by PrimusUltimo » November 29th, 2017, 9:56 am
Gingerbread Man wrote:For starters, this thread doesn't belong here, but in Site Discussion. This is for Firefox topics that aren't related to support, features, non-release builds, or (actual) bugs.
Thank you, for that information. I hadn't noticed that forum, which I should have; more so, as my entire post is about things being on-topic and off-topic. I apologize, and if a moderator would help me rectify the error, that would be appreciated.
Gingerbread Man wrote:I think that would go in
MozillaZine After Dark, because it's Mozilla-related but not tech-related.
"MozillaZine AfterDark" seems to very specifically not be the place for it, with the description "General chit-chat, not related to Mozilla".
Gingerbread Man wrote:As a rule of thumb, moderators have little patience if you don't want help and you're just here to complain.
True, moderators are generally an impatient lot. In this case, though, the forum description seems to be in conflict with their policy. Getting and giving help is very much not a discussion. It's also a mistake to categorize all critical expression as "just complaining". They're an essential element in all discussions.
I have done that. However, to use an analogy, the wisdom of directly contacting your elected political official (e.g. congressman), doesn't negate the wisdom of a healthy, public, political debate. The same goes for companies and customers, and developers and users. In my opinion. A lot can be said for an open discussion, even where it doesn't directly affect the decision-making.
Gingerbread Man wrote:I assure you, the ones who have used Firefox the longest have the longest list of grievances. But they tend to express that in a more constructive way, e.g. "Here's what I went through upgrading" rather than "ZOMG this is the worst WTF I hate Mozilla now!".
With no interest in how their grievances might be addressed, or curiosity about why the causes of them were created in the first place? It seems like a very passive, even defeated, attitude. Personally, I've used Firefox since Netscape was discontinued. Mostly, I've been very happy with it, and my list of grievances has been short. Possibly, it's now my turn to become a defeated cynical, but I'm happy not to be quite there, yet.
Gingerbread Man wrote:It's also sometimes a blurry line between "I need help because of a problem" and "I need help because I want to customize the browser in a highly specific way, and it's not worth bothering the support forum with that".
But they consider it OK to bother the general topic about a very specific support problem? I believe you, as I've seen it, but the reasoning escapes me.
I appreciate the information and explanation. My objections to the reasoning behind the policies you describe, aren't objections to your descriptions. They may very well be accurate, and I'm aware that you're not responsible for them.
I'd still like more input on my question, though, if anyone has more to contribute.
Edit: I notice my request was accommodated, even before I made it. Thank you, smsmith
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]For starters, this thread doesn't belong here, but in Site Discussion. This is for Firefox topics that aren't related to support, features, non-release builds, or (actual) bugs.[/quote]
Thank you, for that information. I hadn't noticed that forum, which I should have; more so, as my entire post is about things being on-topic and off-topic. I apologize, and if a moderator would help me rectify the error, that would be appreciated.
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]I think that would go in [url=http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewforum.php?f=22]MozillaZine After Dark[/url], because it's Mozilla-related but not tech-related.[/quote]
"MozillaZine AfterDark" seems to very specifically not be the place for it, with the description "General chit-chat, not related to Mozilla".
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]As a rule of thumb, moderators have little patience if you don't want help and you're just here to complain.[/quote]
True, moderators are generally an impatient lot. In this case, though, the forum description seems to be in conflict with their policy. Getting and giving help is very much not a discussion. It's also a mistake to categorize all critical expression as "just complaining". They're an essential element in all discussions.
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]Go to [url]https://input.mozilla.org[/url] to inform Mozilla of your displeasure directly.[/quote]
I have done that. However, to use an analogy, the wisdom of directly contacting your elected political official (e.g. congressman), doesn't negate the wisdom of a healthy, public, political debate. The same goes for companies and customers, and developers and users. In my opinion. A lot can be said for an open discussion, even where it doesn't directly affect the decision-making.
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]I assure you, the ones who have used Firefox the longest have the longest list of grievances. But they tend to express that in a more constructive way, e.g. "Here's what I went through upgrading" rather than "ZOMG this is the worst WTF I hate Mozilla now!".[/quote]
With no interest in how their grievances might be addressed, or curiosity about why the causes of them were created in the first place? It seems like a very passive, even defeated, attitude. Personally, I've used Firefox since Netscape was discontinued. Mostly, I've been very happy with it, and my list of grievances has been short. Possibly, it's now my turn to become a defeated cynical, but I'm happy not to be quite there, yet.
[quote="Gingerbread Man"]It's also sometimes a blurry line between "I need help because of a problem" and "I need help because I want to customize the browser in a highly specific way, and it's not worth bothering the support forum with that".[/quote]
But they consider it OK to bother the general topic about a very specific support problem? I believe you, as I've seen it, but the reasoning escapes me.
I appreciate the information and explanation. My objections to the reasoning behind the policies you describe, aren't objections to your descriptions. They may very well be accurate, and I'm aware that you're not responsible for them.
I'd still like more input on my question, though, if anyone has more to contribute.
Edit: I notice my request was accommodated, even before I made it. Thank you, smsmith :D