[ILUG] [way OT] Word 2003 problems...

[John Madden]

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On (11/07/05 18:41), P J didst pronounce:
> >Google might have been a good place. And the problem was not at all 
> >obscure, if you know anything about Word use at all. And if you don't 
> >perhaps some training or reading might be in order.
> 
> I disagree... I think most people would consider this problem reasonably 
> obscure.  Its difficult to read the Word manual when you dont even know the 
> question that you are trying to ask.  Interesting that your solution to 
> this technical problem is to "read the manual or get some training". A 
> gracious and classy response.

Perhaps it should've been "post the question to a relevant forum"?

> Accepted, but I MIGHT have been using Word on Linux.  It is possible, and 
> its also possible that my problem might have arisen from using Word on 
> Linux.  No one even asked if this was the case.  Also, I have been looking 

One would presume that, if this was the case, the OT would've been left
out of the subject, and the original post would've stated that it was
being run on Linux.

> Perhaps it was my mention of MS Word that raised the blood of the 
> anti-Microsoft zealots amongst you.  Must be difficult to carry all that 
> rage inside.

No, I think it was more the forum where you raised the question. It was
very obviously not the correct forum for looking for help with this
specific problem.

> If the purpose of the ILUG is to promote and support the use of Linux and 
> Open Source software, some people here need to rethink their startegies.  
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Word is the complete opposite of this. People here, in the past, have
graciously answered questions relating to OOo running on Windows, simply 
because it's FOSS. This has nothing to do with strategies, it's about
keeping up the quality of this list, and keeping the archives useful to
Linux and FOSS users.

> My (short admittedly) experience of this mailing list has left me with the 
> impression that some contributors are technological snobs who have a very 
> large chip on thier shoulder, and would rather tell someone to go and "get 
> a training course" than provide some help, and mention politely that this 
> might not be the appropriate forum to ask a similar question in the future.

This _isn't_ the apporpriate forum for support on Microsoft software, so
you really should not be surprised that it annoyed some people to see
the post. Personally, I couldn't care less, and deleted it when I saw
the subject. However, the point that it could lessen the usefulness of
the archives if these types of posts continue is a very valid one. It
would also weaken the stance of ILUG in general, as well as promoting
free support for a monopolistic company.

> Thank you very much to all who had the good manners to attempt to answer my 
> question.  To some other respondents... well done for slapping down and 
> alienating the newbie.

This has nothing to do with you personally, but you have to realise what
_is_ appropriate to post to the list, and what is not. Most (if not all)
members of ILUG will attempt to answer any question you post (generally
providing you've done some research yourself to try and figure out the
problem), presuming it's in line with the reasons for having a group
like this. If you're interested in Windows, Word, Office 2k3 or whatever
else, then please use another forum for those questions. However, in
general, questions about FOSS, no matter what platform they're running
on, will generally be answered (or at least an attempt will be made)
because this _does_ relate closely to the reason for the existance of
ILUG.
> 
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> 
> -- 
> Irish Linux Users' Group
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- -- 
Chat ya later,

John.
- --
BOFH excuse #13: we're waiting for [the phone company] to fix that line
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