Feeding the Feedback (“U Suk”)

We crave feedback, right? That is the tickle bloggers get when there is email notification that someone has posted a comment. That is the reason why we build commenting features into system. It is what we look for in our online courses. It is what sends the blood boiling when spammers use this channel to try and push various body supplements.

Is there anyone out there getting too much feedback? Doubtful. But I bet most of you have been blessed with the two words that, well say it all, when the writer seems lost for the right kind of Hallmark phrase, and they resort to:

From: “Cxxxx Txxxxx” <CTxxxxxy@xxxxxx.xxx>
Date: May 4, 2004 8:22:51 AM MST
To: <alan.levine at xxmail.maricopa.edu>
Subject: hi from lesson 12

u suk

Gosh one hardly knows what to say.

This is generated in lesson 12 of our Writing HTML tutorial, where we provide instructions on how to compose a hypertext link that generates an email message. In 1994 I had the bright idea that one should be able to try an example, so they could understand what it does. So the lesson has a link that, when followed, generates an email address to me (with a preset subject line of “hi from lesson 12”).

I really did not forsee it then, but people began using this as a way of sending feedback and comments- now archived as our “kudos“- 10 random messages drawn from a bank of more than 3400 (note that email addresses are obscured, thanks again spam harvesting bots). And most of if is valuable, and more thoughtful than:

u suk

But they happen, so the writers get this response:

On May 4, 2004, at 8:22 AM, Cxxxxx Txxxxx wrote:

> u suk

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a deep and meaningful message. Your command and demonstrated prowess of the written language is impressive, and I know that you will go far in whatever direction you go.

I cannot thank you enough for your heartfelt words.

kindest regards…