Tuesday, June 4, 2019

feedback - Refusing a user permission to click a URL


I've been asked to work on a system message on an intranet where by there are various URLs (linking to lists of content) that have permission rights attached to them, so only certain users have access to the content.



Currently it's spec'ed so that if a user without permission clicks on one of these URLs a message appears which says 'You do not have Permission to view this content'.


I'm wondering is there a better way to handle this?


I was thinking of maybe disabling the links (the user has no permission for) altogether.


There are pro's/cons here.


Pro:


It will stop users clicking on said link and receiving a message which may leave them feeling stupid and maybe annoyed they don't have permission.


Con:


Maybe the user needs to/would like to be aware that this content exists (so needs to be recognizable as a URL) even if he/she cannot view it.


Anyone any ideas on this/seen any similar patterns in use?



Answer





  • If a user doesn't have permission to access a particular item of content, I would suggest not displaying it at all.


  • If the user needs to know that content they don't have access to exists - show them the content in a different form and provide them with a way of enquiring about how to gain access if necessary.



    • Eg. as a content list (rather than semi functional links), with a suggestion about who to contact if they feel access if required.




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