Hello Tony
Hi all,
I am a communications professional, and a business owner who has now switched to OOo throughout my company.
Great. I do hope you will share your story and let us know whether we have addressed business users appropriately in our Strategic Marketing Plan, see: http://marketing.openoffice.org/strategy/
I suggest that the main OOo site is flawed in that it has a somewhat underpopulated feel to it. For someone to whom the prospect of ditching something as familiar as MS Office is kind of daunting, it would be very good to be immediately met with the presence of HUMAN BEINGS who offer reassurance that it really works, it's good, it'll all work out OK.
Agreed. I feel that if we can reassure visitors or people new to OpenOffice.org (and other open source software projects) that we are all *real* people on the other end of these keyboards then visitors will be more comfortable about finding their way and exploring the web site. I think this has a lot to do with how we interact online in our virtual communities.
I heartily recommend the following:-
1. Increase the prominence of links to these forums on the main page. Emphasise that there are 10,000 people in the community.
Active forums and mailing lists emphasise that we are a vibrant community. What online resources we provide and how we guide people to these online spaces is and interesting challenge bearing in mind that different people prefer different tools.
In addition to these forums, http://www.openoffice.org/editorial/blogs.html are a great way to find out more about the people contributing and participating in OpenOffice.org.
2. On the very top OOo page have a small space given to a frequently-refreshing series of headshots and quotes from successful, real-world users. Like this: www.epmu.org.nz <http://www.epmu.org.nz>
I would really like to see some of our quotable quotes and testimonials (http://www.openoffice.org/about_us/testimonials.html on the home page. Perhaps even case studies (http://www.openoffice.org/product/studies.html). I'm not confident about people providing photos, but we csn ask. Would you like to go first ?
Also, see: http://www.jxta.org/ I like how they have a picture associated with the introducing a community member on the front page. In another open source software project they have begun to collect pictures for a gallery. The discussion that has ensued involves the person who is in the picture is requested to upload the photo associated with their community digital key :)
3. How about some multimedia content? Voices and talking faces. If for no other reason, simply to give the whole enterprise a HUMAN feel.
This is a great idea, but only suits those that can take advantage of the medium. I would like to include it as an option, but would like to implement your first two ideas initially.
Perhaps we can get some of the OpenOffice.org bloggers to do some podcasts as a first step.
Hope I don't offend anyone with these suggestions... on the bright side, we CAN beat a dancing paperclip!
Not at all, I'm pleased that you could make it over from OOoForum.org.
Being in New Zealand, please consider joining us at the LCA OpenOffice.org Miniconf, see: http://www.openoffice.org.nz/miniconf/index.php (April 2005, Canberra, Australia). Only a couple of days left to early bird registration. You will have lots of opportunity to meet real people :)
Regards Jacqueline
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