I use Outlook because no email client under linux will handle my mailbox size gracefully (squirrelmail is the only thing that comes close, weird), and I need the scheduling crap to interact with the rest of the company. But, I can still read Bob's messages just fine. And if I couldn't, I would just ignore them. :) > -----Original Message----- > From: Shawn Fertch [mailto:fertch at mninter.net] > Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 9:46 AM > To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org > Subject: Re: [TCLUG] Outlook X-message-flag hack and its > backlash; Feedback wanted. > > > I have to agree with Andy. While Bob is trying to spread the word of > Linux, and allow people to see the shortcomings of MS and > their products. > My thought is that you "Need" to be professional about it. > > Even if you word things very carefully, many people take > offense at what > the message says. I been on both receiving and giving side, > as I'm sure > most everyone has as well. > > With Bob, he's kind of in a dangerous situation. He's doing > what he feels > right by spreading the word of Linux, as well as trying to > help out his > clients to come to a better solution. However, people take offense at > some trivial things like this even with the most carefully of worded > e-mails. Or footers of e-mails. I don't know how many of > RT's clients > are primarily Windows users, but regardless, if he makes them mad at > him/RT because of something he puts on an e-mail he loses business. > > While I still use Windows (about 50% of the time), and I > prefer Linux and > want to see if prosper, I still take a negative approach to > e-mails that > spew forth negativiy towards MS in a spiteful manner. If you > want me (or > clients) to see how much of a better solution Linux is than > Windows, try > doing something like the following (but keep it short): > > example of a footer on company e-mail: > > %company% is a Linux solutions provider. If you would like to see how > linux could be a better alternative for you and your company, > please check > out the following information: > http://linux_links.com > http://linux_compared_to_windows.com > If this has sparked some interest in you, please feel free to > inquire... > > People react negatively towards "forced feeding" of ideas and > thoughts. > Let them make the decision of whether they want to look into > it or not, > also allow them to feel like they are making a choice to > better themselves > or their company. > > > > > On Mon, 4 Feb 2002 18:20:54 -0600 (CST) > andy at theasis.com wrote: > > > Many of the people who post to this list make horrible errors in > > spelling > > and grammar, clearly beyond simple typos. One could claim > that English > > speakers should be aware of these errors and their effects, > and bounce > > back mails with commentary on how things should be spelled > or worded. Do > > you think anyone would be pissed off by that? > > > > Such presumption puts people off and closes their minds > very quickly. > > Even > > if you try to be polite, people will be offended or > otherwise bothered > > by > > either your choice of words or your attempts to push your message on > > them. > > If the message is only some word *you* want to promote regardless of > > whether someone wants to hear it, then header, attachment, > or a whole > > mail, then I don't see how it's better than spam. If it really is > > important to the recipients, you don't get through to them > by pissing > > them > > off. If you want to make a positive difference you need to get their > > attention in a way that they'll respond to in a non-negative way. > > > > > Personally, Bob can put whatever the hell he wants in his > e-mail. If > > you > > > > That's true for anyone. But if you actually have a goal, > the reasons for > > doing something like this should be evaluated in terms of > the results > > you > > actually get, not those you *think* you should get. > > > > Andy (a different one) > _______________________________________________ > Twin Cities Linux Users Group Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. > Paul, Minnesota > http://www.mn-linux.org > tclug-list at mn-linux.org > https://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >