UX word of the day: mode error

Mode Error| noun| mowd • er-ur

1. : a type of mistake wherein the user performs an action assuming the system is in a particular mode whereas, in reality, it is in a different mode.

For example, accelerating thinking your car is in drive when it is actually in reverse.

1. : in UX design, these types of errors can be prevented by incorporating a salient mode indicator, indicating mode changes clearly, and locking out certain actions in certain modes.

I hated having to retype my password because my CAPS LOCK was on. Thank god website and app designers have taken steps to reduce such mode errors by incorporating a warning next to the password bar that reminds you if your CAPS LOCK is on.

See also:

Designing Error Tolerant Systems

UX word of the day: slip