Bill: I agree that new users are always a good thing. However, when we are answering the same issue time and time again and the information is available from the FAQ, it gets to be a little more than boring. This shows that our Readme and installation processes are not in sync. And it does not show that our audience is not stupid and definitely not ignorant, but lazy. If they can ask a question rather than dig through poorly written documentation, they will ask. Thus our documentation needs to be looked at and rewritten and brought current.
James McKenzie -----Original Message----- >From: William Case <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Jan 6, 2007 2:53 PM >To: James Mckenzie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Cc: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [users] Forced Registration For This List (was Re: [users] >Return receipts) > >Hi; > >I would like to jump into this debate. I think the mailing list is >missing an opportunity here. > >On Fri, 2007-01-05 at 19:56 -0700, James Mckenzie wrote: >> 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. > >Yes and hopefully there will continue to be new users. And, many of >them may not know how to get started, particularly, if they come from >solely Windows or OSX environments. > >My experience with volunteer groups has been to let the experienced >members hang back when it comes to repetitive or simple questions and >encourage others to tackle responding. In those cases, the normal >monitors take on the role as mentors to new responders, encouraging and >correcting how the the request for help was handled. Corrections could >be done on the mailing list or if necessary a direct post to the newer >responder. > >Repeat questions need not be boring, but can be useful. To me, >convoluted backwards beginner's questions are a sign of someone who >needs real help not a sign of stupidity simply to be gotten rid of -- or >laziness. For someone new to OpenOffice who may be dieing of frustration >and unable to ask a rudimentary question because they don't even know >where to start, a forced trip down archive alley could be the straw that >sends back to something they know -- like MicroSoft Office. > > >> 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 >> >[snip] >-- >Regards Bill > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >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]
