Simulating error conditions

Simulating error conditions, so that they can be correctly documented, is always a challenge for technical authors. Particularly if the error involves an usual or very undesirable set of circumstances. For example, it's easy to trigger an alert message about a printer that's out of paper. It's not so easy, or fun, to simulate a virus infection.

A recent TidBITS-Talk message provides a handy tool solution. The industry group Eicar provides a standard test file that, when placed on your computer, will (or should!) trigger an alarm in virus scanning software.

Posted: April 16, 2004 link to this item, Tweet this item, respond to this item