Hi; I have been on the OOo users list for some two years and using OOo for as long. I went to the www.openoffice.org site just to see why there is so much confusion for newbies (OOo beginners).
Even I was flustered. Being flustered the first time one downloads, installs or uses a new application and/or operating system is something that can happen to us all -- no matter how intelligent or savvy one is. It is an emotional state brought on by FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). Microsoft and others may spread and enhance FUD in order to keep clients, but they do not create it. It is a normal human emotional reaction to gambling on something that *may* have a steep learning curve; *may* be (to them) completely non-intuitive; *may* cost them all their time and money invested in learning something like Word; *may* have formats not shareable with others; and *may* put years worth of documents and other work at risk. Often there are also time pressures involved. At www.openoffice.org I found: 1) the so-called download button didn't look like a button; 2) the support tab (page) was confusing, giving far too many unnecessary choices; 3) no tips; 4) no explanation of the difference between downloading and installing; 5) no reassurances as a newcomer proceeds; 6) even finding this Discussion mailing list was filled with FUD. etc. Never did find the questions email site that inserts "YOU MUST GIVE A SUMMARY HERE". I have no idea where people with problems are finding that site. I recently gave a short talk about Linux to a group of 20 non-tech MS users. The Q & A afterwards, from all 20, turned primarily into questions about what would happen to their Word documents if they migrated to Linux and OOo. *I* know the answers. I gave them the right answers. It still didn't reduce their FUD very much. From their prospective, too much was at risk. I can see, given the flustered factor, why so many people are having so much trouble with the basics. I don't have the answers. But somehow the www.openoffice.org site has to be re-thought and the first impression of OOo has to be greatly improved if OOo wants to challenge MS Office. -- Regards Bill --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
