[Ilugc] Re: ILUC Meet on Saturday
- From: knura@xxxxxxxxx (Arun Khan)
- Date: Mon Dec 15 23:10:07 2008
On Monday 15 Dec 2008, ?. ???? ???????|Sri Ramadoss M wrote:
On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 5:48 PM, Arun Khan <knura@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Isn't there a lesson in it? What a "User" expect is some one who
sits and explains the way he has to use the software or a proper
answer.
Then they should be ready to pay some fee for hand holding. IMO,
having the same expectation from a volunteer LUG group such
We always site mailing list as a place where one can seek help. When
one seek help it has to properly answered, whether it is paid or
volunteered.
With so many forums, some specializing for newbies with step by step
howtos, a google search usually comes up with some solution; more often
than not, this has been my experience. In most lists, members are
willing to help those who have tried to help themselves but when
someone asks for "step by step" guide or repeats a query (without
showing any effort on his/her part) that has already been discussed and
solved, then it is not surprising to see "have you at least made an
attempt to search for the answer?"
I have also noticed that when end users are asked to give more details
of their problems (with suggested tools) they just drop out of the
scene.
If a volunteered effort isn't going to be as good as paid one, then
there is no wonder people considering it 'not for them'..
It is not possible to make everyone happy. If some people feel it
is "not for them," so be it. Everybody does *not* have to switch.
Being a member of several LUG lists, I will say that the quality of help
from FOSS/Linux mailings lists/forums is equal or better than the paid
support especially when users have done some home work and then sought
help.
not answers like google yourself first.. its there you take it..
People who are not willing make *any* attempt to help themselves do
not deserve help from others. These folks are *not* interested in
learning, all they want is a quick (and perhaps not so clean)
solution to their problem.
I am not referring to Students or Computer Science Professionals.
An end user.. We say we help you on mailing lists, When they come
here, I believe We should not say, Google before you ask here.
IMO, mailing lists and even web forums are not the place for the end
users to seek help, unless they are tech savvy due to their own
initiatives.
Typical end users on the prop. platform go to the guy who installed the
OS and the apps _or_ they ask one of their computer buddies to fix the
problem for them. Businesses, including small ones, typically buy an
AMC to service their IT issues. This has been my experience, I don't
see them going to Windows forums to seek help.
and proprietary people do not do that..
Really? MS charges $25-35 per incident for help (desktop OS) over
the phone. More complex stuff - they refer you to their solutions
partner in your neighborhood.
Off-course they do it for price. But they do it. They spoon feed for
price.
Precisely, people should be willing to pay for spoon feeding service -
there is no such thing as a free lunch.
To this end, I would suggest that there be a list of individuals who can
spare time for hand holding (for a small fee). A percentage of the fee
can go to fund the various FOSS software projects and LUG activities.
At the end of the day all parties should feel they are getting
something out of it.
--
Arun Khan
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