Many people fail to realize that the vocal reports to lists like these
help out
so many ways.
Sure someone may have an issue that those of us that have used SuSE or even
linux in general could figure out in a few seconds, but because there
are those
that can repair these issues without question, does not mean that a
question to
a mailing list in not needed.
Preston had a valid issue with a public update from SuSE. Questioning
the update
and QA practices of the update team is not un-called for. Even asking for help
and/or verification of the issue is not even remotely uncalled for.
As a community, those of us actively involved should be out there pointing out
the issues that could trip up new users to the linux/SuSE community. Not only
pointing out the issues, but posting a work-around if we happen to know
of one.
The excessive flames/complaints/arrogant chatter that floods many lists is a
common factor that pushes many new users away.
Good example here...
New user gets his copy of SuSE 9.3, does a search relating to Prestons Firefox
issue since he is experiencing the same problems. This list pops up with
Prestons submission on the issue and starts to weed through numerous messages
relating to "being chicken little" and the likes, that not only should
be taken
to him privately off list, but gives this new user a feeling that this list
gripes more than it helps. After 4 or 5 non-sense messages, he pushes away to
find another more reliable source of information or can even push away to the
point of finding another linux distribution that will ultimately cause
Novell/SuSE to lose a possible long term customer.
Either way the end result is bad, not only does a company like this rely on
repeat business from people like us, but it also relies on new business from
new users turning into repeat business.
Alot of whiners on here have turned off many valuable assets to this
list, which
is one of the common reasons for my silence here anymore. So I will
quit wasting
everyones time and apologize to anyone whom happens to browse this
submission in
hopes it provided an answer or something of real value.
RK Davies
Textbox Networks
http://www.textbox.net
Quoting Preston Crawford
On Thu, 2005-05-05 at 14:58 +0100, Ben Higginbottom wrote:
On 5/5/05, Preston Crawford
wrote: It's not a threat. If people take it that way, then that's them.
<snip>
Preston you've been doing the chickenlittle routine for years, every new release you complain about how bad it is and say your switching. When SCO started making noises you said it looked like it was time to switch to the HURD, and IIRC the Novell buyout you never shut up about how it was the end of days.
You're right. I have been chicken little many times over the years. Mostly because I love Linux and I really love SuSE. And when it appears either may be in danger I will be the first to admit that I overreact (although I don't recall ever *seriously* considering the HURD).
It's not because I'm a troll, hate SuSE, or can't admin a Linux distro, though. It's because I want SuSE to continue to survive as a high quality, well thought-out and supported (update-wise) distro. I know there are hiccups. I deal with probably 10 times more hiccups than I talk about, even though it may not seem like that. I roll with them, though. I make backups, I continue to use SuSE. Life goes on. I only pop up when something major breaks or when something major happens (like SCO).
Once again, I didn't think there was anything wrong with worrying about/caring about the state of the SuSE. I now know in the future never to bring this up. I've been told by a vocal number of you that this is just not welcome here. Message received. I won't stop trying to solve the individual problems that crop up. I'll keep my comments about switching to myself. And if one day the problems make the $90 every 6 months not worth it I'll just walk away (for another distro, not an abacus). I've always thought this was a place where we, as a community, could discuss the direction the distribution was headed. I'm sorry I got this wrong.
Preston
-- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com