2008/4/4, Daniel Kasak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > On Fri, 2008-04-04 at 05:50 +0200, Johnny Rosenberg wrote: > > > He he he... I like you, I really do, I feel exactly the same in most > cases, > > like "why integrating an email/calendar application when there are > already a > > few good ones out there". > > > Well thanks :) > > > > BUT... I also think that we (OpenOffice.org users, developers, "helpers" > > etc.) are kind of "good guys" and that we all want as many users as > > possible, so even when it comes to questions like this one about > including > > stuff that is not already there, we need to find at least SOME kind of > > solution. Maybe a guide that starts automatically the first time > > OpenOffice.org is started after just being installed that let us select > > whether or not we want this and that. > > > OK. I think we're approaching the point here. But a couple of > comments ... > > Dumbing-down applications isn't doing anyone any favours - even those > asking for it. Lets say for a moment that we put a 'create new email' > button in OOo that launchers whatever email client for the user. This > will have a couple of knock-on effects ... Users will learn that to > start a new email, they open Open Office, and click the 'create new > email' button. > > What happens when they go to a computer that doesn't have OOo? Or if > they go to a computer with OOo but without the button, because the > person who installed OOo chose not to have the button visible? > > What does the user now think about how they start applications? If I ask > them to start some other program, will their open OpenOffice and look > for a button to start it? > > Another example. How many times have you been sent an email with no text > content, but a .doc or .ppt attachment, with *nothing* but images? This > is a direct result of Microsoft putting an 'email document' ( or > whatever ) button in Office ... people *never* learn how to use their > computer properly - they have no idea of the boundaries between > applications, and no idea of what the hell they're doing. Take away > their MS Office, and they can't attach things to emails - from the sound > of it there any many who can't even OPEN their email. This dumbing down > of software & user is what's behind the 'WWWWAAAAaaaaaaaahhhhhh ... > where's my integrated mail client?' posts. This is NOT in the interests > of ANY open-source project ( or commercial for that matter ) that > competes with Microsoft. > > Now ... what do we do about this sorry situation? While I agree with > your motivation to help users, I don't think pandering to their wishes > in this particular way is constructive. What *would* be good, is if > people actually learnt how to perform simple tasks ... like attach > something to an email. Perhaps some HOWTOs on common tasks, with > screenshots, and maybe videos, would be appropriate? > > But here comes the bad news. Those who would most benefit from viewing > and learning this would in all probability screw up their noses and > demand once more "INTEGRATION, God damn it, or I'll go back to > Microsoft!". > > For my part, I'm teaching those around me. I have about half our office > on Linux & OpenOffice, and also a couple of friends have converted, > including one guy who installed Linux on his brand new Mac ( the ones > with the HUGE screens ). > > I've found that people learn very fast when they want to, and not at all > when they don't. > > Lastly, here's something REALLY funny. I just opened OpenOffice and > looked at the toolbars, wondering where you'd put such a button, and > guess what? It's already there - sitting right next to the 'save' > button. I even tried it out, without configuring anything. I typed some > text into a document, hit the email button, and OOo saved the document > and handed it to Evolution. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. So, > going back to the original poster ( if he's still paying attention ), > exactly *what* further integration is required?
He he... yes, I didn't think of that button, maybe because I never use it. When I send thing I login to my Gmail account (if I'm not logged in already) and attach the damned thing from there... Well, I agree with most of the things you wrote, but somehow there have to be a way to make people stay, even if nobody seems to know exactly how at the moment. About the integrated email thing, maybe someone should create a page and upload somewhere, which we can link to every time someone ask this question. A page that says something like "Why OpenOffice.org does not include this and that", explaining how to get around that "problem" and so on. Maybe something to include in the FAQ as well, even if nobody seems to read them anyway... J.R. -- > Daniel Kasak >
