2008/6/12 Drew Jensen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Hello, > > Please - IMO this list is to offer help to other users of > OpenOffice.org. This application runs on a variety of operating systems. > > The majority of new users of the application, at least those becoming > users by downloading the software from download.openoffice.org, are > running a Microsoft Windows operating system. > > Exhibit: Yesterdays downloads, all versions by OS, from the > OpenOffice.org mirrors. > > Solaris = 236 > Linux = 6062 > Mac OS X = 10137 > Windows = 200427 > > Some of those new users will have difficulty installing and configuring > the software on their machines. Some will be asking questions about > using the application. > > If the number of users asking for assistance seem to be higher for > Microsoft Windows users it may very well be due to the overwhelming > disparity in download rates. For Linux of course the main route to a new > user is perhaps more likely via their distro, and so they may be asking > on the mailing lists or forums for that distro. > > Whatever the reason - If you are interested in helping those individuals > solve their OpenOffice.org specific problems or answer their questions > regarding this software application great. If the questions are > regarding installation then it is by definition for the Operating System > they use. > > Some of them are going to be interested in other packages, Linux, > Mozilla, etc. - but by no means all of them. If they ask about an email > application for instance, well there you go give your advice all you want. > > If they don't - then may I please suggest that we stick to helping them > with OpenOffice.org. > > A smooth transition to a major FOSS package without feeling like they > are being proselytized from day one might be the best way to convert > them in the end, if that is what you are really interested in anyway. > > In other words - the application is OS neutral for the most part - this > list should be also. > > Sincerely, > > Just me. > >
I agree. Mea culpa I suppose for being at least a major initiator of several OT threads about OS's. But I do hope I've not been proselytising. I also agree that Windows at the moment is liable to elicit more questions partly because it's more prevalent than other OSs but also because, perhaps, its users are less used to downloading and installing "stranger" software; I certainly get the feeling that many of the installation problems come from people for whom OOo is the first package they've installed that didn't come in the box with their PC. They are also, perhaps, not used to getting free (or any) support and therefore frequently don't know what information they need to supply. On a slightly different but related topic, are you sure your numbers are right? In particular " Windows = 200427". Two hundred thousand in one day? -- Harold Fuchs London, England Please reply *only* to [email protected]
