I'm not subscribed to the marketing list at the moment (too much 'noise'
when I was before) hence my reply to the website-dev list only.
on 06/09/2009 16:55 Florian Effenberger wrote:
Hi,
I'm quoting your message in full, as I'm not sure if it reached the
d...@marketing mailing list. If you are not subscribed with
m...@johnea.net, please do so, so you receive feedback from other
marketing team members as well. I've as well included d...@website for
the website project.
Thank you very much for your valueable feedback, your nice words and
your interest in OpenOffice.org.
Your idea indeed sounds good to me. Although I'm no native English
speaker, I think your approach is a very good one. I'd love to get
feedback from others in the project - if no one objects, I can happily
modify the wording per your suggestion. I know there have been quite a
lot discussions on the redesign of the main page some time ago, that's
why I'd love to hear feedback from the website and marketing team
before doing any changes.
If I remember correctly, this was discussed, at length, in a topic
including the words "thirsty horses", if others want to read the
original rationale for the existing wording in the mailing list
archives: http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html
It was also brought up not too long ago, and everyone was referred back
to those messages then too.
I'd be interested in John's background/qualifications in this area? If
he is a website design / marketing 'guru', then of course that would
lend considerable weight to his comments.
I must admit, thought along the same lines when I saw the original
proposal, but Graham Lauder's arguments won me over. I thought I'd
speak up now to lend some support to the existing wording.
The point IIRC is not that the current wording is best for competent,
experienced computer users. It is designed to appeal to those not
familiar with computers, or website browsing; to make them feel
comfortable, and more likely to click one of the action statements.
m...@johnea.net wrote:
I've been using linux and openoffice as my primary desktop
environment and productivity suite for the last 7 years.
...I would hazard a guess that puts John in the "experienced" user
bracket, and I'd also suppose that the vast majority of these users
(myself included) would prefer a more terse presentation of the options
when looking at the site /*from our own perspective*/ as users.
The crux of the matter seems to me: how can we appeal to the
inexperienced computer user, without going so far as to alienate or
confuse the experienced user? IMHO the current homepage does this.
That's not to say that I couldn't be swayed, if contrary supporting
evidence is offered (not just "everyone else does it like this").
Regards,
James
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