Position based tactile reporting provides for adequate and socially acceptable reporting. A tactile element is moved from a first position to a second position to indicate a status. The tactile element is maintained in the second position so that touching the tactile element and detecting the second position determines a status. In another aspect, the tactile element oscillates to indicate status. In this manner, a user may adequately and discretely detect a status of a computing device without engaging in socially inappropriate behavior.