Posted by Ed on 12/14/91 11:35

Rob McAninch wrote:
> Marian Heddesheimer>:
>
>> On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 14:36:14 +0100, Leszek wrote:
>
>
>>> Is it possible to make a select lst of all countries in the world?
>>
>>
>> google could help here:
>> http://www.thefixor.com/help/countryDRP.html
>
>
> I question the usefulness of such drop down lists. Most people know what
> country they live in and can type it much faster than scrolling a list
> (or typing to get the list closer to the choice you need).
>
> It's similar to asking for a birth date, we are so accustomed to
> responding that having to scroll lists is less efficient.
>
> http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001112.html
>

A drop down down list does force a certain level of consistency in the
answers and makes counting the replies relatively straightforward if
that is the intention.

Once you start asking people what country they live in, or come from,
you can end up with all sorts of problems. For example, try asking
someone born anywhere in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (that is the official name). You could then get replies
ranging through:

England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Isle of Man
UK
Great Britain
Britain

Not all of these are legally defined as countries! The list includes
provinces and principalities. But different people will argue
passionately that their own particular area is indeed a country in its
own right.

Far simpler to use a drop down list if you want to tabulate and count
the results.

Yours truly,
Ed
Republic of Ireland
(Or is it Eire, or Ireland, but without the North!!)

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