I also believe that we need to convince people to learn something new
instead of having someone do it for them, actually *try* something instead
of saying "Can I ....?", to elevate themselves. Yes, computers have gotten
to be more user-friendly but instead of encouraging people to pick up new
skills, some people have grown lazy and expect others, who generally learned
things the old-fashion way (trial and error), to do it for them or tell them
how to do something step by step.
My personal policy is that I will teach someone how to do something. I'll
even show them two or three times but if I even get an inkling that they are
just letting me do their work, I stop. I have enough of my own work to do
without doing someone else's.
--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
JoAnn
Humour is a lost art for sure, but I am attempting a revival, as are you
and the other PubVP's..
I accept Erika's statement to a point, but if people want nice, they
should be in a Religious bookstore.. here we give advice, and try to
educate a little.. there is nothing wrong with coercing computer users
into trying the Publisher 'Insert' function themselves, and oft times, it
takes more than a 'pretty please'..
--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
"JoAnn Paules [MVP]" wrote in message
.. .
I love your ideas for templates!!! Especially the Dad one. With my dad it
would be "Dad figured out which end of screwdriver to use all by
himself!".
I think humor is getting to be a lost art. And laughing at oneself is so
much fun - I do it a lot!
--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Erika
There are already websites covering some of the most frequently asked
questions.. it is as easy for an OP to type their questions into a
Google or MSN search to find them, but some have already done this..
what they want when they come here is a simple explanation in laymen
terms, something like a two line answer that covers all exits.. that is
not going to happen in many cases..
People expect, unreasonably so, to be able to buy Publisher and find a
certificate template like 'Dad washing his first dish', and do not like
the idea of having to learn how to customise an existing template..
anything more than a 5 minute tutorial is often more than they have time
to do..
There has been criticism by some at the amount of websites one is
directed to by MVPs.. accusations of us not knowing are stuff are not
uncommon.. so what are we expected to do?.. type out long personalised
answers addressing each OP's specific need, no answer ever requiring any
ability on the OP's part?.. we are volunteers here, and have a life
outside of offering to do their child's school project for them..
sometimes, we just can't win..
JoAnn might remember the guy who had bought Publisher such that his son
could do something towards a school project... he was horrified to find
out that his son would not just be able to click the 'Finish the school
project' button.. when one or two of us suggested that he sit with his
son and experiment a little, we were told in no uncertain terms that he
did not have time for that, and that Microsoft should make it clear on
the packaging that MS Publisher is not easy to use..
Overall, I think that this is one of the better newsgroups, one of my
reasons for coming here at all.. the 'Publisher crew', Ed, Mary, Brian,
JoAnn (apologies to anybody missed) are a good bunch.. they mix
expertise with humour, which is a good thing.. unfortunately, humour to
one person is offence to another..
So answer me this.. why isn't there a template for a gay Jewish wedding
planner in Chinese characters cos they look pretty and the 'bride' is
into Fung Shui where the location for the ceremony and reception is on
Nasa's 747 used for 'weightless' training.. and why isn't there a
template for a fund raising event that includes all of the people on my
local Church social group?.. I am a very busy person and do not have the
time to learn how to use Publisher, by the way..
--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
"Erika" wrote in message
...
JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What
drives me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to
make a newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no
idea where they need their help. Do they not know to use a template?
Are they trying to use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't
print tabloid? Are they trying to send it to someone else for whatever
reason and that person doesn't have Publisher?
These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question
is...?" I prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official
crystal ball that others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others
and really appreciate it when they supply me with enough information
to do so.
I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found
there way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about
newsgroups in general, and they've probably just forked out a
substantial amount of money for a program that's frustrating them. They
don't come in as trolls.
You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop
or whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state
your question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we
get in the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need
might be listed there."
It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.
I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think
it's worth trying. :-)
--
Hugs, Erika