I thought I'd write a short post where I comment on some interesting custom error pages that have turned up here at the Port--a Custom Error Page Review. For additional help I've solicited the only people I could find with the time and inclination to contribute. So bring out the first subjects, please.
BMW
Tad, Port80 employee: This page is clearly still part of the BMW web site even though it is the result of a 404 File Not Found error. It's branded just like the rest of the site. The minimal text offers a simple explanation to a web user of why this page was served. There are no cryptic error messages to make me think something went wrong. It's got a link to send me back to the index page in either English or German so I can easily get back on track. Very nicely done. What else would you expect from a company that's made such great use of its web presence?
Steve, freelance web designer: That's a smart error page. I like that aerial shot. It's helping me get my bearings. ha ha. It also sort of reminds me of a ship lost at sea. And that's [pointing at building] a beacon of some sort guiding the ship home? I like this page a lot. Although I thought BMW was the "Ultimate Driving Machine". What's up with "Sheer Driving Pleasure"?
Tania, Steve's girlfriend: That's nice.
Fatwire
Tad, Port80 employee: School is in. Here's more than you ever wanted to know about the 404 error code (and the 403 and the 410) according to RFC 2068. I wonder what percentage of web users would find this interesting on any level? Also, where do you go from here? There are no links at all on this page.
It is a custom page though, so it doesn't reveal the server or the platform.
Steve, freelance web designer: This is a clever idea. This could actually work with some better design on a web site with an adequately geeky readership.
It is a deadend, though.
Tania, Steve's girlfriend: Who's RFC?
Tad, Port80 employee: Exactly.
Mervyns
Tad, Port80 employee: Now that's not supposed to happen. Sheesh, I'm glad that's not my web site.
Steve, freelance web designer: Ba ha ha ha ha ha! Oh my God.
Tania, Steve's girlfriend: Did we just break this?
Tad, Port80 employee: What do you mean we? You were navigating.