Re: [cobalt-users] Let's get this over with...

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 9/1/00 7:50 AM, Rodolfo Paiz at rpaiz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> As I see it, Cobalt should take a *far* more active role in making this
> list (or list of groups if it becomes that) a useful resource. The FAQ,
> the HOW-TO, the usable archives...

The whole point is that this is not Cobalt's deal--they simply provide the
resource.  That way we can chat about 'unsupported' solutions taht they
can't put on their website.

> <flame> Frankly, the archives just suck. I do a fair amount of
> blundering around on my systems, and I paid $1500 for the privilege of
> having a Qube at home just so I could learn on it. I do at least a dozen
> archive searches a week, and they're absosmurfly miserable, not to be
> more graphic about it. WE NEED A BETTER WAY. </flame>

Why is it that I *never* have a problem finding a resource?  Further, you
realize that the content of this list is archived by google, etc.   So you
can search using their logic if you want.

It comes down to my previous post: you have to know what you are talking
bout before you can search intelligently.  This is true of anything on the
internet.  Point in fact: The other day I was looking for information on the
Opel GT car from the 60s/70s.  Except I thought it was "Opal" not "Opel".
Big mistake, got nowhere with it.  I didn't blame the search engines, I
blamed myself for not knowing what it is I was looking for.

> Also, most newbies ask the same darn questions because they're truly not
> aware that somewhere, waiting for them, is the answer to *all* of them.
> In the welcome message to every new subscriber should be: (1) a
> netiquette primer, (2) a pointer to the FAQ, (3) a pointer to the
> archives and instructions on their use.

I beleive this is an *Excellent* idea.  Hopefully it will only get skipped
by 'experienced' mailing list veterans and actually read by people that are
new to this.  Which I think is the way it would work.

> Also, HTML posts to the list should result in a simple AUTOMATED reply
> to the sender saying "Sorry, we do not accept posts in HTML."

Good point.

> But all of these things require some attention from Cobalt. These boxes
> are nice, but the support is $%%^$#@&^$#@$%#@ ATROCIOUS. (This is from
> my experience, from other posters' experience, and from the patches,
> which frankly resemble Microsoft productions.)

Well, we all know my opinion that Cobalt is responsible only for certain
aspects of 'support'.  Above and beyond, it is up to you to get support,
weather it is from your VAR, engineer, or this list.  Its an issue of cost
vs. return.  And too many people get upset when they realize that running a
hosting business costs money--above and beyond equipment.  Thats one of the
things that I have learned with experience.

-k