switching users... forget it!

[Scott DuBois]

On 07/16/2014 11:02 AM, Billie Walsh wrote:
> On 07/16/2014 12:31 PM, Scott DuBois wrote:
>> On 07/16/2014 06:39 AM, Gene Heskett wrote:
>>> On Wednesday 16 July 2014 09:10:23 Billie Walsh did opine
>>> And Gene did reply:
>>>> On 07/15/2014 11:48 PM, Scott DuBois wrote:
>>>>> Very well said Billie!
>>>>>
>>>>> This has been the most activity to come through this list since I
>>>>> subscribed many moons ago and I'm pleased to see it. Either that or
>>>>> something got broken between Google, the Linux Foundation and
>>>>> Thunderbird that is now fixed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Either way, I'm also rather new to this list and look forward to
>>>>> getting to know everyone as time moves on. I'm glad to hear there
>>>>> are lots of nice, helpful people on this list as it gives me a sense
>>>>> of being in the right place and with the right people. I've found
>>>>> that some mailing lists can be hit-and-miss with mean people that
>>>>> seem to show up and troll the good people making what could
>>>>> otherwise be wonderful conversations turn into horrible bickering
>>>>> matches.
>>>>>
>>>>> I know the original message was kind of hot and stressed what could
>>>>> have become a rather heated response from many Linux followers and
>>>>> advocates, but we also have to consider as you said, the person may
>>>>> have just had a bad day just like the person at work who out of the
>>>>> blue starts complaining about something. It happens, to many of us,
>>>>> and I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt as fire on
>>>>> fire just burns more down.
>>>>>
>>>>> I couldn't even begin to comprehend, or want to try, the relationship
>>>>> between the OP and their friend or the details behind the
>>>>> construction of said machine. I do feel a sense of awkward
>>>>> responsibility as I would really prefer everyone's fist experience
>>>>> with Kubuntu is a happy and productive one although I know this is
>>>>> completely beyond my control and I just have to accept that. In the
>>>>> time that this thread has been continuing, I hope our friend has
>>>>> been able to resolve their issue and come to the realization that
>>>>> the OS, more than likely, was not the cause of their pain but a
>>>>> victim of other hardware related issues as yourself had mentioned to
>>>>> be suspect. I also hope the OP has had an opportunity to reflect on
>>>>> the original post and thought about rephrasing such frustrations in
>>>>> the future.
>>>>>
>>>>> So is life, we press on. : )
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Scott DuBois President EBLUG BSIT Software Engineering Freenode:
>>>>> Roguehorse
>>>> Anyone can have a bad day and wind up in a situation of mouth in mouth
>>>> in before brain engaged. Been there, bought the shirt, gave it to the
>>>> Salvation Army. In fact my original response in regards to Ralf's post
>>>> was not the nicest, for which I apologize to the list. I won't swear
>>>> that you won't run into a curmudgeon once in a while, but if you do
>>>> it's best to ignore and move on.
>>> I resemble that remark, but I expect I've earned the title too. :)
>>>> The Kubuntu list is VERY quiet. Perhaps it is like my own experience.
>>>> Kubuntu just works.
>>>
>>> Cheers, Gene Heskett
>>>
>> Gene,
>>
>> I suspect we're ALL guilty of such indulgences at some point or another.
>> What's most intriguing is how the other people react. I think at one
>> point, for those who have ever had the fine opportunity to work in
>> customer service : / persons of authority try to train others how to
>> best handle such situations. Often I think it's just hard-wired in
>> people the "fight or flight" response.
>>
>> A mailing list is a little easier to deal with than a live person
>> screaming in your face belittling the things you support and believe in
>> or even the person who violently attacks you based on something you said
>> that they didn't like. In reading such instances, we can sit back and
>> think long and hard about what we've read and then make a determination
>> on how best to reply that will be most productive and present the best
>> light on the group we are representing as contributors to the mailing
>> list. I sometimes feel many people never think to consider such actions.
>> As a public mailing list, the opportunity for people to come in once and
>> kick people around can be inviting just to watch the response. As
>> ongoing collaborators, it's in our best interest to be able to dissolve
>> and manage those instances by "killing them with kindness".
>>
>> Ultimately, we want the general public to spread word that the Kubuntu
>> mailing is the most awesome collection of people who are kind, helpful
>> and knowledgeable to their subscribers. What we don't want, that I hear
>> too often about some Linux forums, is how we have mean people who are
>> condescending and rude to people looking for help and support. As Billie
>> mentioned, we want LOTS of new users coming in and asking questions as
>> well as sticking around to help even more new users. I take the same
>> philosophy everywhere I go and contribute a little something to.
>>
>>
> 
> I have learned that if you have an irate customer in your face the best
> thing to do is quietly, respectfully, listen as they rant, as long as it
> doesn't get physical, then you just call the police and let them handle
> it. For the most part all most irate customers want is to voice their
> complaint and have it addressed. There is no point in trying to explain
> what can and cannot be done till they run down. If you try to interrupt
> or explain anything till then, they just get angrier. Once they have run
> down you can reason with them.
> 
> After it's all over you can go in the back room and beat a cardboard box
> because you really wanted to rip that SOB's head off and hand it to them.
> 

Nice points : )

Trying to interrupt someone who is bent out of shape is often a bad
idea. Although not everyone can be reasoned with even after they have
spewed all their negativity at you. I usually don't take the time to
complain like many people do, I just simply move my business to their
competition in quiet defiance and let them try to figure out why if they
even care. If they do ask, I just let them know I got better product and
service somewhere else.

-- 
Scott DuBois
President EBLUG
BSIT Software Engineering
Freenode: Roguehorse