ACSP Suggestion 2011.26: ARIN Online user email validation
Suggestion
Author: Geoff Adams
Submitted On: 14 July 2011
Description:
After years of working with ARIN via the email forms, I’m now trying to create my ARIN Online account. I’m trying to use the email address I’ve been using for many years with ARIN: <gsa-arin@avernus.com>. However, the form validation code incorrectly identifies this as a role account, and suggests I use one containing my initials. Of course, that email address does include my initials, but its apparently being thrown by the inclusion of the string “arin.” I always create a separate email address for each entity I do business with. ARIN is no exception. I talked with your support department, and was told “we’ve heard this before.”
You should fix your web form so that it doesn’t try to be smarter than it actually can be. In particular, since there is no way to tell whether an account is a role account or not simply by looking at the string of characters, this validation should probably be replaced with an instruction to the user.
Your support person wasn’t able to tell me what strings I would be able to include in an email address, and suggested I keep trying addresses until I find one that works, and then create that one. This is a ridiculous workaround, and even once I succeed, I’ll have two addresses that I use with ARIN, one of which will be difficult to track. That’s a bad user experience, to say the least.
Timeframe: Immediate
Status: Closed Updated: 29 March 2012
Tracking Information
ARIN Comment
19 July 2011
Thank you for your suggestion of relaxing the underlying logic which presumes a “-” in any email address formulates a role account as well as improving instructions available through ARIN Online.
Based on your feedback, we recognize that this is not an optimal interactive conversation with ARIN Online and will review and modify the user experience in this portion of the application.
In the interim, we can set this up as you request and we will have a Registration Services Department representative contact you to establish this account using the email address you need.
ARIN Comment
29 March 2012
As a follow up to your suggestion, our understanding is that a Registration Services Department team member has contacted you and was able to facilitate use of the email address that you requested. WeI hope this has worked out for you. If not please let us know.
We have moved your suggestion regarding email validation to the ARIN Online product backlog so that we can consider implementation in the future. Ideally, we would implement these changes when we receive additional similar feedback, thus warranting commitment of engineering resources to the development effort. As a result, we are closing this suggestion but will retain the concept for this functionality for future consideration.
Thank you for participating in the ARIN Consultation and Suggestion Process. Let us know if you have any questions.