I still contribute to the old Notes.Net forums. I like it and, on occasion, I get a "thank you" or some other token of appreciation. I am not looking for either, rather, much like this site, I enjoy giving back to all of wonderful people that have helped me along the way.
But today, I can see why some people disappear from the forums.
The question, posted with the title "are we still in the early 90's?:"
why lotus notes is so dumb stupid that cannot turn email address or URL into hyperlink when sent out to any other email system in the world?! and please do not tell me this is rceiving end (client or server) problem. Why do we still have to take multiple extra steps to create hot spot if we want to email someone link to page?? I've been working with LN since 4.6, thru 5, 6, 6.5, 7 and now 8 and same s.... I'm not developer so perhaps someone will explain to me is it so hard to change this behaviour for those working on new releases of Lotus Notes?
Fine. I know what is going on, but I am not replying due to the tone of the question.
But two people that I know and respect dipped their toes into the water, Ben and Stan, who also happen to be two very reasonable and knowledgeable people. They also give to the forum more than they take. By a long shot.
Ben's response was fantastic and I thought that would end the discussion, especially since he answered the question ". . . perhaps someone will explain to me [why] . . . it is so hard to change this behaviour . . . " Stan chimed in, not once but twice, the first time with this. Further, two other Notes heavyweights added to the discussion; André Guirard and Richard Schwartz.
The poster was not to be swayed:
. . . an average user simply doesn't buy this theory that LN is more then email client, for instance comp I work for does not use LN for anything else but email, calendar, IM simple integration with BES and 3rd party fax servers. No home grown domino apps so those people don't care what else it can do.
again I can understand what's behind this design and why it is working like this but will most users buy that? doubt all the want is if they forwarding URL to someone is that this person can click on this, and do not want to take 5 or whatever this number is to create one
I can empathize with the poster. But I also can tell that he hasn't 1) learned anything from all of the people that were trying to help, and 2) wouldn't take the time to track down the message headers to help his users understand where in the flow of mail that something "broke." Trust me, I know that will take some time and effort. While some users may not like to know that an e-mail wasn't received in full fidelity, most would respect the fact that you did everything you could to explain why it wasn't received as expected.
At the same time, you could set their expectations more realistically.
Hats off to Ben, Stan, André, Rich, and the others that took the time to answer. You all have my respect and admiration. I hope that it takes more than this one person to drive you from the forum. I will continue to respond, as I can, but there are some questions that I will not answer. And this was one of them.
I do not mind the newbie questions and gladly respond to them. However, and this was my point, I can see why a lot of knowledge walks away from the Forums, never to return.
28 responses in the thread - will you be adding to it?
Link: developerWorks:Lotus: Tim Powers: are we still in the early 90's?
Comment posted by Nathan T. Freeman03/13/2008 11:14:35 PM
Homepage: http://nathan.lotus911.com
Replied.
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred03/13/2008 11:41:56 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
@Nathan: Great reply! I can't wait to see if there is a response.
Comment posted by Charles Robinson03/14/2008 12:56:48 AM
Homepage: http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com
No, I won't be adding to it. I gave up on the forums except as a repository for information. The signal to noise ratio just got ridiculous. I'm glad there are people like Stan, Ben and Andre who are willing to wade through the "write my code for me" or "Outlook is messing up but it's Notes' fault" posts, but I simply don't have the patience for it.
Comment posted by Nathan T. Freeman03/14/2008 07:53:41 PM
Homepage: http://nathan.lotus911.com
It appears that several of us shut the conversation down by pointing out that the premise was a myth. (I take no credit for being the first -- I believe Harkpabst ran the test first. He gets the Blue Ribbon.)
Comment posted by vovan05/20/2008 01:58:09 PM
Homepage: http://worldmp3downloads.com/olvis/id-artist36776/
I add it.
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