404 Error: The Best Pages (Not) Found on the Internet
Dec 10th, 2007 by admin
If you’re going to see a 404 Error, it might as well be something humorous, entertaining or elegant right? Some of these were designed to be funny or frustrating while others simply ended up that way by unfortunate accident. Here are some of the most interesting 404 and other error messages (not) found on the web, some great places to find even more and some tips for designers on how to make the most of your very own 404s.
Smashing magazine put a few interesting 404s from top websites in an article requesting creative, bizarre and unique 404 pages. They then published the 40 most compelling from the set – a rather stunning selection of 404s arranged by category and including commentary. Though theirs is an interesting start, there are entire websites dedicated to collecting 404 error pages arranged within categories and subcategories. Probably the best of these is Area 404, a well-organized, extensive an growing collection of 404 pages well worth checking out. Designers should take care to design 404 pages well for the inevitable accidental mistype, expired page or other common 404 cause.
Of course, the web page 404 is only one potentially interesting kind of error message. For the particularly geeky, here are some obscure UNIX error jokes. If you’ve ever felt frustrated at what an error message suggested you do, then this hilarious response to one may be for you. Here are some of the absolute dumbest, strangest and funniest Windows error messages all in one place. Feel a little overwhelmed? Well, at least you probably know more than the Hollywood producers who think your computer can do this.
