Re: [libreoffice-users] LibreOffice and OpenOffice

Hi  , Tom,

Likewise, I used to encourage the use of open source software also.  And on
a personal level, I always try to find an open source program for my use.

And my issue is not with the software itself.  Even though my impression is
the software is sometimes slightly buggier, the problems seem to be when
using advanced functions.  And a function I don't think the average user is
likely to attempt.

It's user support where things fall flat on it's face.  I only have one
person in my family and friends who would even have a clue as to how to
utilize a mailing list.  It's way too cumbersome and clunky for the people I
know.  Even I had trouble figuring this one out!  LOL

There are a lot of users out there, I believe, that could make use of open
source software, but these people usually don't even understand
directories/folders, partitioning, the very basics of using a computer.
When I start to talk to them about disk cleanup and defragging (Windows),
you should see the blank faces I encounter.  :-)

But surprisingly, some of them have figured out how to use forums.  Even
thought a lot of the forums have very nice editors, the fourms seem to be
lousy when it comes to instructions on how to use the editor.  The Open
Office forum editor has the /list commands, but how my average people will
know anything about using HTML commands?  I will own up to not looking for
instructions, but there's also no link to instructions that I've spotted.

Searching the help info tends to be a PITA.  If you want to see a place
where help has really gone downhill, check Microsoft!   LOL  MS is where I
always went to seek help, especially the knowledge base link.  I can't find
that link anymore.  :-(  So now my first choices are Google and Ask.com.

As a friend of mine observed years ago when MS stopped providing manuals and
introduced online help, "What good is online help if you can't get online?"
It's still a valid point today, as I still have not come in contact with a
computer user that was born with basic computer knowledge.   :-)

My personal preference would be a forum that's available through both a
browser and a newsreader.  I would actually use a newsreader, as I do not
have DSL nor unlimited data download, and a browser/forum combination is a
resource hog.  :-(  And like the new Verizon vs. iPhone/ATT commercials, I
do pay more for less.

I  have LB on Mac, Vista, and XP, and will continue to use it.  But, until
help is easier to obtain online, I can't, in good conscience, recommend
using open source software in a general sense.  I will tell them about it,
but I will also tell them that accessing help is not always easy for the
average user.


And additional observation that seems to apply to all software providers
these days, is they seem to assume, when it comes to their help files, users
are at the junior high level, and completely ignore the elementary level
users.  Not to mention many help files basically suck.  :-(  They seem to
tell you that you can do X, but don't bother to tell you how to do X.  :-)

No one seems to view their product through the eyes of a beginner or simply
new to their product.

Time to go shovel out, and head for my Mac user group meeting!   LOL


Ken


On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 12:46 PM, Tom Browder <tom.browder@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 12:14, Ken Springer <snowshed@dishmail.net> wrote:
> ...
> > Where is the best place to join to express why I will NOT recommend Libre
> > Office to my friends?  My issues generally apply to all open source
> > software, not just Libre Office.
>
> I do just the opposite.  I would love to hear why you do not recommend
> FOSS to your friends?
>
> Best,
>
> -Tom
>
> Thomas M. Browder, Jr.
> Niceville, Florida
> USA
>
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-- 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Springer

"All progress depends upon the unreasonable person."
George Bernard Shaw


Cheap prices make for cheap goods; cheap goods make for
cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country!"
President William McKinley


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