[missing-sync-palmos-talk] Re: List question

[Martin]

As with all things in life, things become useful if they can be found and if
they are organized.

> totally useless as any kind of technical
> resource.

Currently the messaages in this list (in my email box) are not organized
because each mail has the same category when it comes in. Information can
therefore NOT easily be "found" -- only easily be "searched" for.

There is a big difference in "find" and "search". The "searcher" must know
(exactly) what he or she is looking for. And the spelling be better correct!
And what if an author misspelled important words? Will a search for "synch"
come up with "sync" as result? A lot of users don't even speak english as
their mother language. Spanish would be more likely - or Chinese...

Must I set up multiple categories in my email program and attribute them to
each email message as it comes in -- to facilitate future findings?

Furthermore, I cannot search for articles in the past because I recycle and
archive my email (as should do everybody) because this keeps my application
and database slim, sporty and fast (Entourage in my case).

A forum is in every aspect better:

1. A forum can be organized in Tutorials, Stickies, numerous Subtopics (for
example synch issues vs. application install issues -- to name a few).

2. A board can allow attached images (screenshots) of problematic
constallations (error messages, lenghty log reports, window and preference
settings).

3. vBulletin also allows "related" topics which serves a novice as it offers
alternative verbage to a subject which lets the novice then successfully
search for a solution if he or she can't find it. Keep in mind that novices
often don't know how to express themselves, yet alone to "search" the
solution. A novice rather want's to "find" a solution by BROWSING magazine
style content rather than scrolling through ENDLESS emails - in ASCII...

Think about this: why does Apple use a discussion forum and not an email
list? Answer: because that company reaches out for the novice. Anybody who
encounters a problem and does not have the solution is a novice at that
moment.

Email lists are great for chatter bugs.


Martin


PS: Who wants to trouble shoot complex synching problems when without Web
connection? This is never useful as often updates have to be downloaded or
other important data can only be researched via Google or on the developer's
website.