On 06-10-2008 12:25 PM, André Schnabel wrote:
Hi,
Datatude schrieb:
So much about OOo is geared to programmers. Using IRC to discuss
"community" issues is a prime example. IRC, while it does have
advantages over other communication methods (as far as I understand
it) requires:
-- a software client most people do not have installed on their
computers
same for AIM
I guess I'm coming from the standpoint of a limited-view Mac user. Macs
come with iChat installed. No AIM chat client is installed on Windows?
Anyhow, I was thinking more about chat.aim.com, where anyone who is
interested can use a free AIM screenname to sign into a chat room. As a
sample, just now I created one called OOo Council at
http://chat.aim.com/chats/international/ooo-council -- it took me 3
seconds to create this chat and folks can simply use their browsers to
participate.
-- knowledge of how to find the right server and get on the right
channel
same for AIM
Well, maybe some day I'll look again at IRC but it seemed a much much
geekier process to find someone via IRC than to simply double-click an
Available buddy in my AIM (iChat) contact list.
-- understanding of all the lingo, commands, etc
same for AIM
There are no commands necessary for AIM. Nothing akin to using the type
of stuff I started reading about at
http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html, I found the need
to memorize or refer to a list of commands while chatting a complete
turn-off. To join an AIM chat simply click on your buddy's name in your
contact list (no need to know "what server" or "what channel"). To leave
a chat just close the window. Done. If joining a chat room with a larger
group, use chat.aim.com instead of AOL Instant Messenger or iChat.
(there are several ICQ clients that are as easy as other IM cleints,
that use AIM servers)
But if OOo is not using an AIM server, I'm not sure how this is
relevant. And if OOo is using an AIM IRC server, why not just use the
"chatting" folks are more familiar with? At least here in the US, I know
exactly ONE person among my dozens of friends, colleagues and clients
(and I am in a technical profession) who would know how to use IRC. But
she no longer bothers because nobody else uses it for everyday purposes.
If OOo's Council (and other OOo groups) truly want to provide broad
accessibility to the masses of folks interested in participating (for
I do believe that a mass of interested people does exist) you must
move, IMO, *away from IRC*. Use AIM servers and typical chat clients.
So maybe the barrier might be lower for some .. it is higher for
others (I know a lot of users who never used AIM).
Have a look at 'OOo Council" on chat.aim.com right now....
I would probably be available to help develop by-laws or just to provide
"average end-user" type of feedback on OOo governance and project
accessibility, but not if I have to install and learn to configure
special software. I wonder how many other folks read "IRC meeting" and
think "what's IRC??"
Sorry but there's just no comparison between IRC and the ease-of-use of
more modern forms of chatting.
Ilyse
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