Thursday 18 March 2010

Open letter to the web managers at 10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street still can't spell Attlee Hey guys,

Here’s a suggestion.

Learn to spell “Attlee”.

Come on, it’s not rocket science. Make a big notice and put it on the office wall or something. Make the next person to misspell it buy doughnuts for the whole office. Work out a strategy for checking and correcting (ermmm, quality control anyone?). Just do something.

Having it still spelt wrongly now is, frankly, pathetic and shameful. He’s been dead since 1967 – it’s not some novel new name of whoever won X Factor last week! I mean, dammit, I’ve been writing to you about it for years. You haven’t really taken any notice, and I must, sadly, conclude that you’re a bit incompetent. Is that unfair? If so, I’m sorry, and do please explain how so.

Here are a few Handy Hints on getting it right:

  1. Do a site search for the spelling “Atlee”. Use Google, use your own web software, whatever. If you don’t know how to do this, please write for instructions (and send money).
  2. Search again, more carefully, because, to be honest, you’re not very good at this, are you?
  3. Have another go. This time check source code, look at the names of graphics, check in your alt text. Check carefully.
  4. I know it’s pretty tough but you’re 10 Downing Street, you can do this.
  5. Do it again and again until it is impossible for me or anyone else to find Attlee spelt incorrectly anywhere, in no matter how obscure and trivial a place, on your site. Don't guess that you might have done it right: know that you have.
  6. Hurrah! You’re done. Have a nice cup of tea.

There you go. Have a great day.

With best wishes

Vogel von Neustadt
Concerned Citizen

1 comment:

Strawberryyog said...

Update: I've sent an email to 10 Downing Street giving them this URL and inviting a look. I feel a bit guilty, to be honest, wording it so strongly - but previous emails have been polite, friendly and respectful and do not seem to have worked. Let's be honest, this probably won't work either ... but it may have made me feel slightly better. Ho hum.