Arnold: Sadly, I disagree with both Harold and you. Forced registration will make users read through the archives prior to joining the list. I've answered over fifty times the same question on installing X11 on the Mac so that OpenOffice.org will function. If a user finds a new problem, then they will take the time to join. Having participated on open lists that 'suddenly' went closed because of the high volume of trash traffic and repeat messages. I hold my position. Also, the Readme needs a real rewrite, not just a glossing over...
James McKenzie -----Original Message----- >From: Arnold Huzen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Jan 5, 2007 5:07 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [users] Forced Registration For This List (was Re: [users] Return >receipts) > >On the risk of starting this discussion again (3rd time in the last >year?), I still think that Harold is absolutely right! An effort should >be made to reconsider the way we communicate, because the one we are >having now is annoying for users that just want an answer to their question > >Arnold Huzen > > > >Harold Fuchs schreef: >> On Friday, January 05, 2007 2:27 PM [GMT+1=CET], James Mckenzie >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> Harold: >>> >>> No the problem is that our Readme makes it look like >>> [email protected] is a technical HELP DESK. That is, I send you a >>> message and a panel of service agents send me a reply with the >>> answer. This NEEDS TO BE FIXED. A better readme would definitely >>> help. If people were aware that [email protected] was a mailing >>> list and we ENFORCED SUBSCRIPTION that would end a lot of the "I need >>> a widget" messages. >>> >>> James McKenzie >> <snip> >> James, >> >> I think you probably know my feelings abut forced subscription to this >> list. I think it's a mistake because of the high volume of, to the OPs >> (mainly newbies), largely irrelevant traffic. If I asked a question >> about why my OOo version x Writer on Windows version y behaves as it >> does or how to make it do xyz I'd be *very* irritated with dozens if >> not hundreds of replies about Calc on Linux or Base on a Mac. Think >> what you'd feel if it was a commercial Help Desk and you got all that >> "garbage" in response to a simple question. I'd doubt the company's >> competence and therefore the quality of its product. >> >> There are many schemes where a user can submit a question via a web >> form and request to be notified by e-mail whenever (and only when) >> anyone responds to the question. This way the newbie only gets >> responses to his/her question but can, by browsing the archives, read >> other people's Q&As. Most of these schemes require "registration" in >> the sense that they want to verify your e-mail address before thay >> allow you to post a question. I have *no* objection to that. Many of >> the schemes require, during the registration process, that you enter a >> string of letters and/or numbers that are displayed graphically (non >> text, usually distorted in some way). This is to avoid automated >> registration programs. I have no objection to that either. I doubt it >> would be complex to include a "let me see everything" option so that >> you and I and the other volunteers would get all the questions as well >> as all the answers. >> >> It might even be possible for me to say "let me see everything except >> Mac stuff" or for someone to say "Write and Calc but not Impress or >> Base". But that's possibly gilding the lily. >> >> Another benefit of using a web form is that we could *require* certain >> info like OOo version number & Opsys/version which we seem to spend a >> lot of time asking for because the OP doesn't give it. >> >> Regards, Harold >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
