[at-l] Stop, drop and roll

[Steve Miller]

As one who has designed such interfaces, the simple answer is for data 
accuracy.  Since there are only 50 choices (plus a few more if you count 
territories and districts), it is easy to make a drop down - pick one 
list box.  It tends to reduce the chance that someone will enter an 
incorrect code for their state (like PN for Pennsylvania - yes I've seen 
that!), especially lists that give both state name and abbreviation.

Personally, I now prefer to simply ask for zip code, which I can use to 
look up city and state.  It only requires 5 digits from the 'user' and 
guarantees accurate and consistent spelling of city and state codes.  
Any company that deals with shipping products is usually very concerned 
with standardized addressing (for postal rate savings) and wants to 
minimize any deviation that individuals may give to such spellings.

I really hate to see you losing income worrying about such things.  In 
the end (in theory at least), they are done to save you money!

Steve "Up To Somethin'"

Felix J wrote:
> Can someone tell me why...on ANY online form that requires an address 
> (street, city and state)...why are the 'state' boxes ALWAYS in the form 
> of drop-down menu-type format instead of just type-it-in-type?  This has 
> confused me for some time and, perhaps, has cost me great amounts of 
> income as I've sat and pondered such a thing.
>
>