Tony Pursell wrote: [...]
The OOo lists are so different from this experience. I always try to behave on the list as would have done in my job. I focus on the user. Others, maybe, also play to the gallery. I try to be polite and helpful. I've seen others be rude and scathing about people's ignorance.
Hey Tony,
Thanks tons for your input. I hope I haven't messed up your input with someone else's without assigning proper credit where credit is due. I may have.... I'm working on the fly here and not doing the digging I usually do. If so please forgive me.
I approach(ed) the users list the same way you do.... It's just a normal "customer service" approach in my eyes. I was first trained as a teen a McD's, long before electronic cash registers were in existence. Their creed was/is "the customer is always right". I guess you could say they brain-washed me, and I've carried the creed throughout my career. (My next job after that was qc, and look at how that affected me and my critical eye. <g> I can't escape it, so I must plant it where it can thrive!)
I recently read a book about people skills, mostly because the power went out and I needed something to do. I got hooked and finished it. It suggested that one try to put themselves in the shoes of the other when trying to communicate effectively. I do that with users on the list and always have because I'm sensitive when people are gruff with me. I always hope not to do that to others, especially when they've dared to ask for help. Asking for help is not always an easy thing to do.
If you think about it, the OOo lists are a tool that competing products might not offer. From what I understand, you call, wait on hold for about 45 minutes, then someone tells you to turn your computer off and on. The OOo lists are certainly more effective than that. :) My understanding might be off base too, but this is what others have told me.
I have no magic solutions for turning all participants into the type of support guy that I try to be. Or for turning the users list into more of a normal support experience. I think that the lists do a great job for techies
and enthusiasts helping each other, but they generally fail the new user who
doesn't understand the community way of working.
I was once that person, and I remember how hard it was to learn all the Netiquette expectations. I've had my butt chewed more than once on these lists for my manners. Heck, I'm sure that I still have more to learn too. I guess to me, it's just a matter of sharing. I'm guessing that I just sorta wish that those who don't wish to be kind about it would hush, for the good of all. :) Maybe that is not a real possibility. I cannot imagine everyone doing things the same. I don't think that will ever happen. Actually we should embrace our individuality as much as we possibly can. It can be a tool.
I guess I'm just hoping to affect some of the energy, so it turns to a good energy. I have my own issues which are closely related to this users list issue, and I guess I feel its time to speak up a little bit. Hopefully it helps.
Thanx again for your input. I think experience is the best teacher, and those who have it have the most to share, so your input is a super contribution!
Thanx again! :) Diane
-- OOo1.1.4 and OOo1.9m79 on RH9 Linux http://www.mackmoon.com/OOoHelpOutline.html
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