plug would cancel the action.
      - lozf 8y ago
        Hmmm, maybe... or perhaps you get a call that their monitor doesn't work... On reconnecting the power cable we find all files deleted anyway.
  - userbinator 8y ago
Someone 8y ago
In English, you can verb any noun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(word_formation)#Verb_conversion_in_English https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(word_formation)#Ve..., https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/01/25 https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/01/25)
- _emacsomancer_ 8y ago
  One can verb nouns in lots of languages, English just happens to have "0-derivation" verbing of nouns ("photoshopped the picture", "googled Dan"). As well as "0-derivation" nouning of verbs ('did the user submit an "ok" or a "cancel"?').
Terr_ 8y ago
> Ok can be a verb My gut feeling is that when written as a verb, it should always be the longer form, ex: "I will okay it, like I okayed the last one." I believe it's from the same writing-sense that intuits "I have three main points" as superior to "I have 3 main points."

Technically, but it doesn’t tell you much about what you’re doing. Having the action be more descriptive allows users to act more quickly.

personjerry 8y ago

In that context "Ok" is merely a euphemism for "Accept", which would probably be a better label

DonHopkins 8y ago
At least it's not "Submit", which is just oppressive and demeaning. "Approve" would be more active and positive.
- pwg 8y ago
  In all fairness, the "Submit" button in standard HTML is using the second definition of "Submit", not the first: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submit https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submit 1 a : to yield to governance or authority b : to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation * the metal was submitted to analysis 2 : to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision; also : to deliver formally * submitted my resignation 3 : to put forward as an opinion or contention * we submit that the charge is not proved It (the "Submit" button) is "present[ing]" (or "deliver[ing]") the form data field contents to the server. And in fact, myself, until I read your comment, never even considered the word in the context of the "yield" definition due to how it operates.

JonathonW 8y ago

"Ok" for a change (that's described in the body of the dialog's text) is... okay, I suppose. But it's better to mirror the action verb for your confirmation button, because users don't necessarily read the text you present them with. So, instead of this: Delete xyz.jpg? -------------------------- The file 'xyz.jpg' will be permanently deleted. -------------------------- [ OK ] [ Cancel ] You have: Delete xyz.jpg? -------------------------- The file 'xyz.jpg' will be permanently deleted. -------------------------- [ Delete ] [ Cancel ] And you get one more chance for the user to see what action they're about to perform. There's very good, detailed guidance on this in the Windows design guidelines (the design-specific aspects are a bit dated since everything there refers to Vista/7-era UI elements, but their guidance on text and dialog styles is still applicable): Text: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn742476(v=vs.85).aspx https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn7... Dialog Boxes: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn742499(v=vs.85).aspx https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn7...

StavrosK 8y ago
Yes, precisely. The worst UI I've ever seen was: "Cancel this action?" "Yes" "Cancel" Seriously?!
- lucb1e 8y ago
  If you get lucky, it has a window close button on the right top as a safe way out. If you're unlucky... better have that power cable in reach.
  - 0xfeba 8y ago
    Reminds me of this gem from Microsoft: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/05/24/171215/windows-10-upgrade-activates-by-clicking-red-x-close-button-in-prompt-message https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/05/24/171215/windows-10-u... > In a move guaranteed to annoy many people, Microsoft has "jumped the shark" on encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft has faced criticism for changing the pop-up box encouraging Windows users to upgrade to Windows 10. Clicking the red cross on the right hand corner of the pop-up box now activates the upgrade instead of closing the box.
    - isostatic 8y ago
      And people wonder why so many are concerned about the github buyout
  - syrrim 8y ago
    I have a feeling pulling the plug would cancel the action.
    - lozf 8y ago
      Hmmm, maybe... or perhaps you get a call that their monitor doesn't work... On reconnecting the power cable we find all files deleted anyway.
- userbinator 8y ago

Someone 8y ago

In English, you can verb any noun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(word_formation)#Verb_conversion_in_English https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(word_formation)#Ve..., https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/01/25 https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/01/25)

_emacsomancer_ 8y ago
One can verb nouns in lots of languages, English just happens to have "0-derivation" verbing of nouns ("photoshopped the picture", "googled Dan"). As well as "0-derivation" nouning of verbs ('did the user submit an "ok" or a "cancel"?').

Terr_ 8y ago

> Ok can be a verb My gut feeling is that when written as a verb, it should always be the longer form, ex: "I will okay it, like I okayed the last one." I believe it's from the same writing-sense that intuits "I have three main points" as superior to "I have 3 main points."