Re: [cobalt-users] Re: Cobalt Wish List If you must respond to this do it off the board!

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> I did a search through my own archives going back to December 2, 1999,
>> and I looked for your email address.  I stand by my numbers for the past
>> almost six months.  You may have posted more before that date, though,
>> or from another email address.
>> 
> Well jeff perhaps you should check the real archives before you dribble all
> over this list with incorrect information.  I did and found 17 all within
> the last 6 months.

Jeff posts more than 17 posts per week.  I have found him to be
professional, knowledgeable and helpful.  In fact, I would say if we were to
compile a list of the top ten most useful people on the list, he'd be in it.



>> Everything that I've learned about the gui, I learned on this board, or
>> by myself.  I've not visited Cobalt, and though I've developed a good
>> rapport with some people inside Cobalt, I've done that by helping with
>> support, not by tearing them down.
>> 
> Do You Work For Them???? Nope Didn't think so?  I bet they love you over
> there but guess what.  It's because your trying to do their job (That they
> hardly do) for FREE!.  Hey do you want to work for me for free to?  I need
> someone to clean the stalls in the barn?  BTW perhaps you should take the
> Cobalt class on the GUI IF they ever schedule one.... Personally I like
> Facts and not Chat to do my research with.

Are you serious about a cobalt GUI class?  If you are willing to fly up here
I have a couple of clients that would be more than willing to teach you the
finer points.  Even my old employer offers educational services, for a
pretty decent deal.  Worst case you could hire a Systems Engineer that is
really knowledgeable on Cobalt gear and walk you through everything.  I
would be capable of doing something like this but honestly educational
services have never been my bag.

The Cobalt GUI is really designed for people that understand the underlying
technology that is the Internet.  Obviously, if you don't have the
fundamentals, everything is going to be greek to you.  It comes back to my
previous post about jumping into a professional field without first making
sure that you have the necessary skills to perform the tasks.  I'm not
flaming, I'm just saying that this stuff is like anything--if you're serious
about it you can't just jump right in.

I didn't wake up one morning and say "I want to run an Internet Service" and
poof it happened.  I had to work hard, learn the ins and outs of networking,
routing, DNS, TCP/IP, web serving, cgi scripting, database management.

>> I've used Unix since Microsoft Xenix ran on a TRS-80 Model II, and
>> before that I used Tops on the Dec PDP-10.  I've used TRS-DOS, LDOS,
>> DOS+, and I've even written BIOSes and BDOSes for CP/M +.
>> 
>> I've taught systems analysis in college.
>> 
> Yeh Rah!  Did you ever take a class in common curtisoy?  I started a little
> farther up the ladder on the useful list btw.....

Honestly there is *nothing* rude or off-putting in his post.  It is
accurate, and may not be what you want to hear.  He is being polite, and
trying to put some perspective on the situation.

>> So I suggest you take the time to learn, learn, and learn.
>> 
> Why bother?  Without the support of the factory the product line is doomed
> to become another "Boat Anchor" in my storage.  The poor support by Cobalt
> and people using there best guess can only lead to people looking at other
> manufactures?  Like Dell Hosting services....  Why would you stick with a
> company with next to no support?  Do you like working on old out dated
> equipment with no support and no drivers?  Do you still run your TRS 80?
> The only thing to learn about is the GUI software!  Who cares?  as far as
> I'm concerned the GUI can be deleted anytime.... It's just Linux!

Again, I don't feel that it is Cobalt supports responsibility to make sure
you know the underlying technologies.  The GUI vastly simplifies most
processes.  And they have gotten glowing reviews for the ease of use that is
demonstrated by their products.

> Now if you can come up with an logical response to the first letter fine...
> Otherwise Please spare this list your junk mail and self promotion crap!
> Cobalt Needs to develop a sound support group or in time they will be out of
> biz and we will have nobody to talk to!

I can tell you are frustrated, but you are being silly.  No one here is
trying to be the bad guy.  This is a solid support group, and most problems
get solved very quickly.

Take a peek at the archives and do a search for 'this list sucks' or
something similar.  I don't think you'll find that much.  I do remember
several people posting things to the effect of "thank god for this list.".

One thing I have learned in life (one of only few, as I am fairly young) is
this:  If you are always upset at everything and everyone, and everyone is
always seems to be a jerk to you--and this is a fairly universal
occurance--perhaps its not them? I used to work with this one guy who was
*always* complaining about how the people at the car place were jerks, the
people at the hotel were jerks, the people at the restaurant were jerks,
etc.  What I learned by watching him interact with people is that he always
was a jerk, and they only reciprocated.  He was always having customer
service type problems with his clients, yet I had an amiable, professional,
even friendly one with mine.  So the lesson I learned is that people are, in
general as nice to you as you are to them.  If you are a jerk to them, they
are a jerk to you.  If you are nice to them they are nice to you.  Its a
lesson that I was glad to have learned at such a early stage in my life.

So I would take a step back and say "Hey, why is it that all these people
are being jerks to me.  Perhaps I gave the wrong impression and they were
off-put by me.  Perhaps I am part of the problem and can also be part of the
solution?"

Your tirade earlier did not get everyone off on the right foot.

-k