Re: [tdf-discuss] Re: x86_64 Windows build

Peter Rodwell wrote:
> Quoting T. J. Brumfield:
>
> > However, in developing countries Android tablets may be the most 
> > accessible
> > and affordable computing platform of the future. It shouldn't be 
> > ignored.
>
> Agreed -- it certainly shouldn't be ignored, I just think that giving it
> priority over Windows is ridiculous, is all.
>
> > Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Next should be platforms of the future.
>
> Exactly!
Oops!  I deleted the letter I was going to reply to which was on the UI 
thread, but this thread is almost as on topic to what I intended to say 
so I will stick it onto this one.    First thing, the font selector has 
been where it is for so long, that I think it would be a serious mistake 
to mess with it.  From the very first WISIWIG word processors it has 
been at about that spot, and has worked about the way it does now.  My 
first Windows WP was not MS Word, or even Word Perfect, it was a program 
that few people today even remember, WordStar.    People just expect 
some of the most basic things in a WP program to be where they have 
always been, and it is unwise to change them without a truly compelling 
reason. 

I suspect that the actual typical user of OOo/LO is a home user, who 
uses it because they could not afford MS Word, or at least could not 
justify the cost of it for home use.  Most of the documents created with 
Writer are probably not screenplays, legal pleadings, or technical 
manuals, but rather have file names like, Xmas Newsletr 10, or Letr to 
Aunt Joan, or Garagesalesign.  The database is probably used most for 
things like keeping track of record or DVD collections, or membership 
lists for clubs or fraternal organizations.  Little kids use Draw for a 
coloring book.  Elementary  school kids use Writer for their school 
papers, ones that have to be turned in as hard copy.  If I had to guess, 
it would be that the single most common use for the spreadsheet is to do 
check registers for personal checking accounts.

I would also guess that many of the businesses that use OOo/LO do so 
because someone in management used the program at home and liked it.  
Power user features and capabilities certainly lead to corporate and 
government use of the suite, but basic ease of use for simple things is 
what gets people to try it in the first place.   

I could be wrong about this, but what I suspect, is that nothing else 
could promote the popularity of LO more than having a good users manual 
in the download package.  Despite the truth of the old saying "When all 
else fails, read the manual".  A lot of users like to read a good manual 
to find out what else they could do with a program that they aren't 
doing now.  Also I would recommend formatting the manual for 8.5x11 
rather than the usual 5x7 so that if the users want a hard copy it won't 
result in the usual horrible amount of paper waste that you get with 5x7 
formats.  For example being able to get the whole thing onto 60 pages 
rather than needing 100.  Or perhaps format both ways, 5x7 for on 
screen, and 8.5x11 for printing.  Help functions are OK as far as it 
goes, but many times you need a hard copy so that you can read how to do 
a thing while actually doing it. 

Many times I see the question, how can we be better than Microsoft, this 
is one place where this would be easy.  In recent years MS has declined 
badly in user support, especially in the area of user manuals.  They may 
do all right with the Fortune 500, but with small business, to say 
nothing of home users, frankly they suck!  They have also gotten sloppy 
with little details about how their software works, one thing I have 
noticed, Win 7 files incorrectly, files with numeral titles, as an 
example, the following files 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5  end up filed in the 
following order 6.5, 6, 7.5, 7  We all know that this is idiotic and 
WRONG!  My point is that it shouldn't be that hard to put out a product 
that people perceive as better than such junk.  Time for me to get off 
of my soapbox now.  Robert Derman

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