J
john p.
Sometimes, kind folks who post about new freeware programs, or updates
to existing programs, will provide no information other than a link to
the prog's web site. While well intentioned, this is rather
inconvenient to those of us who read off-line. If we are not familiar
with the prog, and if its function is not obvious from its name, we
are forced to dial-up and launch our browser just to find out if we
have any interest in it. Also, sometimes a program has been discussed
so frequently in the past that we tend to forget that new visitors to
the group may not know what it does. I would therefore suggest the
following protocol:
(1) When posting a notice about a program or update, please provide at
least a simple description of what the program's function is, unless
it is self-explanatory. A full-blown description is certainly not
needed if a web site link is provided, but something like "Gravity
newsreader" instead of just "Gravity" or "Pimmy email client" instead
of just "Pimmy" would be most helpful.
(2) Please try to post more than just a link to the exe or zip file
itself. I am sure there must be many others like me who prefer to find
out as much as possible about a program before downloading and
installing it. A direct link to the program is unquestionably useful
for those know what it is and are certain that they want to download
it, but please also provide a link to the program's informational
page, if possible, for those who want to learn more about it first.
Again, these are suggestions. I don't mean to be picky, or cause
anyone additional effort, but it seems to me that this would enhance
the usefulness of postings to the group.
to existing programs, will provide no information other than a link to
the prog's web site. While well intentioned, this is rather
inconvenient to those of us who read off-line. If we are not familiar
with the prog, and if its function is not obvious from its name, we
are forced to dial-up and launch our browser just to find out if we
have any interest in it. Also, sometimes a program has been discussed
so frequently in the past that we tend to forget that new visitors to
the group may not know what it does. I would therefore suggest the
following protocol:
(1) When posting a notice about a program or update, please provide at
least a simple description of what the program's function is, unless
it is self-explanatory. A full-blown description is certainly not
needed if a web site link is provided, but something like "Gravity
newsreader" instead of just "Gravity" or "Pimmy email client" instead
of just "Pimmy" would be most helpful.
(2) Please try to post more than just a link to the exe or zip file
itself. I am sure there must be many others like me who prefer to find
out as much as possible about a program before downloading and
installing it. A direct link to the program is unquestionably useful
for those know what it is and are certain that they want to download
it, but please also provide a link to the program's informational
page, if possible, for those who want to learn more about it first.
Again, these are suggestions. I don't mean to be picky, or cause
anyone additional effort, but it seems to me that this would enhance
the usefulness of postings to the group.