How to improve your site down messages

[bykimbo]

Another site I use went pear-shaped this morning. But instead of being annoyed, I smiled at the quality of the error screen and went to do something else. Just like human errors being easy to accept if a smile and an apology is forthcoming, technical glitches are easier to bear if the notice is done with a little thought.

It's great that the last lot of improvements mean ebid doesn't fall over as much, but some improvement in the error page would help even more.

Here's the example I saw this morning, that made me think of it.

[OldPostcards]

Nice on, kimbo!

[PoppyGrove]

Thats a good one - at least you've got a pretty pic to look at while is gone awol.

Maybe the boys will take it in hand on the next downtime.