Using words people can understand . . .

One of the interesting challenges of my job is getting my end-users to understand that we make rules and require actions for a reason, not just out of paranoia. Sometimes, this involves putting the problem in laymen's terms. Sometimes, a more emotional appeal is required. Here's this week's effort (names removed to protect the guilty):

Good morning! You're receiving this message because my records indicate you have a [make and model] laptop and you have not yet sent us the battery ID. We need you, please, to follow the instructions [ . . . ] and reply with the resulting code by the end of business on FRIDAY. This is a very important step in the process of making sure your laptop doesn't catch fire.

If you need assistance, please call the help desk at [phone number]. We'll be happy to help you find this information.

If we don't have this information by the end of Friday, we will begin calling all remaining laptop users, individually. Because we really don't want your computer, you, or any location your computer may be in (car, home, office) to catch fire.

--your friendly neighborhood IT (not Fire) Department