Browsing - ethical responsibilities?

How far do we go when volunteering reports on broken sites?

[saoi_jp]

Scenario: You're browsing a site and you click a link, which leads you to a 404 page. You notice that the url ends in ".htlm" so it's easy for you to fix it in your address bar, and see the page.

I'll nearly always send the webmaster a short report --I was on page x, I clicked link y, I had this problem, and I think z is the solution.

How "professionally obligated" do you feel when you discover these kinds of problems? How about less obvious problems? Or dangerous problems (non-secure payment forms, pages ripe for sql attack, etc.)?

I guess this is similar to the scenario debated amongst health care professionals -- if you're a doctor and you notice something on a stranger's face that could be cancerous, do you say something?

I'm wondering what the general concensus is on this.

[bumpaw]

I don't feel obligated, but being a buzzard I'll let them know if it's really broken. Then if they need help my link is there.:)

[Sanenet]

Usually, if it's a useful site and the contact details are there I'll drop them a line using the wording suggested by saio_jp.

[eWhisper]

Depends on mood and site quality.

If its a good info site that I like, I'll drop them a quick message almost always.

If its a site full of junk, then I won't.

If its a merchant site, then I might drop an email like suggested above.

[karmov]

If I'm actually trying to use the site and something's not working for me, then I'll mail them for sure. If I'm just casually checkin gthings out with no real goal or aim, I won't usually bother. When I'm browsing the web I put my webmaster hat away and put my regular web surfer hat on.

[saoi_jp]

When I'm browsing the web I put my webmaster hat away

I find it hard to do that. On the other side of the coin, you visit a site and see things that work very well, so you file it away.

So far the responses boil down to "it depends" and subjective answers. We give a heads-up if the site is useful or appealing, but we won't give a heads-up as a general rule. We do tend to give heads-ups when things are broken.

Sometimes though I find myself caught up in a site that is really working for me. Their enthusiasm is contagious and suddenly I'm a fan. Then I see some great text (containing calls to action and good keyword phrases) followed by a link, anchor text: Click here! Makes me chomp the bit; I really want to send a heads-up to that.

Maybe this has more to do with my other "hat" of being a language teacher, huh? :)

[TheDoctor]

Just to come at this from the other angle: My 404 page contains a button to report a broken link. I don't get anyone using it these days, because, thanks to the button and its ease of use, I've got rid of all my broken links :)

I think it's only an ethical problem to report broken links if the webmaster makes it difficult to report them. If they're not difficult to report, then it's just good neighbourliness to do so - and I'll do it. But it takes two to tango, and so many sites just don't have appropriate contact addresses to hand.

[ControlEngineer]

How "professionally obligated" do you feel...

I do not feel obligated in any way, nor do I feel that it is a matter of ethics.

However, I think that it is the right thing to do, takes only a minute of time, and can be of help to the webmaster of the site the link is to, the site the link is on, and others who may find the site usefull.

It's not up there with stopping in heavy rain to help a little old lady with a flat tire, but it is worth time time. A large number of simple little acts of helpfulness will make the world a better place.

[wavebird23]

Your not obligated at all, but is sure is helpful.

[tbear]

>>>>>>A large number of simple little acts of helpfulness will make the world a better place.

Absolutely agree!

Whenever I get mail telling me of an error or bad link in one of my sites (not often, LOL) I always respond with a thank you too!

[D_Blackwell]

As others have suggested, I feel no obligation at all, but lean heavily toward the "doing the right thing" philosophy. I welcome notifications on any site that I manage, especially for anything that falls in the "out of sight, out of mind" category. Some things will never be found unless someone from the outside reports them.

Very recently I came across a mortgage broker company using an unsecured application form which included name, address, phone, and SS NUMBER (ditto for spouse, if applicable)! I'm no lawyer, but I was direct in expressing my concerns for their potential liability. The form came down, but no new business for me:( (And it's still down:))

[AWildman]

When I'm checking my error logs and notice a broken link to one of my sites, I'll send a broken link message, if there is a contact email available. Other than that, I try not to surf sites that have broken links.

[ergophobe]

A large number of simple little acts of helpfulness will make the world a better place.

Sure, but would you rather help Microsoft fix a broken page or help the elderly person next door mow the lawn? We only have so much time in life

- if it's a site I like or use, and especially if it's a hobbyist site by someone who has 1000 other things to do, I usually try to help.

- if it's a large corporate site that supposedly has a staff to handle such things, I let them handle it.