Consistency: Username vs User name (Part #1)
August 18, 2006 by Glenn R. Cochran
I recently had the pleasure of debating the proper way to label the field on a log in screen that is used to collect the user's unique identifier. When I arrived on the scene two very specific choices were being argued. The first was user name as a single word with only an uppercase letter u at the beginning. The second was user name as two separate words where the word user gets capatilized and the word name does not. In both instances we all agreed, mostly, that the label should end with a colon. For now, I'll save the debate about the use of the colon in field labels for a later date.
My Two Cents
Wanting to jump in and help move the group to a decision I selected the proper label of "Username". To me, this was the most commonly used label on the planet and therefore the obvious choice. It also happens to be my personal preference!
Ding! Problem solved, right? Well, actually not!
But What About Windows?
As another person on the team was quick to point out, Microsoft's log in screen for Windows itself uses the label "User name" instead. For an instant I thought to myself:
"Microsoft spends a great deal of time, money, and resources on problems likes this. Maybe we should just follow their lead and forget about my preference."
Once I came to my senses I stated that we should do a quick survey of the world and see what the common pattern is that emerges and then be consistent with that instead.
Ding! Problem solved right? Well, actually not!
Pattern? What Pattern?
After an informal glance into the inconsistent world of log in screen field labels we did find a few patterns. Based on our research and a bit more discussion it was proposed that perhaps desktop operating systems and their applications use the two word version and web sites use the single word version. If this were really the case our problem would be solved because after all...
"We're designing a web-based application that customers will use from their desktop operating system."
Ding! Problem solved right? Well, actually not!
Web vs. Desktop! Round One. Fight!
The debate at this point turned quickly to whether or not the product is a web-based application and therefore should use "Username" for the label or given that the application is launched from the user's desktop and we should therefore be consistent with the operating system and use "User name" instead.
Obviously further research was warranted and this wasn't something we were going to solve with a quick hallway conversation. Not unlike other religious debates we decided to go off and find data to backup our individual assertions about how the world really works.
Preliminary Research Results
Doh! The world is completely inconsistent. Now what?
To be continued...
Comments
Wouldn't it be "User's name" vs "username"? So, if you wanted the name of the user, it would the first one, but if you want a name selected by the user you would want the second?
Posted by: Edward | August 18, 2006 01:16 AM
You neglected to consider the use of "login ID". But I'd be surprised if this made an iota of difference to the user experience!
Posted by: Antonio | August 19, 2006 07:43 AM
nice site
Posted by: Houwbu | March 30, 2007 02:10 PM