community Digest, Vol 36, Issue 45

Jonathon Suggs jsuggs at murmp.com
Fri Jul 20 16:55:34 CEST 2007


Adam Krikstone wrote:
> IRC and lists are great tools at sending and distributing information 
> fast.  However, as more users, especially ones with little to no 
> experience with linux, begin purchasing neo's these lists will be 
> inundated with drivel.  There is only ~1000 people on this list and 
> look at simple problems with a glitch with gmail.  I get 90+ messages 
> about "is gmail broken," "gmail isn't working," "I think it is gmail," 
> etc.  Do you really want to check your inbox and get 5000-10000+ 
> messages about simple mundane things as the neo's are released to the 
> mass market?  I suggested a forum to act as a buffer between the 
> public and IRC/lists.  The IRC/lists can be for developers/advanced 
> users and consumers can stay in the forums. 
 From the consumers standpoint, I think that a forum is mandatory.  If 
the plan is really to mass market this then IRC and/or mailinglists are 
*NOT* no matter how useful/easy/better *YOU* think they are going to 
work. If someone can't get to information easily with their web browser, 
and do something that they are familiar with (ie. forums are a VERY 
common tool), then they will NOT be able to get the help that they need 
and will be disappointed.

Mass marketing a device *IS* different from developing a device, not 
matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise.  You might have 
to succumb to using (or at least allowing) what YOU feel is an inferior 
tool if it will make things easier for the other less technical 
users/consumers out there.  Besides, do you really want to have to 
answer the same questions over and over on the mailing list?

Bottom line, keep an open mind.  Realize that just because something 
works for you doesn't mean that it will work for everyone.  And trust me 
when I say that IRC and mailinglists will not work for everyone.

-Jonathon

PS, I wasn't targeting my rant at you Adam.




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