I’ve just discovered that an app I use occasionally abbreviates both “minute(s)” and “month(s)” as m. (The single letter.)

For a few moments I was very confused. Things that happened minutes and months apart were briefly indistinguishable.

Confused users are not delighted users!

What are the lessons?

  • Ask: are all the abbreviations we use clear and unambiguous? In all languages/cultures supported?
  • Ask: how could this be accidentally misunderstood?